Introduction

Wasps are often misunderstood and unfairly labeled as dangerous pests. However, these fascinating insects play vital roles in balancing healthy ecosystems as predators helping to naturally regulate pest populations and as pollinators essential for plant reproduction, including human food crops. This guide explores the intricate world of wasps and how to safely, humanely and effectively deal with them when conflicts arise around dwellings.

Common Species and Nesting Habits

Over 30,000 identified species exist globally with wide variation in nesting behaviors, diet, colony sizes and aggressiveness levels when disturbed. The most frequently encountered nuisance wasps around homes are:

• Paper wasps: As their name suggests, paper wasps use chewed wood pulp to construct water-resistant nests in sheltered areas like under eaves, awnings, tree branches, bushes, fences and grill covers. Generally quite docile until nests are directly threatened. Nests contain up to 200 wasps.
• Yellowjackets: Yellowjackets prefer to excavate underground nests resembling ant mounds with constant traffic coming and going. These scavengers are strongly attracted to human foods and extremely aggressive when someone nears the nest. Colonies can explode to 4,000 wasps.
• Hornets: The largest wasp species at up to 1.5 inches long. Hornets are known for building mammoth aerial nests in trees, shrubs, or under building eaves and delivering painfully intense stings repeatedly when disturbed. Each nest houses 700 or more wasps.

The Benefits and Positive Impacts of Wasps

While some species evolved specialized as predators to help naturally regulate pest populations, others serve essential roles as pollinators facilitating plant reproduction, including crops vital for human food production. Their scavenging and hunting also returns nutrients into soil to aid decomposition. Wasps truly keep incredibly complex ecosystems balanced across terrestrial and aquatic habitats in ways science is still working to fully document.

Dealing with Problem Nests

If a nest is spotted on your property, great care should be taken when dealing with it to avoid negative outcomes. Here are research-backed tips:

• Never attempt do-it-yourself removal which almost guarantees painful retaliation stings from angry guard wasps.
• Contact certified experts like Pest Asset to treat nests after dark when all wasps are dormant inside to prevent attacks on people.
• Insecticide dusts or sprays are applied directly and solely into nest openings, killing them inside over several days but avoiding chemicals dispersed across landscapes.
• Once all activity ceases for over 72 hours, the nest is carefully removed and discarded.

FAQs on Wasps

• Do wasps pollinate flowering plants?

Yes, many wasp species are specialized pollinators feeding on nectar to produce energy to hunt prey to feed larvae back in nests. In the process, they accidentally transfer pollen between flowers as they move about foraging. Different wasps pollinate figs, orchids and more.

• Do wasps make honey?

No, wasps do not produce honey. They feed on other insects, tree sap, nectar and even meat rather than manufacturing honey. Only bees actually make honey.

• Do all wasps sting?

No, not all wasps sting! While many wasp species have stingers, some lack them entirely, and those that do possess them won’t always use them.

Conclusion

While wasp stings can undoubtedly be painful if one disturbs a nest, these insects remain incredibly beneficial for thriving ecosystems worldwide. By better educating ourselves on different species and their positive impacts, we can coexist safely through humane removal of nuisance nests by experienced professionals. Reach out to the expert wasp nest exterminators at Pest Asset to efficiently handle any wasp issues around your home today!