Have you found yourself sheltering from wasps in the past few weeks? These insects can certainly disrupt our summer activities, however their bad reputation is not fully deserved. By understanding their behaviour, we can try to avoid close interactions with wasps and learn to coexist with them.
Why are there so many wasps this year?
Wasps are heavily impacted by weather conditions, especially in the spring. When temperatures begin to rise, queens come out of hibernation to begin building their nests. Heat triggers chemical reactions in wasps that increase their activity by enhancing their ability to move and function. When temperatures cool in the early fall, activity decreases, and wasps become lethargic as they prepare for overwintering.
This year, a low snowpack and drought conditions reported in the spring, as well as warm temperatures in July were conducive to nest building for wasps. While we have noticed an increase in wasp activity here in BC, the opposite has been observed in other parts of the world. Indeed, a cold, wet season in the UK has led people to wonder where all the wasps have gone. This just goes to show how weather patterns have a significant influence on these insects.
Wasps are pollinators
As pesky as these creatures can be, they are an integral part of our ecosystems. For instance, they are a source of food for small mammals, birds, and spiders. They also provide pest control by feeding spiders and insects to their larvae. Adult wasps only feed on sugars, and therefore act as pollinators when feeding on flower nectar. There are many plant species that depend on wasps for pollination, such as fig trees.
Avoiding wasps
It can be hard to acknowledge the benefits of wasps when it feels like you’re being swarmed every time you go outside. For those who want to spend time outdoors without being bugged by wasps, here are a few tips that can help keep these insects at bay:
- When eating outdoors, make sure to keep food and drinks covered. You might even want to avoid cooking meat outdoors, as wasps are attracted to protein-rich foods.
- Avoid wearing perfume or colourful clothing.
- Keep garbage in sealed containers
- If you have fruit trees in your yard, make sure to pick up fallen fruit. Check out our Apple Capture program for assistance with your apple trees this fall!
- When wasps are around you, stay calm and walk away slowly. Swatting will only anger wasps and provoke them into stinging you.
How to treat wasp stings
If you do get stung, wash the affected area with soap and water. To reduce the pain, you can apply an ice pack for 10 minutes at a time. Other remedies include applying a baking soda paste or calamine lotion to the area. If you are allergic or suspect an allergy to wasps, seek medical attention immediately.
