If you’ve ever experienced the unsettling sight of a wasp or hornet infestation on your property, the memory of buzzing nests and aggressive stings can be hard to forget. Understandably, many people assume that once their home or yard has been a target for these stinging insects, it’s only a matter of time before they return. However, a past wasp or hornet infestation doesn’t necessarily dictate a future one.

Unlike honeybees, wasp and hornet colonies are not static entities. Each year, new queens emerge and seek out suitable nesting sites to establish their colonies. While past infestations may indicate that your property is attractive to these insects, it doesn’t guarantee their return. Factors such as environmental changes, availability of resources, and competition from other colonies can influence their nesting behavior. As a result, even if you had wasps or hornets on your property last year, they are likely to choose a different location if they return.

The key reason for this lies in the behavior of wasps and hornets. Most species build new nests each year from scratch rather than reusing old ones. In the fall, after the first frost, colonies generally die off, and only the new queens survive by hibernating in sheltered places. These queens, come spring, search for new nesting sites, which may or may not include your property.

Ultimately, while a past wasp or hornet infestation can be alarming, it doesn’t mean your property is doomed to be a perennial target. ◆