Time to protect against wasp attack?

[Torq]

Am over in the states for work this week but managed to get into Home Depot for a few mins and pick up the first 3 items on this page. Will be interesting to see how effective the wasp (yellowjackets in America) attractants are when used in Ireland.

 

[Midland Beek]

This summer, I have seen very few wasps but many, many bumble bees – maybe the damp and long winter had an adverse effect on the wasp population. The question is, should I install entrance restrictions in anticipation of an August wasp attack or wait until the hazard actually occurs or do nothing?

Wasp paranoia.

 

[Russel]

Wasp paranoia.

Had wasps around and in a weak colony already, so a bit of caution required.

 

[oliver90owner]

Had wasps around and in a weak colony already, so a bit of caution required.

Tell us more. Were these queens foraging, while still founding their nest? Or are these wasp colonies that have already matured to the point where they are no longer raising new workers? Somehow I think the former is likely, but exaggerated, and the latter (the real problem with wasps) is way down the calender by about two or three months, maybe more.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Might be worth keeping an eye on karol's website; some wasp IPM plans in the offing.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Haven't even seen a wasp yet

 

[Swarm]

It's much too early, only wasps I've seen are queens.

 

[davidchevell]

Wasps

Possibly a little soon to worry about wasps, strong colonies will cope look after the weaker ones . You will know when the time arrives but they might find something else to do. Have a good year .

 

[BeeJayBee]

Haven't even seen a wasp yet

Nor have I, but I did see a lovely European Hornet this morning. It's the first one I've seen in a good few years.

 

[Russel]

Had wasps around and in a weak colony already, so a bit of caution required.

Tell us more. Were these queens foraging, while still founding their nest? Or are these wasp colonies that have already matured to the point where they are no longer raising new workers? Somehow I think the former is likely, but exaggerated, and the latter (the real problem with wasps) is way down the calender by about two or three months, maybe more.

Caught this one today checking out same hive, you tell me: Queen or worker?

 

[Swarm]

Queen.

 

[oliver90owner]

As Swarm, a queen, although not an expert on wasps.

One wasp, one day, just checking out a colony of 1000s of bees I not exactly a threat to the colony?

Later in the year when worker brood is terminated will cause wasps to actually atteck hives in great numbers leading to the possible demisevof the colony.

One queen, in what is still spring, is not a real wasp problem as everybody else knows it (other than yourself) I would suggest.

 

[Karol]

Judging by the shape of her abdomen I would venture that she is a queen. Not much risk to your hive. Difficult to know if she's sweet feeding or hunting as wasps are transitioning between stages at the moment but I suspect probably hunting in which case she might take a bee or two or other insects that might naturally be present in and around the hive but that would be about it. As Oliver90owner says, it'll be at least a couple of months before wasps really become a problem.

 

[Cazza]

Might be worth keeping an eye on karol's website; some wasp IPM plans in the offing.

How do I find it?
Cazza

 

[Erichalfbee]

PM

 

[Midland Beek]

Had wasps around and in a weak colony already, so a bit of caution required.

Queen wasps often visit apiaries at this time in the season to remove small fragments of wood from the surface of beehives in order to construct their nests.