Have you ever relaxed in your backyard on a sunny afternoon, only to be disturbed by a wasp? We’ve all had that experience. These insects are both scary and interesting. But what do we truly know about their search for food and their time spent in our gardens?
In North America, we find many kinds of wasps, like yellow jackets and hornets. Their life stages and actions differ, but there are common facts. In winter, queen wasps and their colonies sleep in cozy spots, with few making it to spring. When it gets warm, the queens wake up and start new colonies, usually in April.
By late April or early May, the workers, also called drones, appear. Their job is to build the hive and find food for their colony. They mainly look for food close to their home but sometimes go up to a kilometer away1. It’s amazing how far they travel for resources.
Worker wasps are busy gathering food during their brief lives. Sadly, they often die before reaching three weeks old. After searching for food, many become guards of the nest1. This shows how short-lived they are.
As summer goes on, wasp colonies grow quickly. A nest can make over 1000 queens in a season1. These new queens leave to start their own families2. By mid-summer, some colonies grow to 5,000–10,000 wasps2. The original queen leaves to make more queens around late summer2, and the remaining drones get more aggressive2.
When summer ends, so does the wasp season. Colder weather, below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, makes it hard for them to fly. Freezing temperatures usually kill them off2. This marks the end of their time outside.
Although we might not miss the buzz of wasps, it’s good they’re gone for some. Wasps can be bothersome, getting angry and protective when it’s cold2. Knowing about their life and search for food helps us live better with them.
Key Takeaways:
- Worker wasps gather food within a few hundred meters of the nest entrance, but can occasionally travel up to a kilometer away.
- Worker wasps spend most of their time as guard wasps by the nest entrance after foraging.
- Nests typically produce between 1000 and 2000 queens in a season.
- Once the weather drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, wasps have difficulty flying, and most die below freezing temperatures.
Where Do Wasps Go in the Winter? Do Wasps Hibernate?
In the winter, wasps face tough conditions to stay alive. Some wasps hibernate, but not all do. Very few wasps survive hibernation due to the cold and lack of food3.
Queen wasps and adults finding a spot to hibernate pick protected spots or deep crevasses. These places keep them warm and away from the cold. Hibernation slows their body down, letting them live without food or water for a long time. Yet, only a few wake up when spring comes3.
Not every wasp hibernates in winter. Some wasp species, including male wasps, die when it gets cold. Male wasps are bigger, hairier, and can’t sting, making them different from females4.
Hibernating wasps look for warm, dry places to spend the winter. Young queens, after mating, find safe spots like old tree trunks or under rocks to hibernate until spring. It’s impressive how they find the best hibernation spots5.
Hibernation helps wasps avoid the cold and lack of food in winter. They stay dormant, saving energy for spring. They don’t search for food or build nests during this time4.
Although hibernation helps some wasps survive winter, it can be a problem for homeowners. If you find wasps in your home during winter, it’s best to call pest control. They can safely remove the wasps without harm3.
Learning about wasps’ winter habits gives us insight into their survival. As winter comes, these insects find shelter and stay dormant until spring’s warmer days5.
When Does Wasp Season Start?
The wasp season starts when queen wasps wake up in early spring. These ready-to-be moms come out from winter sleep to start new colonies. They play a key role in the life of these insects6.
By April, as it gets warmer, queen wasps leave their winter spots. They look for the perfect places near homes to build nests. They find spots near food like fruit trees, flowers, and trash6. They choose places with lots of food for their colonies.
After finding the right place, queen wasps begin making their homes. They use spit and bits of dead wood to make small nests. Then, they start laying eggs67. You can find these nests in lofts, around windows, in garages, and sheds7. Each year, a queen starts a new home from scratch.
The queen’s job is to lay eggs, leading to worker wasps. The colony gets big fast, and the nest expands. A small nest can become as big as a football, holding up to 10,000 wasps in summer8.
Queens must eat to get energy before they look for food for the colony. They feed on flower nectar and help pollinate plants7. This also helps queens check out food sources and dangers nearby.
With the season’s start, queen wasps get busy building nests and laying eggs. This begins a time when we see more wasps. To handle wasp problems, it’s best to call professionals. They offer safe and effective solutions6.
| Wasp Season Starting Factors | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Emergence of queen wasps | April |
| Preferred nesting locations | Near homes with easy access to food sources |
| Queen wasp nest construction | Using saliva and dead wood |
| Size of the nest during peak summer population | Up to 10,000 individuals |
| Queen wasp foraging behavior | Visiting flowers for nectar |
When Are Wasps Most Active?
Wasps buzz around a lot in the summer, mainly from June to July. Their colonies grow big, filled with thousands of busy worker wasps. You can see them zooming in and out, gathering food and working on their home.
