May 8th, 2018 by
Ah, what would the summer be without the constant fear of being stung by a wasp? It’s more or less a British tradition at this point, with wasp nests springing up in various places across the country – in and around both domestic and commercial establishments. Wasps are certainly pests, and they are hard to shift if you don’t know the correct way to deal with them. However, there’s much more to wasps than just their buzzing sound, painful stings, and distinctive look. In actuality, there are several interesting factoids concerning wasps that most people probably aren’t even aware of. Want to know five of the most fascinating ones? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a shortlist of some of the most intriguing, surprising, and revelatory little-known secrets surrounding these winged terrors. Whether it’s having the ability to pollinate akin to the friendlier bee or refusing to die after they’ve left their mark on you – here are five incredible things you didn’t know about wasps.
1. Pollination Frustration
Contrary to popular belief, wasps can pollinate just the same as bees can. Well… almost. You see, the bee is much more adept at pulling pollen from one flower to another thanks to the hairs that cover its body. Wasps on the other hand don’t typically possess much hair, meaning that the pollen won’t stick to their body as effectively. Still, it doesn’t stop them from pollinating plants and flowers in search of that oh so sweet nectar. And despite wasps being a common pest much of the time, their fertilising ways means that there are some positives to having them around – so long as it’s not inside or outside your premises!
2. One Flew Over the Wasp’s Nest
Once a wasp nest takes hold of a certain area, they can be extremely tough to shift. One of the best ways to get rid of a nest is to use an insecticidal spray. However, did you know that an entire nest can be moved in a short space of time by the wasps themselves? Sometimes numbering in the 4000 range, these nests can be placed in a temporary area depending on whether or not the queen is content there. If she isn’t pleased with the conditions, she will leave and drag her clan along with her. What’s more, the big relocation can be completed within 48 hours after first marking their territory. Any longer than that, though, and they could be there to stay…
3. Sting in the Tail
If you do have a wasp nest nearby, it’s best not to attack it directly. That’s because wasps will only sting you if they feel you are a threat to them so it’s best to keep your distance. Sudden movements will also alert them so try to avoid nervous and jerky motions around them. If you do want to dispose of them, try a fumer or an aerosol on them. These products will give you peace of mind knowing that the wasps plaguing your establishment will ultimately meet their demise without you having to tackle them head on. Indirect action is the best kind of action when taking on wasps.
4. Refusing to Die
Speaking of wasp stings, you might be surprised to learn that wasps don’t actually die after stinging you. Unlike other similar flying insects such as bees, wasps can keep stinging you for as long as they desire without any repercussions. Of course, there are repercussions for you after being stung, but they will still live. This is due to the fact that they don’t have any barbs on their stingers, whereas bees and bumblebees do and will die right after the first sting. Because the bee’s stinger is barbed, it gets lodged into the person’s skin – ultimately leading to its death once it tries to break free. So, the next time you think you’re in the clear after one wasp sting, you best think again!
5. Survival of the Fittest
Seeing wasps in winter is almost as a rare an occurrence as seeing Santa Claus in summer, yet incredibly, there are certain types that make it through the wintertime: young queens. These tough wasps outlive the worker wasps during this period, taking refuge wherever they can before emerging again in the spring to lay eggs and build a new nest. It’s important to take care during spring as the young queens will most certainly be out looking for a place to call their new home. So, if you plan on doing any gardening work, it’s probably best to set a wasp trap to avoid any painful stings!
Comments
Leave a reply
Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required