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Fall is a busy time for many Midwestern animals. You’ve likely encountered squirrels and chipmunks rushing here and there, gathering and hiding food for winter. Many fish are feeding aggressively in preparation for the colder months as well.

With the remaining warm, sunny days, you may notice that wasps and yellow jackets become increasingly aggressive. With their colonies at peak size, and summer foliage dying off, they are forced to fight for food sources that are becoming scarce.

To avoid unwanted interactions with stinging insects, be sure to keep areas near your home free from fruit that may have dropped to the ground from trees in your yard. Also, keep secure lids on trash cans.

Though they may not actually be more active in the fall, spiders certainly can be more noticeable at this time of year. Fall is mating season for many Midwestern species of spiders.

Because many spiders only live a year or two, by the fall, they are larger and still spending time out in the open where people may encounter them. Soon, they will be moving into basements, sheds, or other places that will provide them with warmer shelter and food for the winter.