These workers are out and about looking for nectar and bugs. As it gets closer to fall and food gets scarce, they might get a bit grumpy. This makes it more likely for people to run into them.
Different kinds of wasps act differently. For instance, yellowjackets get snippy later in the year. They are more likely to bother you for a bite to eat in the fall9. But paper wasps? They’re cooler and usually keep to themselves unless you’re near their hangout spot9.
If wasps are causing you problems during their busy season, you might want to call in the pros. Pine State Pest Solutions can help tackle wasps like yellow jackets and paper wasps with their various pest control plans10.
Methods to Reduce Wasp Problems
Aside from calling the experts, you can try a few things on your own to keep wasps at bay. Catching queens in spring with traps is a good start. You can use lure traps or soapy water traps9.
Lure traps are great for catching those pesky worker wasps in summer and fall9. They’re tricked by special scents into the trap. Water traps use soapy water and bait to pull them in9.
For keeping wasps away from outdoor fun, there are special products. Like Onslaught, which uses a tough ingredient to fend off wasps. Another choice is the Alpine Yellowjacket Bait Station Kit9.
When dealing with wasp nests, pick a safe time to do it. Early morning or late evening is best. That’s when wasps are less active and mostly inside their nests11.
| Statistical Data | Source |
|---|---|
| Yellowjackets and paper wasps are two distinct types of social wasps found in Western states. | 1 |
| Yellowjackets become more defensive as the season progresses, with foraging yellowjackets scavenging primarily in the fall. | 1 |
| Paper wasps are less defensive and tend to shy away from human activity, except when their nests are near high-traffic areas. | 1 |
| Nests of yellowjackets and paper wasps are typically started in spring by a single queen, with colonies living only one season. | 1 |
| Populations of yellowjacket colonies can range from 1,500 to 15,000 individuals, depending on the species. | 1 |
| Trapping is suggested as a method to reduce yellowjacket problems, especially during the period where new queens first emerge in spring. | 1 |
| Lure traps and water traps are commonly used to trap wasps. | 1 |
| Onslaught, with microencapsulated esfenvalerate, is a product available for reducing scavenging wasp problems, sold as the Alpine Yellowjacket Bait Station Kit for outdoor events. | 1 |
| Late morning or late evening is the recommended time for professional nest treatment to reduce the risk of stings. | 3 |
When Does Wasp Season End?
As summer ends, so does the peak of wasp season. Usually, by late August to September, things change when the queen wasp leaves to make new queens12. Her departure changes the colony’s behavior, especially the remaining drones.
Without the queen, drones become aggressive and wander away from the nest. They switch from caring for young larvae to looking out for themselves12. This can lead to more stings during this time.
When it gets cooler and daylight decreases, wasps find less food. This scarcity and the cooler temps of September and October slow them down12. These changes signal the season’s end as wasps get ready for winter.
Most wasps die in fall, but the queen lays some final eggs. These eggs ensure wasps will return next spring12.
Wasp activity depends a lot on the season, and cold weather typically ends it12. Yet, climate change can make their season longer by warming temperatures12. But too much heat or unexpected warmth can hurt them.
To keep wasps under control and avoid stings, it’s best to get help from pest control experts12.
When Is It Too Cold for Wasps?
As soon as it gets colder, we see fewer wasps around. The chill slows them down because it’s harder for them to keep their energy up. Wasps don’t handle the cold well, which really affects their chances of making it through winter. When it’s colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they start having trouble doing simple things like flying. By the time it’s freezing, most wasps won’t make it13.
Only the queens that have mated get through the cold. They find sheltered places to stay, lower their body’s energy use, and hibernate. During this time, they make a substance like natural antifreeze to keep from freezing. Once it’s autumn, the queens stop laying eggs and focus on making new queens and males to keep their species going. Sadly, the other wasps don’t survive the winter. This leaves only the hibernating queens to carry on the next year13.
Worker wasps usually live between 12 and 22 days, according to14 some studies. But queens can live for a whole year. A wasp goes from egg to adult in about 40 to 60 days. Workers, who make up 99% of a colony, share this short life span. The queen lays hundreds of eggs daily and has a much longer life. In a healthy nest, you can find 30 to 15,000 wasps. The biggest nests can have up to 20 layers of comb14.
In winter, the survival of the colony rests on the queen wasps. They lower their body’s energy use in a type of hibernation to save energy15. Most wasps can’t make it through winter because they don’t have enough fat stored. After winter, only the queens can start new colonies. They might come out briefly on warmer days to keep their muscles from wasting away. But they don’t reuse old nests. Instead, they build new ones in spring. Wasps slow down in winter, focusing on surviving the cold. If we seal up cracks and holes, we can reduce the chance of wasps nesting in our homes come spring15.
