Fascinating Late Summer Wasp Behaviour in the UK

Summer may be winding down in the United Kingdom, but the natural world is still bustling with activity. One fascinating aspect of late summer is the behavior of wasps, which often elicits mixed feelings among people. While they can be a nuisance at picnics and barbecues, there’s much more to these insects than meets the eye. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the intriguing world of wasp behavior in late summer in the UK.

The Lifecycle of Wasps:

To truly understand late summer wasp behavior, it’s essential to grasp their lifecycle. Wasps, like many other insects, go through a series of stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. During the spring and early summer months, queen wasps emerge from hibernation to start new colonies. These queens lay eggs that hatch into worker wasps, responsible for foraging and caring for the colony.

Late Summer Activities:

As late summer arrives, the dynamics within wasp colonies begin to shift. Here are some key behaviors to watch for:

1. Increased Aggression: As the season progresses, resources become scarcer. This scarcity can lead to heightened aggression among worker wasps as they compete for food. This is when you might notice them becoming more bothersome during outdoor gatherings.

2. Food Preferences: In late summer, wasps’ food preferences change. While they primarily feed on nectar earlier in the season, they switch to a diet rich in sugary substances and proteins. They are particularly attracted to ripe fruits, fallen apples, and sweet beverages, making them a common sight around your fruit trees or sugary drinks.

3. The Quest for Protein: Worker wasps begin hunting for insects to feed to the developing larvae in the colony. This behavior can actually be beneficial to gardeners, as wasps help control pest populations.

4. Preparing for Winter: As autumn approaches, wasp colonies start to produce new queens and male wasps. These new queens will mate and find a place to hibernate, while the male wasps’ sole purpose is to fertilize the queens. The original queen and worker wasps will eventually die off.

Conclusion

Late summer is a season of change for wasps in the UK. While they may be a bit more bothersome during outdoor gatherings, it’s important to remember their vital role in the ecosystem. Observing their behavior can provide valuable insights into the delicate balance of nature and enhance our appreciation for the world around us. But if you have a Wasp infestation that is getting out of hand, our team of expert pest control technicians are on hand 24/7 – Contact us