How Cold Until Wasps Die
WouterDuring cold weather, wasps enter a dormant state known as diapause. In this state, wasps slow down in activity, and their metabolism and development slow down as well. Their bodies use sun and shade to regulate their temperature.
After hibernation, queen wasps emerge from the nest and search for a nesting site. They will build a nest in a protected location such as an attic or beneath a tree bark. If they can find a suitable location, they will begin laying eggs and begin to grow and expand. In the spring, the young queens will emerge and start building a new nest.
The wasps’ colony dies off during the winter months. This is due to starvation. In addition, the shortage of food sources affects the wasps’ behavior. The social wasps, which rely on foragers for food, will stop running their nests when the temperatures drop.
The queen wasps that have already died are eaten by predators. Only sexually mated queens will overwinter by hibernating. In the winter, they can hide in crevices and deep crevasses. In spring, they will mate with the first workers and begin to build their nests.
Wasps can also construct their nests indoors to stay warm in the winter. They also stockpile food to survive the winter. They will try to find an escape route back outdoors when the weather gets colder.
While most wasps will die off during the cold winter months, a select few will be able to survive the winter months. Queen wasps that have been mated will hibernate and not emerge until spring.
