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What to Expect
Educational Sessions: Gain knowledge from experts on the latest trends and technologies in pest management.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow professionals, suppliers and industry leaders to share experiences and insights.
Exhibitor Showcase: Explore products and services from leading suppliers in the pest control industry.
Who Should Attend?
This conference is ideal for pest management professionals, business owners, technicians and anyone involved in the pest control industry. Whether you are looking to expand your knowledge, improve your services or grow your professional network, this event is designed to meet your needs.
Registration Details
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your expertise and connect with peers in the pest management field. Save the dates of October 8, 2024, in Kingston, Ontario or October 11, 2024, in London, Ontario, and join us for an enriching and impactful event.
A reminder that SPMAO Events are to be used for educational, learning and networking purposes and not as a recruitment opportunity.
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It has come to our attention that some pest control companies, not affiliated with the Structural Pest Management Association of Ontario (SPMAO), are misusing the SPMAO logo and making misleading claims on their websites and business cards. This practice is both unethical and illegal, as it misleads consumers and harms the reputation of legitimate businesses.
The Issue
These companies falsely display the SPMAO logo to gain credibility, which undermines the integrity of the industry and may expose consumers to unqualified service providers.
Regulatory Involvement
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), and Health Canada have been notified of these violations. These bodies are essential in upholding industry standards and ensuring public safety.
Consequences
Unauthorized use of the SPMAO logo is a serious offense. Companies caught doing so may face legal action, including fines and potential shutdowns, and risk losing consumer trust.
Protecting Consumers
Consumers are encouraged to verify the SPMAO membership status of pest control companies through the official SPMAO website. This helps ensure engagement with reputable providers.
Steps for Consumers
SPMAO is dedicated to maintaining high standards and protecting consumers.
By staying informed, consumers can help preserve the industry’s integrity.
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In its spring budget, the federal government announced four big capital gains changes:
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September marks the beginning of cooler weather and the gradual transition from summer to fall in Ontario. Yet, despite the promise of relief from the summer heat, many people are noticing that wasps are more prevalent than ever during this time. Why does this happen, and what makes this season peak for wasp activity? There are several biological, environmental, and seasonal reasons for the noticeable surge in wasps in September.
1. End of Summer Aggression
Wasps, particularly species like yellowjackets and paper wasps, undergo a significant behavioral shift by late summer and early fall. Earlier in the season, they are primarily focused on hunting insects and helping maintain their colonies by feeding larvae. By September, however, their roles have shifted. The queen stops laying eggs, which means there are fewer larvae to feed. This causes adult wasps to change their diet from protein to sugar, and they become more aggressive in seeking sweet foods and carbohydrates.
Without the regular flow of larvae to tend to, wasps become scavengers, often turning to human food sources. They are drawn to sugary foods and drinks, fruit, and even food waste left outside. Picnics, patios, and outdoor garbage cans become prime spots for foraging wasps. This shift in their behavior can make them seem more persistent and irritating as they seek out food sources that weren’t a priority earlier in the season.
2. Colony Collapse and Competition
Wasp colonies reach their peak population in late summer. Throughout the warm months, wasp colonies can grow to house thousands of individuals. By September, the queen ceases egg-laying, and the colony’s purpose is almost complete. With no new larvae to sustain, the workers, who are already at the end of their life cycles, become less focused on nest-building and more focused on survival and foraging.
As their colonies begin to collapse, wasps can become more desperate for food. This collapse results in heightened competition among wasps, which further drives them into human spaces in search of easy meals. This behavior explains why you might see more wasps hovering around food stalls, garbage bins, and sugary drinks on your porch at this time of year.
3. Changing Diets and Attraction to Humans
The change in the wasps’ dietary needs plays a significant role in their increased visibility in September. Wasps are naturally drawn to sugary substances, and this is when they are most likely to hover around soda cans, fruit, and desserts at outdoor gatherings. The increase in scavenging behavior often leads to more human-wasp encounters, which can increase the risk of stings.
At this stage, wasps become more aggressive if they feel threatened. They may sting when disturbed while foraging, so encounters with wasps become more frequent and sometimes dangerous during this period.
4. Warmer Fall Seasons and Climate Change
Another reason for increased wasp activity in September is Ontario’s recent weather patterns. Warmer-than-usual temperatures in early fall can prolong wasp life cycles. Usually, cooler temperatures in September signal the decline of wasp activity. However, with milder autumns in some years, colonies can survive longer, and wasp activity remains elevated well into the month.
Climate change has been linked to longer and warmer seasons, which allows wasp populations to flourish for a longer period. As a result, not only are wasps more active, but their colonies can grow larger and persist later into the fall than usual.
5. Role of Fertile Wasps Preparing for Winter
By September, wasp colonies are also preparing for their future survival. Fertile female wasps (future queens) are leaving the nest to find overwintering spots where they can hibernate until the next spring. These fertile queens must find suitable sheltered locations, which can include homes, garages, and outdoor structures, leading to more visible wasp activity around human environments.
These queens are the most crucial members of the colony’s life cycle, as they will go dormant through the winter and start new colonies the following year. Their search for winter shelter may bring them into closer proximity with humans during this time.
How to Deal with Wasps in September
Given the increased wasp activity in September, it’s essential to take precautions to avoid unwanted encounters:
In conclusion, the increased appearance of wasps in September is a natural part of their life cycle. As colonies reach their peak size and prepare for winter, wasps change their behaviors, becoming more aggressive and scavenging more openly for food. Climate factors, colony collapse, and changes in dietary needs all contribute to the noticeable spike in wasp activity during the early fall in Ontario. While these insects can be a nuisance, understanding their behaviors can help reduce unwanted interactions.
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We invite you to contibute!
Please send your articles to info@spmao.ca.
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