Wasps are notorious creatures, and with notoriety come urban legends. They are often the subject of horror movies and sci-fi media due to their seemingly aggressive nature and appearance. People have a lot of thoughts about wasps, and not all of them are correct. Read on to learn about some of the most common myths and misconceptions about wasps and the truth behind them.
Myth 1: Wasps are aggressive and will sting you for no reason.
We aren’t about to tell you that wasps aren’t aggressive. Some species are. However, if a wasp stings you, that’s because you provoked it. Generally, when a wasp stings, it’s to protect their nest or to defend themselves. Stay far away from wasps, or stay calm when encountered by one, and you shouldn’t get stung.
Myth 2: All wasps are dangerous and should be exterminated.
If a wasp’s only crime is being scary, you should leave it alone. When you swat at a wasp, it will release a chemical that attracts other wasps. When this happens, you’ll have to worry about a bunch of wasps stinging you. Not every wasp is aggressive, and they play important roles in the environment.
Myth 3: Wasps are just annoying pests with no purpose.
Wasps can cause serious harm if you come into contact with their nests. However, they play a couple of important roles in the environment. For one, their predatory nature makes them efficient pest control pros. They like to eat spiders, aphids, flies and other notorious pests. They also pollinate plants, though not as efficiently as bees do.
Myth 4: Wasps are just like bees.
Bees and wasps may look alike, but they’re quite different. Bees tend to be passive in nature, while wasps are more likely to go on the attack when they feel threatened. Bees are also some of the most efficient and proactive pollinators, while wasps help out with pollination in a more passive way, pollinating flowers almost as a side effect of their other habits.
Myth 5: You can remove a wasp nest on your own.
Nests look easy and safe enough to remove, until you consider the fact that they’re full of wasps. Even small paper wasp nests tend to have a few wasps in them at any given time. Also, if a nearby wasp detects that their home is under attack, they’ll find you. If a wasp nest is in a spot where it’s likely to cause harm to you or a family member, call a professional pest control company. Don’t risk getting stung by a whole nest of wasps.
In conclusion, if wasps are living near you but not bothering you, they’re best left alone. If they’re actively bothering you, or their nest is in your home, reach out to your Des Moines pest control home team at Pro-Staff. Call us at 515-279-7378 or contact us online for a free inspection.
