A Question On Wasps?

[Tiercel 6,986]

Been reading about wasps for the last few years and how the numbers of nests fluctuate from year to year. Of course that is a natural occurrence, given weather and local favourable or non favourable conditions. A few questions have sprung to mind.

 

Does a nest produce the same numbers of queens each year or is it haphazard in the selection of the queens? If a nest only produces one queen each year would that mean that for each nest destroyed there would be one less nest next year?

 

Does each area fluctuate from year to year? Say you have a bumper year this year, does it follow that you have a quieter year the next?

 

I understand that the type of Winter we have will have a bearing on the amount of queens that survive the Winter, so will where the wasps decide to nest as to whether you will be called out or not.

 

This year to date I have seen two wasps and those have been in the last six days. We usually have at least one nest somewhere around the house every year, but this year I have not even seen a wasp nest anywhere in the area.

 

TC

[ratattack 111]

Each nest produces upto 1500 queens, most die over winter by being eaten by spiders or warm winters bringing them out of hibernation early. Numbers fluctuate naturally but 2008/9 (I think it was) was a very good year! I did 800+ That year!

 

There's plenty wasps around Wiltshire that's for sure it may just be you don't notice them. I found a nest in a roof yesterday when at a friends wedding when just stood drinking pimms.

[shropshire mole 190]

I read a good article today from the BPCA all about social wasps. It was on their latest downloadable magazine PPC84 September 2016

[Tiercel 6,986]

Each nest produces upto 1500 queens, most die over winter by being eaten by spiders or warm winters bringing them out of hibernation early. Numbers fluctuate naturally but 2008/9 (I think it was) was a very good year! I did 800+ That year!

 

There's plenty wasps around Wiltshire that's for sure it may just be you don't notice them. I found a nest in a roof yesterday when at a friends wedding when just stood drinking pimms.

I had not googled it on purpose, as I thought it might be worth getting the people who deal with them on a regular basis views first. I can usually spot a wasps nest in an area as I am allergic to the stings and get a really bad reaction if stung, so I am always alert to wasps. But even picking blackberries this year they have been conspicuous by their absence and not feeding on the ripe fruits.

 

What percentage of a possible 1500 queens do you think reach maturity?

 

TC

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

Tiercel old friend,....if you get five minutes ,..do take a quick peek at this website,.it should answer a few questions..

 

www.hampshire-waspcontrol.co.uk

[BRY 79]

Seems South Wales are short on wasps this year mate, im right down on numbers and a few other pesties i know around too

Edited September 12, 2016 by BRY

[j j m 6,539]

Not saw many in Newcastle this year

[walshie 2,804]

This part of Wales isn't short of them. We have 3 trees that are full of them taking the bark to make nests.

[stormyboy 1,352]

More likely feeding on aphid secretions Bud. Willows particularly prone to it.

[walshie 2,804]

More likely feeding on aphid secretions Bud. Willows particularly prone to it.

 

They are willows actually.

[Torquemada 288]

What about Birch trees? I have seen 2 ornamental birches in the last week absolutely crawling with them. Couldn't see any aphids on them though.

[mole trapper 1,693]

Finally having a good season down here, been terrible the last five or so.

[shropshire mole 190]

Edited September 13, 2016 by shropshire mole

[stormyboy 1,352]

No offence shropshire, but you should be fully aware of insect biology and how the product you are using works before using it...

[shropshire mole 190]

Over the last 2 mornings have been up at 5am for my main job.

Let dogs out in garden. Both mornings wasp have come into kitchen and others on the glass outside.

 

It is very dark at 5am. I would have thought the wasps would be tucked up in the nest .

 

Do wasps hunt at night? And then are attracted to the uv light in kitchen??

Edited September 16, 2016 by shropshire mole