Wasps

[holmbee]

We had very few wasps around last year - unlike the pervious one in 2020. So have been very surprised by the numbers seen in the last few days. Presumable they have surfaced with the very warm spell. There were six in the garage, two in the workshop and several in the garden and around the apiary all in the last three days.

 

[Nannysbees]

Yes we have seen quite a few, really big, must be queens

 

[The Poot]

We had very few wasps around last year - unlike the pervious one in 2020. So have been very surprised by the numbers seen in the last few days. Presumable they have surfaced with the very warm spell. There were six in the garage, two in the workshop and several in the garden and around the apiary all in the last three days.

Same here - Dorset based too. Doesn’t bode well for late Summer...

 

[Wilco]

A few here at home, I was rather enjoying seeing them though!

If you're not using them already, have a go with JBMs UFE design- as ever, the @Black Mountain Honey video on YouTube is a nice simple one to follow.

 

[JamezF]

I have also seen an awful lot of queen wasps over the last week or so.

James

 

[Busylizzie]

I caught 7 queen wasps in a trap 2 weeks ago but non since, hope I don't see any more but last year we had over 1000 caught in traps. The trouble is we can't find the nests as they are in private gardens.

 

[Buzzing44]

When I was cutting back the ivy on my fence, I noticed some large wasps come flying out. Have you seen the anti wasp bee bottom hive base by black mountain honey on you tube? Maybe worth a watch might help.

 

[Boston Bees]

The trouble is we can't find the nests as they are in private gardens.

Good. Very important species for nature.

 

[Erichalfbee]

When I was cutting back the ivy on my fence,

Well, you won’t be doing that again

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I don't understand this annual obsessive annihilation of wasps, queens in particular to be honest, it just shows a tragic lack of understanding

 

[Erichalfbee]

I don't understand this annual obsessive annihilation of wasps, queens in particular to be honest, it just shows a tragic lack of understanding

I agree. Live and let live. They do a really good job all year

 

[Pembroke]

Here's the Natural History Museum's take on wasps.

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-do-wasps-do.html
The article says that social wasps (the type we usually refer to) consume approx. 14 million kilos of caterpillars and other pests such as spiders, flies etc per year.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The article says that social wasps (the type we usually refer to) consume approx. 14 million kilos of caterpillars and other pests such as spiders, flies etc per year

some 'experts' believe that figure is per colony!!!

 

[Pembroke]

some 'experts' believe that figure is per colony!!!

Yes, I once saw an article that suggested we'd be 9 metres deep in caterpillars if all the wasps went.

I assumed (hoped) it was a typo

 

[Boston Bees]

Yes, I once saw an article that suggested we'd be 9 metres deep in caterpillars if all the wasps went.

A caterpocalypse ?

 

[Mabee]

and ‘anti-social’ wasps also contribute to killing and eating other bugs!

 

[Moobee]

Saw two lovely queen wasps this morning at the back of the house basking in the sun. Assume newly emerged.
Very glad to see some as we had zero wasps last year and a grim infestation of blackfly which I believe they predate on.

 

[JamezF]

They do need to evolve the ability to get out of a greenhouse though. I had one going absolutely bananas trying to get out of mine this afternoon. Didn't seem to be able to manage it even with all four roof vents and the door wide open.

James

 

[Moobee]

They do need to evolve the ability to get out of a greenhouse though. I had one going absolutely bananas trying to get out of mine this afternoon. Didn't seem to be able to manage it even with all four roof vents and the door wide open.

James

Bumbles are similar. I usually have to rescue at least one a day, more when the tomatoes start flowering

 

[Erichalfbee]

Bumbles are similar. I usually have to rescue at least one a day, more when the tomatoes start flowering

I do the same in the poly tunnel