How Do Wasps Stay in the Hive in Winter?
During the colder months of the year, many wasps die off. The main reason is that their food sources disappear. They cannot survive without them. So, in order to survive, they construct nests. The nests are constructed in warm areas. The wasps will build the nests in unused wood, or in a corner of a building. The nests are built using saliva and chewed wood pulp.
During the summer, wasp colonies grow rapidly. The queens lay eggs in the nests, and the workers collect nectar from flowers and insect food for the larvae. During the autumn, they prepare for hibernation. This process involves fanning the wings to keep the nest warm. They also collect water for the nest. They also care for future eggs.
When the weather warms up, the queen lays eggs in the nests. The larvae feed on protein-rich insects. The queen then emerges from the nest. She changes her appetite to ensure that the larvae will survive. The nest will also change to prepare for spring. The queen will then mate with another female to form a new colony. The new queen will lay eggs in the nests.
When the weather begins to get colder, the queen and the male workers will die. The female paper wasps will hide in warm attics and wall voids. They may also make their way into the living areas of a home.
The Western yellowjacket, the German yellow jacket, and the bumble bee are three types of wasps that will live through the winter. Their bodies are black and yellow.