When Do Wasps Die For the Winter?
WouterDuring the fall and winter, wasp colonies go through a process called torpor. They enter a dormant state and hunker down in their waxy combs. This helps them survive the cold weather. When the weather gets warmer, the queen is able to begin laying eggs. These eggs will hatch into larvae and will feed on protein-rich insects. The young wasps continue to build the nest.
During this time, the worker wasps help the queen tend to the eggs and provide resources for the nest. They also protect the nest as sentries. They also hunt and feed carrion, which is then used to feed the grubs.
During the winter, the queen wasps spend a lot of time in deep sleep. When the weather warms, they begin to build a new nest. They use wood pulp to construct their nests. They can also build their nests within the old nest.
The nest is constructed using wood pulp, saliva, and chewed wood. These materials create a nest that is warm and insulated from the cold weather. This provides the queen with the ability to hibernate for the winter.
In the spring, the queen of the wasp colony begins to lay eggs. This process takes a few weeks. The last eggs to hatch become fertile female wasps. They will mate with other wasps and lay eggs that become new queens.
When the weather begins to warm, the queen is able to begin building a new nest. This is where she coordinates with other wasp nests and decides where to build a new colony. These nests are found in tree cavities, roof spaces, sheds, and small cavities.
