Where are all the wasps this summer?

[Impret-Sir]

I remember being plagued with the ******* in years gone by, especially eating outside, but this year I dont think I have seen a single one, not that I miss them exactly, but have they become scarce this year?

[WendyS]

No - every single one of them is now in our garden, where they're turning our al fresco meals into a nightmare.

Heaven only know what it will be like in early autumn when all the plums, apples and pears start to ripen.

Unfortunately I don't know of any birds which eat wasps, even the swallows which are currently flying around overhead, so with no known predators, they seem bound to flourish.

[~Wingnut~]

Hi Impret-sir

I remember this being asked about this time last year and someone said that they don't come out in full force until August!!


Poor you Wendy :o(
You'll have to smother yourself in citronella and keep your fingers crossed. Damn things I hate them!

[Cetti]

The worker wasps are in full employment most of the year tending the needs of the queen, enlarging the nest and catching food for the next generation. This is where wasps are a gardeners friend destroying large numbers of insect pests to feed the grubs. In return the workers feed off a sweet substance that the grubs supply.

But.....towards the end of August their work is done. Larger cells are made, new queens develop. Males are produced at the same time. The new queens leave the nest and mate with them. The males die and the colony disintegrates. The queen stops laying, thus depriving the workers of their sweet substance , so this is when they become a nuisance. Unemployed and needing their daily fix of sweet liquid they go in search of other sources containing their much need sugar.

[DaniiDanii]

too hot, hee hee!

[Aura]

Sounds like my neighbour!