How do wasps survive winter (Spoiler: only the queens)
The life cycle of wasps is an annual miracle that begins in the late summer of the previous year. In fact, unlike bees, only young, fertilised queens survive the winter - all workers and males die off at the first frost.
Preparing for Winter
In September and October, young queens mate with males. After mating, the queens then seek a sheltered overwintering place such as hollow tree trunks, roof structures, piles of wood or cracks in buildings. Here they fall into a kind of hibernation (diapause) during which their metabolism slows down drastically.
The Winter Hibernation
During the cold months (November to March), wasps are not active. This is because the queens survive thanks to fat reserves they have built up in late summer. Their body temperature also drops to save energy. Therefore, no wasp activity can be observed during this period.
Awakening in the Spring
As soon as temperatures rise above 15 degrees Celsius in March-April, queens awaken from their hibernation. They then immediately start searching for food (nectar, juice) to replenish their depleted energy. This is the crucial moment in the life cycle of wasps - the queen must now quickly gather strength to begin nest building.
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April-May: The queen starts her own nest
After waking up, the most critical phase in the life cycle of wasps: building a nest and raising the first workers. Indeed, this period determines the success of the colony.
Searching for the Perfect Nest Location
The queen actively searches for a suitable nesting site. She therefore prefers sheltered, dark cavities such as cavity walls, attics, gutters or sheds. The queen also inspects numerous potential sites before making a final choice. Factors such as shelter from weather, temperature regulation and safety play a role.
Building the First Nest
The queen produces nesting material by chewing wood fibres and mixing them with saliva. This actually results in a papery substance that she starts building with. The first nest is only the size of a golf ball and contains about 20-50 cells.
In each cell, the queen then lays one egg. After laying, she personally supplies the larvae with food - mainly captured insects such as flies and caterpillars. Moreover, this is the only period when the queen provides food herself.
The First Workers Appear
After about 3-4 weeks, the first workers emerge from their pupae. These are slightly smaller than later-born workers because they have received less food. From this moment on, the life cycle of wasps drastic: namely, the queen stops all duties except laying eggs.
July-August: From small nest to thousands of wasps
The summer months are the most active and visible phase in the life cycle of wasps. The nest grows exponentially and can host thousands of wasps.
The Task of Workers
Workers take over all the tasks of the queen. Namely, they build new cells, feed larvae, defend the nest, regulate the temperature and gather food. Young workers stay in the nest first, while older workers go outside to forage.
A worker lives for only 12-22 days. During that time, she goes through different roles within the colony. This further explains why large colonies are constantly active - there are always wasps in different life stages.
Food requirements and hunting
Workers hunt other insects daily to feed the larvae. An average nest therefore catches thousands of insects a day, including many garden pests such as aphids, caterpillars and flies. This makes wasps very useful for natural pest control.
For their own energy, workers eat nectar, fruit juices and sweet substances. Larvae also produce a sweet liquid that workers consume - this creates a reciprocal feeding relationship.
Maximum litter size
In August, a nest reaches its maximum size. A large nest of the common wasp can then contain 3,000-5,000 workers. German wasp nests can accommodate as many as 10,000 individuals. The nest is then often the size of a football or larger.
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September: That's why they are so pushy! (And what happens next)
The final chapter in the life cycle of wasps brings dramatic changes. Indeed, the colony reaches its final stage and prepares for the survival of the species.
Production of New Queens and Males
In September, the queen switches to producing fertile females (new queens) and males. These develop from larger cells and also receive more food than regular workers. Their task is solely reproduction - they do not work for the colony.
Behaviour change: Why Wasps Become Intrusive
September is the month with the most complaints about aggressive wasps. This has an obvious cause: new larvae are no longer being produced, which means that workers no longer have any tasks. In addition, they no longer receive sweet liquid from the larvae.
Workers therefore wander aimlessly in search of sugars. They are attracted to fruit, soft drinks, beer and sweet foods. This further explains why wasps are so intrusive during outdoor activities in late summer.
The Dying of the Colony
With the first night frost (October-November), most of the colony dies off. The old queen, all the workers and males do not survive the winter. Only the young, fertilised queens seek a wintering place and then start the life cycle of wasps again.
Questions about the wasp year? I am happy to answer them
Below are the questions I get most often about how wasps live throughout the year. Is your question not here? Feel free to call me. - Johan
A wasp nest has a lifespan of only one season. It starts in April-May when the queen starts nest-building and grows until August-September. With the first night frost in October-November, the entire colony dies off, except for the young queens that overwinter. The nest itself is not reused - wasps build a new nest every year. However, old nests can attract other pests.
By September, there are no more larvae in the nest, so workers have lost their main task. Moreover, they no longer receive sweet liquid from the larvae, their main source of energy. This makes them desperate for sugars such as fruit and soft drinks. In addition, the colony is at its largest with thousands of workers, adding to the nuisance. Finally, wasps fiercely defend their nest because new queens need to be protected.
Yes, wasps are very useful! An average wasp nest catches thousands of harmful insects a day, including flies, mosquitoes, caterpillars and aphids. This makes them effective natural pest controllers. In addition, wasps play a role in pollination, although less important than bees. They also help break down dead organisms and are themselves food for birds, hedgehogs and other animals. The ecological value of wasps is often underestimated.
Have a nest removed as early as possible, ideally in April-June when it is still small. This prevents growth to thousands of wasps. Nests in dangerous places (near entrances, play areas, terraces) should also be removed immediately regardless of the season. In case of household allergies, immediate removal is essential. Don't wait until September - the bigger the nest, the more dangerous the removal. Call 085-2129904 for emergency assistance.
Yes, at the first night frost, the entire colony dies off. However, waiting until winter is not a good idea: the nest continues to grow until then and causes months of nuisance, there is a risk of stings and allergic reactions, the nest can cause structural damage to the house, and new queens may overwinter nearby and return next year. Professional removal is therefore always the safest option.
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