Did You Know That Wasps Serve a Purpose?
WouterUnlike bees, wasps don’t make honey. They hunt insects that feed on plants and flowers, such as caterpillars and whiteflies. They also hunt insects that carry disease. They help keep the ecosystem balanced, and they serve a vital role in pest management and biological control.
Most wasp species are eusocial. This means they live in nests with an egg-laying queen. The queen wasp is larger than the worker wasps. The workers build the nest, and they also care for the queen.
Wasps build their nests in cavities and crawlspaces. They usually nest in wall cracks. They also nest in the eaves of homes.
In the summer, wasp colonies reach their peak size. In the winter, the male wasps die off. This happens because they don’t have enough food. They also die off because of freezing temperatures. They don’t store food for the winter.
Wasps feed on rotting fruit, caterpillars, whiteflies, greenflies, and aphids. They also pollinate plants. Some species also feed on honey bees. They are also known to attack beehives.
Wasps sting when they feel threatened. They have venomous stingers that can hurt your eyes, mouth, and face. They’ll sting you multiple times. But they’ll also hurt if you swat at them.
Some species of wasps are parasitic, meaning they live in the bodies of other pest insects, and they feed on their larvae. These parasitic wasps are helpful to farmers who protect their crops. They can be attracted to sweet food left out on patios and gardens.
