Most wasps only linger near bright fixtures at dusk to hunt other insects before retreating to their nests. You mainly need to worry about European hornets, as this specific species naturally flies after dark and is strongly attracted to artificial light.
Different kinds of wasps react differently to outdoor lighting. Once you know how behaviors vary from species to species, it will help you know what to do about it.
Bald-faced hornets are, despite the name, a type of yellowjacket. They build gray paper nests that you can often find on trees and structures. They forage during daylight and settle at the nest by dark. You might see a few near a bright light at dusk, particularly late in the season, but they are not the ones that are most likely circling your porch fixture at midnight. Other yellowjackets behave the same way.
European hornets are different. They will fly around at night. They’re the large, brown and yellow ones, and they’re well-established in Michigan. They are strongly attracted to lights and will repeatedly bump lit windows and fixtures at night, which can alarm homeowners. The lights draw in moths, beetles, and midges. All of those insects, among others, draw in hungry European hornets looking to hunt.
To reduce the presence of wasps around your lights, switch exterior bulbs to warm-toned or yellow LEDs. These attract fewer prey insects and give European hornets less of a reason to come around. It also helps to close curtains so interior light does not spill outward.
If you see a lot of wasps around the house, look for the nest. Steady two-way traffic to one spot can help you tell where the nest is. If you think wasps are nesting inside walls or soffits, call a professional for treatment. Avoid the temptation to seal the entry hole: this won’t work and will cause the wasps to find another way out, possibly inside your home.
If stinging insects are working around your house, Mosquito Squad of Grand Rapids can help. Mosquito Squad locates and removes stinging insect nests and treats the spots where they build. This will help you protect your yard through the season.
