Can Wasps Get Drunk?
WouterDuring summers, wasps are often sent on a sugary frenzy, causing them to turn to fermented fruit, such as apples, for sustenance. They will eventually die out as autumn comes, but for now they will continue to party, raiding any sugary food source they can find.
Wasps can be a real nuisance, but they aren’t really a threat to humans. In fact, they’re beneficial for controlling invasive pest species. Their diet includes sweet foods like apples and sugar, which they use to stun their prey. They are also a great pollinator, helping to bring flowers to life. They can also be useful for controlling a number of invasive pest species, such as ants and cockroaches.
However, wasps can become drunk, and they can even sting humans. The latest weather conditions have made Britain a prime breeding ground for a range of dangerous flying insects, including ‘lager lout’ wasps, which are attacking British pubs and beer gardens.
These ‘lager lout’ wasps have built up huge nests, and they’re turning to fermented fruit for food. The fruit is fermented naturally, and it contains alcohol, which the insects consume.
However, drinking alcohol can make wasps more aggressive, and they can also get ‘irritable’. They tend to sting more people if they’re drunk.
However, experts are warning that wasps could be more likely to get stung by humans if they’re drinking alcohol outdoors. The insects could be more prone to grayanotoxins, which are chemicals which can be poisonous to humans.
