Wasps – Are They Bad For Your Garden?
WouterDespite the bad press wasps have received over the years, they are actually very beneficial insects to have in your garden. They help control pests and pollinate many plants.
Some wasps have a reputation for stinging humans, but most wereps are harmless. If you are allergic to bee stings, it is advisable to avoid planting strawflowers and other flowers that are known to attract wasps.
Wasps are generalist pollinators and eat insects, ants, spiders, beetles and other pests. They also eat honeydew and fruit. Among the insects they eat are beetles, grubs, spiders, and even some kinds of caterpillars.
Some wereps are social, while others are solitary. Social wasps include hornets and paper wasps. Unlike solitary wasps, social wasps build their own nests. Social wasps are incredibly beneficial to gardens, and they help to control insects.
Unlike solitary wasps, paper wasps are very aggressive predators. They take caterpillars and other harmful caterpillars from your garden. The adult paper wasp carries the caterpillars back to its nest to feed them. During the nesting season, paper wasps collect large numbers of caterpillars. They also feed on beetle larvae.
Social wasps control pests, especially spiders and greenfly. Social wasps capture 14 million kilograms of insect prey each summer in the UK. As the days shorten and the season progresses, the population of social wasps decreases.
If you see wasps in your garden, they may be building a nest or swarming around a tree. If you notice a nest, call a professional. Wasps may be aggressive if they find their nest disturbed.
