Wasps are often misunderstood creatures. Believed to be only aggressive, stinging pests, these insects have a bad reputation. Beyond what you already know about wasps, there’s plenty more to learn. Knowing more about them can help you protect your home and even understand how to deal with a wasp problem. Read on for some interesting facts about wasps.
Valuable Pollinators
Most people believe wasps are simply annoying, aggressive pests and nothing more. This is far from the truth. They play a significant role in the ecosystem as valuable pollinators. Wasps are often called incidental pollinators because they don’t intentionally pollinate plants. They pick up pollen on their bellies as they feed on nectar. They then carry this pollen and transfer it to the next plant they feed on. So while they may not pollinate as effectively or intentionally as bees, they’re still valuable pollinators and play an important role in the ecosystem.
Natural Pest Control
Along with their pollination abilities, wasps act as natural pest control. While nectar is a major food source for wasps, they’re also predators that feed on small insects. Aphids, spiders and flies are just some of the insects wasps prey on. Not only is this helpful for maintaining balance in the ecosystem, but it can also be a major benefit of having them in your garden.
Colonies Generally Die Off Within a Year
Many people are unaware of the wasp’s lifecycle and how it affects when you’re likely to spot them. The lifecycle of a wasp colony generally lasts for one year. It starts with the queen, who hibernates over the winter. Once spring arrives, she builds a nest and lays eggs. The first eggs to hatch will be worker wasps, who will help build the rest of the nest and forage for food. When summer begins, the colony grows rapidly. That’s why wasps tend to be more of a problem for people during the warmer months. In fall, the queen reaches the end of her lifecycle, and the colony dies off. Over the next winter, the new queens hibernate, then emerge to begin a new colony of their own.
Not All Wasps Live in Colonies
Now that you’re an expert in the life cycle of a wasp colony, it’s important to know that not all wasps live in colonies. While these colony wasps are called “social wasps,” wasps that prefer to fly solo are called “solitary wasps.” These wasps have no queen and no colony structure. This means that there’s no shared responsibility to protect the nest or forage for food. Solitary wasps are also generally not as aggressive as social wasps. Examples of solitary wasps include mud daubers and cicada killers.
Nests Can be Difficult to Spot
Wasps tend to build their nests in sheltered areas, making them easy to overlook. Under eaves, inside wall voids and even underground are common places for wasps to build their nests. Likely, you won’t notice a wasp nest until you come across a wasp trying to defend it. If you do spot one, it’s best to leave it alone. Wasps are more afraid of you than you are of them, and, generally, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.
Wasps Don’t Sting for No Reason
Wasps get a bad rap. They’re often believed to be aggressive for no reason, but this isn’t true. A wasp will rarely sting you without cause. Usually, they attack because they feel that their nest is threatened. Their objective is to defend their nest against danger. This goes for both social and solitary wasps. Even though solitary wasps are generally less aggressive, they will sting if they sense their nest is threatened. Loud noises, sudden movements or other disturbances will sound the alarms. To avoid being stung by wasps, steer clear of their nests.
You Shouldn’t Try DIY Wasp Removal
Since wasps become aggressive when defending their nests, it’s best to avoid any DIY wasp nest removal methods. Not only can wasp stings be extremely painful, but they can also pose serious health risks if you’re allergic. Wasps can, and often do, build their nests in hard-to-reach places, making it difficult and even dangerous to try to reach one yourself. Calling a professional pest control team is always your best bet when it comes to wasp removal. They have the tools and knowledge to get the job done safely.
If you’re dealing with a wasp problem or have noticed a nest near your home, don’t hesitate to call the Des Moines pest control experts at Pro-Staff at (515) 279-7378 or get a free quote online!
