What time of year do stinging insects become active in Oklahoma?
Because of the hot climate in Oklahoma, stinging insects like wasps, bees, and hornets are active in our state throughout most of the year. This can be a problem for local homeowners, since stinging insects often nest in lawns and around homes, attacking those who come too close.
This is the typical timeline of wasp and hornet activity in Oklahoma:
- Spring: In Oklahoma, stinging insect queens become active in March and April after overwintering. During this time, bee and wasp queens will begin seeking out good locations to build their nests. Homeowners usually don't have issues with stinging insects before late spring.
- Early Summer: In May and June, stinging insect colonies in Oklahoma grow very quickly as nests are built and the bugs begin to reproduce. Early summer is when hornets and wasps first begin building their nests around homes in the state, starting to become a nuisance to residents.
- Late Summer: Stinging insect activity peaks during mid to late summer in Oklahoma. During July, August, and September, wasp and bee colonies reach their maximum size and the insects are always searching for food. As a result, stinging insects - especially bald-faced hornets and yellowjackets - become the most aggressive during late summer, which is when stings are most likely to occur.
- Fall & Winter: As temperatures plummet during fall, stinging insect colonies begin to die off and activity sharply decreases. If you've been having stinging insect issues around your home in Oklahoma, expect sightings to decrease substantially during October before the wasps completely disappear in November. Only fertilized queens survive, holing up in overwintering sites to prepare for next spring.
Have you been having trouble with stinging insect activity on your property? Reach out to Champion Pest & Lawn today if you're in need of stinging insect control services in the greater Oklahoma City area!