Hornets and wasps frequently become unwelcome visitors near homes, particularly as the weather warms. While often perceived as aggressive, their presence is usually driven by a search for essential resources: food and shelter. Understanding the specific attractants that draw them to your property is the most effective way to minimize encounters and prevent a nearby nest. Their behavior is highly predictable, changing throughout the season as the colony’s needs evolve.
The Appeal of Sugars and Proteins
The diet of social wasps and hornets changes significantly depending on the colony’s life cycle. Early in the season, from spring through mid-summer, the primary attraction is protein. Worker wasps hunt insects and scavenge for meat scraps to feed developing larvae in the nest.
The larvae require protein to grow, and in return, they secrete a sugary fluid that adult workers consume. This exchange sustains the colony during its rapid expansion phase. Consequently, exposed pet food, picnic meats, and open garbage containing protein waste are powerful attractants during this time.
The dynamic shifts in late summer and early autumn when larval production slows or stops. Adult workers require simple carbohydrates for energy but lose their internal sugar source from the larvae. This causes them to aggressively seek external sources of sugar, leading to increased interaction with humans. Uncovered sugary drinks, spilled soda, overripe or fallen fruit, and unrinsed recycling containers become irresistible targets.
Scents and Visual Cues
Beyond food, wasps and hornets are heavily influenced by sensory triggers, primarily scent and color. They rely on smell to locate food, and strong fragrances can inadvertently mimic the sweet, fruity odors they seek. Highly scented personal care products, such as perfumes, hairsprays, and floral lotions, may be mistaken for a natural nectar source.
The smell of fermentation is also a strong olfactory cue that attracts scavenging wasps and hornets. This odor, often associated with overripe fruit or alcohol, signals an energy-rich food source. Loosely sealed compost bins and overflowing trash receptacles containing fermenting organic matter are major points of attraction.
Visually, these insects are drawn to colors associated with rewarding food sources in nature. Bright, floral colors—particularly yellow, white, and bright blue—attract them because these hues often signal the presence of pollen or nectar-producing flowers. Wearing clothing or using outdoor decor in these bright colors can inadvertently invite investigation.
Environmental and Nesting Factors
The need for a safe, protected location to build and expand a colony is a significant factor drawing hornets and wasps to a property. They require shelter from the elements, especially rain and direct sun, making structural overhangs highly desirable. Common nesting sites include areas under eaves, soffits, and deck railings.
Certain species, such as yellowjackets, are cavity-nesting insects that seek enclosed spaces. They may enter homes through small openings, such as unsealed cracks in siding, un-screened attic vents, or gaps around utility lines, to build nests within wall voids. Secluded structures like sheds, garages, and hollow trees also offer the quiet, undisturbed environment they need for the colony to thrive.
Some species require specific materials to construct their nests, which can also be an attractant. Hornets create their distinctive paper nests by chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva. Weathered wood on fences or sheds may be scraped by workers to gather cellulose for building material. They also need access to water, making leaky outdoor faucets, birdbaths, and pet water bowls secondary, but necessary, environmental attractants.