Wasp Lifespans and Survival
| Type | Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Individual worker wasps | A few weeks or months13 |
| Paper wasps (Polistes genus) | About a year13 |
| Worker yellowjackets (Vespula and Dolichovespula genera) | Several weeks13 |
| Queen yellowjackets (Vespula and Dolichovespula genera) | One year or more13 |
How Long Do Wasps Live For?
Wasps’ lifespans vary based on their colony role. Worker wasps live 12 to 24 days from their non-stop work16. Queens can live up to a year because of their key role16. This difference shows the impact of their duties in the colony.
Worker wasps, who are females without mates, do many jobs. They build nests, feed larvae, protect the nest, and find food16. Their life spans 12 to 24 days because the queen’s pheromones keep them from reproducing16. Queens live longer, sometimes a year, because they lay eggs and keep the colony growing16.
Wasps go through certain life stages. They are larvae for 9 to 22 days, then pupate for 8 to 18 days. After that, they become adults16. This process keeps the colony going strong.
Lifespan varies by wasp species. Yet, workers usually live 12 to 24 days, and queens can reach 12 months16. Queens’ long lives, hibernation, and starting new colonies each year are key for the wasp population and nature’s balance16.
How to Get Rid of Wasps During Peak Season?
When wasps are most active, it’s crucial to keep them at bay. They are drawn to sweet stuff like nectar and fruits. So, setting traps with sugary bait can help lower their numbers17.
If there’s a big wasp nest on your property, it’s best to call in the professionals. They know how to safely get rid of wasp nests. They have the right tools and know-how to protect you and the environment17.
Wasp venom can make them angry and more likely to attack. So, be very careful when dealing with wasps. Make sure kids and pets are safe too.
- Find out where the wasp nests are. Knowing their locations helps you target them better.
- Wear protective clothes like long sleeves and pants, plus gloves and a hat, to avoid stings.
- Try using liquid insecticides made for wasps. But, remember to read the label and be safe.
- Using citronella candles or sprays can also keep wasps away. They don’t like the smell.
- Lastly, keeping your yard clean of food waste can reduce wasp visits significantly.
If you’re dealing with a serious wasp problem, it’s wiser to get help from experts. They can ensure your area is wasp-free safely and efficiently17. They’re trained to handle these issues properly.
Foraging Behavior of Vespine Wasps
Yellow jackets and hornets, or vespine wasps, show amazing foraging skills.These insects have developed ways to make the most out of their food hunts. They focus on how much food they get and how much energy they use.
The weather and surroundings affect how well these wasps find food. Things like the flow of nectar, the warmth around, and sunlight matter a lot to them.
Research has found these wasps adjust their food hunting based on how much food is around. They get as much nectar as they can when it’s plentiful. When there’s not much nectar, they find the best way to collect what’s there18.
One cool thing is how they can get warmer than their surroundings. This heat helps them move better when they’re collecting food. They have been seen getting hotter than 95°F when they’re at places with lots of energy to gain18.
Being warm helps them save energy and stay active. By catching sunlight, they get warm without using up more energy. This helps them keep a good balance of energy while they work1819.
Their hunting success is also affected by things like how much food there is. Sunlight, for example, helps them do better no matter how much food there is18.
These wasps have smart ways to use their energy for the colony’s good. They aim to get as much food as possible. If needed, they’ll cut down on costs to help the colony thrive18.
Looking at the foraging of Vespula vulgaris wasps, specialists in a colony are not as good as their generalist brothers and sisters. They do fewer good food runs and take longer. Yet, how often they’ve been out doesn’t really dictate their success20.
Comparing Vespula vulgaris and Polistes dominulus wasps shows interesting things about their heat management. Vespula wasps get warmer than Polistes ones, showing their strong ability to heat up for better food gathering19.
Getting a good understanding of how Vespula wasps handle heat when they’re getting water is key. Even though we’re still learning, it’s clear that the air and sun play big roles in keeping them warm while they work19.
Summary
Vespine wasps have become excellent at finding food by improving their energy use and eating rate. They adapt based on the food available and use heat control to be more efficient. Environmental elements, available food, and their ability to control heat work together. This ensures the colony always has successful hunts.
Conclusion
For those who love the outdoors, it’s key to know how wasps behave throughout the year. Statistical data21 shows that worker wasps in the UK live from three to five weeks. Queen wasps, however, can survive up to a year. The most common types are the Common Wasps and German Wasps, with over 9,000 wasp species found in the UK.
Wasps usually eat other insects and anything sweet, like nectar or leftovers from people. If there’s lots of this food around, especially in cities, wasp numbers can grow21. Climate change might make them live longer and stay active for more months21. Warmer weather can shorten their lives because they use more energy21.
