It's common knowledge that wasps aren't the most popular insect around, in fact I've heard many question the point in their existence altogether. I suppose this resentment is understandable - after all these angry little creatures appear to enjoy striking fear and pain amongst the human population. However, since all species exist only where there is opportunity to do so, we must assume that wasps too have some purpose to fulfil.
The truth is wasps do a great lot of good in the garden! They control numerous pests such as aphids and some species even pollinate plants. Their nests are delicate papery balls constructed by the queen. You may have even heard a wasp scraping a wooden surface with its mandibles to create the pulp needed for it's new pad.
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| I spotted this nest inside my chicken house |
Did you know that only female wasps can sting? They tend to become more aggressive towards humans at the end of summer from August to September. This is because they switch their eating habits from insects to gorging themselves on rotting fallen fruit. The fruit has an alcoholic effect which causes the wasps to become easily irritated and prone to a few drunken brawls (perhaps you can relate/sympathise!?)
Despite their flaws wasps really are fascinating insects. There are hundreds of thousands of different species in every colour of the rainbow (many of which can't sting at all.) Consider not destroying a nest if you are able to just avoid it for a while. If you ignore the wasps they will likely ignore you too!
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