August 2026 Newsletter
From the Desk of Tom
August is when several pest and wildlife issues that have been developing quietly all summer suddenly become much easier to notice. Wasp and hornet colonies are now large, busy, and highly protective. At the same time, young bats are becoming strong flyers and maternity colonies are beginning to disperse, which can lead to more bat sightings around homes.
This month's update focuses on what to watch for and a few simple prevention steps. A little observation now — especially around rooflines, window air conditioners, decks, sheds, and outdoor gathering areas — can prevent a much bigger surprise later.
— Tom Drapeau
Freedom Pest Control
Pest of the Month: Wasps & Hornets
Social wasp colonies begin with a single queen in spring. By August, those colonies may contain hundreds or even thousands of insects. This is often the first month homeowners notice a large paper nest, steady traffic into a wall opening, or yellowjackets entering a hole in the ground.
What to Look For
- Repeated flight to one opening in siding, soffits, vents, or roof edges
- Paper nests in trees, shrubs, under eaves, decks, or porch ceilings
- Yellowjackets entering the ground near walkways, gardens, or play areas
- Wasps appearing indoors near windows or ceiling lights
Important Yellowjacket Warning: If you repeatedly see even a few yellowjackets flying toward the same area of your home, there may be a concealed nest in the siding, soffit, attic, or wall void. Have the activity inspected while the insects are still easy to follow. If the nest is not located and removed, yellowjackets may begin finding their way indoors during September, October, or November. Once colder weather reduces outside flight activity, locating the original nest entrance can become much more difficult.
Reduce the Risk
- Keep trash and recycling containers tightly closed
- Clean up outdoor food, sugary drinks, and fallen fruit promptly
- Watch flight patterns from a safe distance rather than approaching the nest
- Keep children and pets away from suspected ground nests
Do not seal an active opening in a wall. Trapped wasps may search for another exit and end up inside the living space. Nests near doors, walkways, play areas, or people with sting allergies should be evaluated professionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Animal of the Month: Bats
By August, this year's bat pups are becoming capable flyers. As maternity colonies begin to break up, young bats and adults move around more and explore new places to rest or roost. That added movement — not a sudden population explosion — is why homeowners may notice more bats near rooflines or occasionally find one inside.
Signs to Watch For
- Bats leaving the same roofline gap around dusk
- Droppings below soffits, fascia boards, vents, shutters, or attic openings
- Light scratching or squeaking from an attic or wall void
- A bat appearing in a room, especially overnight
Bats can use surprisingly small openings, so exclusions should be based on a complete inspection rather than simply closing the most obvious gap. Timing also matters because bat-removal rules differ between Massachusetts and New Hampshire and are designed to avoid trapping flightless young.
If a bat is found in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child, or anyone who may not reliably know whether contact occurred, keep people and pets away, contain the room if possible, and contact local public-health or animal-control officials for guidance before releasing it.
This Month's Homeowner Tip: Check Your Windows
Window air conditioners and double-hung windows can create easy bat entry points when they are not fully secured.
- Confirm that the foam side panels or inserts beside every window A/C unit completely fill the gaps and are firmly secured
- Check the space between the lower and upper window sashes; settling or a loose installation can leave an opening above the unit
- Make sure the upper sash of every double-hung window is pushed completely closed and locked
- If a window has no screen or only a partial screen, keep both sashes fully closed whenever the window is unattended
- Replace torn screens and inspect loose trim around the window frame
A gap that looks minor from the room may be a very inviting doorway from the outside. Tiny gap, wildly inconvenient houseguest.
Rat Population Watch
Late summer provides rats with abundant food and cover. Gardens, fallen fruit, outdoor dining, unsecured trash, pet food, and dense vegetation can all support activity close to buildings.
Look for fresh burrows near foundations, sheds, dumpsters, retaining walls, and thick groundcover. Keep lids closed, remove fallen produce, avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and trim vegetation away from structures. Treatment works best when food, shelter, and entry points are corrected at the same time.
Not Sure What You're Seeing?
Wasp traffic, bat droppings, and small building gaps can be easy to misread. If something around your home does not look right, take a photo from a safe distance or request an evaluation. We are happy to help identify what is happening and explain the next step.
Not Sure What You're Seeing?
Seasonal pest and wildlife activity is predictable — but it's not always easy to tell what's normal and what isn't. If something seems off, it's worth taking a closer look. Learn more by requesting an evaluation below!