Even though we don’t have specific numbers on how wasps find their food from links 2 and 3, we know their searching habits offer clues about what they eat and how they catch their prey22. Research has looked at how certain wasps behave and eat in different surroundings. This includes their daily rhythms and how they hunt22. Other research has looked into the hunter side of these wasps, what they catch to eat, and their searching habits22. These studies help us understand not only the typical prey of wasps but also their strategies for locating food, which can be highly efficient in various environments. An important question that arises is whether do foraging wasps sting while searching for food, as this behavior could influence how they interact with both prey and potential threats. Generally, wasps will only sting when they feel threatened or are defending their nest, rather than during typical foraging activities. Studies show that while foraging wasps may not display aggressive behavior during regular food searches, they can still pose a sting risk if suddenly threatened or provoked. Therefore, understanding foraging wasps sting risks is essential when observing them in natural habitats, as their defensive responses may vary based on the situation. These sting risks, although minimal during foraging, highlight the importance of caution when interacting with wasps in their environment.
Knowing about wasp habits helps those who spend time outdoors live alongside them more easily. Using traps in their busy season and getting expert help with big nests can keep their numbers in check21. Wasps are important for making plants grow and controlling pests. Still, they can also be bothersome and even dangerous21. By understanding and respecting their natural ways, we can make sure both people and wasps can enjoy the outdoors together.
FAQ
How long do wasps forage?
Where do wasps go in the winter? Do wasps hibernate?
When does wasp season start?
When are wasps most active?
When does wasp season end?
When is it too cold for wasps?
How long do wasps live for?
How to get rid of wasps during peak season?
What is the foraging behavior of vespine wasps?
What are the key points about wasp foraging habits and seasonal behavior?
Source Links
- https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/discover-our-research/biodiversity-biosecurity/invasive-invertebrates/vespula-wasps/life-cycle-of-a-wasp/ – Life cycle of a wasp
- https://bestbeebrothers.com/blogs/blog/wasp-season – When is Wasp Season?
- https://takecaretermite.com/blog/where-do-wasps-go-in-winter/ – Where do wasps go during winter and what happens to them.
- https://reviveabee.com/where-do-wasps-go-in-the-winter/ – Where Do Wasps Go In The Winter? (Surviving The Chill) – Revive A Bee
- https://www.trulynolen.ca/where-wasps-go-during-winter/ – Where Do Wasps Go in Winter?
- https://www.ondemandpestcontrol.com/when-are-wasps-most-active/ – When Are Wasps Most Active? – On Demand Pest Control
- https://www.hampshire-waspcontrol.co.uk/wasp-lifecycle.php – Wasp Life Cycle: Common and European Wasps
- https://www.nbcenvironment.co.uk/about-us/articles/wasp-life-cycle/ – The Wasp Life Cycle – NBC Environment
- https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=204688 – Yellow jacket traps and time of the day they are most active
- https://www.pinestatepest.com/blog/post/when-are-wasps-hornets-most-active-in-maine – When Are Wasps & Hornets Most Active In Maine
- https://reviveabee.com/when-do-wasps-leave-the-nest/ – When Do Wasps Leave The Nest (Your Friendly Guide) – Revive A Bee
- https://www.ecoguardpestmanagement.com/pest-resources/when-are-wasps-most-active – When Are Wasps Most Active? | EcoGuard Pest Management
- https://proofpest.com/do-wasps-die-in-the-winter/ – Do Wasps Die in The Winter? | Wasp Seasonality – Pest Control
- https://www.ecoguardpestmanagement.com/pest-resources/wasp-lifespan – How Long Do Wasps Live? (Guide to Wasp Lifecycle) | EcoGuard
- https://www.bannerpc.com/what-do-wasps-do-in-winter-surviving-the-cold/ – What Do Wasps Do in Winter? – Surviving the Cold
- https://beeswiki.com/how-long-do-wasps-live/ – How Long Do Wasps Live? | Lifespan Of A Wasp
- https://malumltd.co.uk/get-rid-of-wasps/ – How to Get Rid of Wasps | Guide to Wasp Control & Nest Removal
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6120671/ – Foraging strategy of wasps – optimisation of intake rate or energetic efficiency?
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3227726/ – Thermoregulation of water foraging wasps (Vespula vulgaris and Polistes dominulus)
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-41791-0 – Behaviourally specialized foragers are less efficient and live shorter lives than generalists in wasp colonies – Scientific Reports
- https://yourpestassassin.com/knowledge-base/how-long-does-a-wasp-live/ – How Long Does a Wasp Live – Your Pest Assassin
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6681282/ – Pest Control Potential of Social Wasps in Small Farms and Urban Gardens
