What Cold Temperature Kills Wasps
WouterDuring the winter, wasps go into a dormant state, called diapause, and are less active. Depending on the wasp species, wasps may remain inactive for days or even weeks at a time. These wasps can live in various habitats, including tropical forests, hot deserts, and even homes.
When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, wasps begin to slow down their metabolic rate. This reduces the amount of energy they have available for flying and foraging for food. These wasps are also more vulnerable to predators.
If conditions in the nest begin to get too cold, some wasps will abandon the nest. This is a common reaction of nesting wasps to extreme weather. Wasps that cannot fly or feed will starve. These wasps can be found in a variety of habitats, including homes, garages, attics, and sheds.
The queen wasp will hibernate. When temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the queen will enter a dormant state. She will seek shelter from the elements and start a new nest in the spring. In the meantime, worker wasps will continue to take care of the queen. The queen will lay eggs and begin a new colony.
Wasp colonies can grow to several thousand or even more than ten thousand wasps. In order to survive, they must stockpile food for the winter. They also have to rely on foragers for protein and nectar. Without these foragers, the colonies will not be able to survive.
