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Mud daubers are solitary wasps known for constructing distinctive mud nests on buildings, walls, garages, sheds, attics, and other sheltered locations. Unlike yellowjackets, paper wasps, and bald-faced hornets, mud daubers generally do not live in large social colonies. Mud daubers can occasionally become a pest concern when their mud nests are constructed around homes, commercial…
Paper wasps are common social wasps that can be found around homes, businesses, gardens, sheds, garages, and other structures throughout Calgary and Alberta. They are named for the distinctive paper-like nests they construct from chewed wood fibres mixed with saliva. Paper wasps can become a pest problem when they build nests close to doors, windows,…
Bald-faced hornets are a distinctive type of social wasp that can be found in Calgary and other parts of Alberta. Despite their common name, bald-faced hornets are actually a species of yellowjacket, scientifically known as Dolichovespula maculata. They are recognized by their mostly black bodies, white or ivory markings, and large enclosed paper nests. Bald-faced…
German yellowjackets are aggressive social wasps that can become a serious pest problem around homes, businesses, restaurants, parks, and other properties in Calgary and throughout Alberta. They are especially noticeable during late summer and early fall when colonies become larger and worker wasps actively search for food. Unlike solitary wasps, German yellowjackets live in colonies…
What Are Thatch Ants? Thatch ants are members of the genus Formica, with the western thatching ant (Formica obscuripes) being a well-known thatch-building species found in parts of Alberta and western North America. They are primarily outdoor ants and are recognized for constructing distinctive above-ground nests made from grass, pine needles, leaves, twigs, and other…
Alberta is home to many different wasps, ranging from social yellowjackets and paper wasps to solitary mud daubers and other hunting wasps. Although many people simply call them “wasps,” these insects have very different nesting habits, diets, colony structures, and behaviours. For homeowners and businesses in Calgary and across Alberta, knowing which type of wasp…
Moisture ants are a common name used for several small ant species, particularly ants in the genus Lasius, that are associated with moist soil, damp environments, rotting wood, and water-damaged areas. In Alberta, one species reported from water-damaged homes is Lasius pallitarsis. Because “moisture ant” is a group name rather than a single species, accurate…
Yellowjackets are social wasps belonging primarily to the genus Vespula. They are among the most recognizable wasps found in Alberta, with their characteristic yellow-and-black markings, relatively smooth bodies, and organized colony structure. Several species occur in the province, including the common yellowjacket, Vespula vulgaris. University of Alberta museum records document V. vulgaris throughout Alberta, including…
Thief ants (Solenopsis molesta) are among the smallest ants that can be encountered around homes and other buildings in Canada. They are sometimes called grease ants because they have a strong preference for protein-rich and greasy foods. Their extremely small size allows them to enter tiny cracks, food containers, wall voids, cabinets, and other concealed…
Acrobat ants are small ants belonging to the genus Crematogaster. They are named for their unusual defensive behavior: when disturbed, workers may raise or curl their abdomen over their thorax, almost as if they are performing an acrobatic maneuver. Their distinctive body shape and behavior make them an interesting species to include in an Alberta…
Citronella ants are small to medium-sized yellowish ants that can be found in parts of Alberta and across much of North America. They are best known for the distinctive citronella-like or lemony odor they can release when disturbed or crushed. Although citronella ants may occasionally appear around homes, they are primarily outdoor, soil-nesting ants and…
What Are Odorous House Ants? The odorous house ant (Tapinoma sessile) is a small ant species found throughout much of North America, including areas of Alberta. It gets its unusual name from the distinctive odor produced when the ants are crushed or disturbed. The smell is often described as similar to rotten coconut or a…