Where Are All The Wasps

[recklessabandon]

notably absent around here, however, it has been a poor summer all around for insects. much as though many of us loath wasps and wish they would all vanish, there is a much more complicated issue with the general lack of insects; bats. The numbers of bats this summer have suffered horribly, the very wet summer has not only reduced the numbers of insects, but also the mating opportunities for insects (hence numbers) and foraging opportunities for bats. The wasps we notice, as many of us despise them, but their low apparent numbers are symptomatic of wider issues in our natural world due to the abysmal summer.

[Rainy]

Saw some at the recycling centre sipping the dregs from the booze cans... hic.. Still none here around the garden, even though blackberries and some apples are available,

[leicsnow]

Normally I start getting them in my house late July onwards, but only had a single one this year, in my kitchen at the end of July. Although I have started to see a few knocking around recently, albeit small ones but I guessed it's because it is September and that is when they are known to be notorious.

[stewfox]

Seen hardly any this year which is good news for them and me.

[Chris K]

I haven't seen any wasps this year at all to be honest which is unusual.

However, there has been noticeably more bees (bumbles and honey bees)around my garden compared to last year. Considering its been a relatively poor Summer, I'm slightly surprised.

I like bees though. Wasps are just pointless??

[Mark Bayley]

I have noticed the lack of wasps, i've hardly seen any all summer. Not seen any noticeable lack of bees though, an insect i have no problem being around!

[sundog]

Hardly seen any wasps this yr at all. One insect i have seen alot of since july is the daddy long legs or horsefly or whatever their called.

[gottolovethisweather]

Hardly seen any wasps this yr at all. One insect i have seen alot of since july is the daddy long legs or horsefly or whatever their called.

Cranefly. Bee careful not to confuse the daddy long-leg spider with daddy long-legs too, two different animals.

Edited September 4, 2012 by gottolovethisweather

[Methuselah]

I've seen a few wasps chewing wood, over the past few weeks, so I'm hoping they've been tricked into autumn nest-building. A nice '63-type winter would go some way towards wiping-out next year's brood?

[chionomaniac]

I've just had three in the kitchen whilst preparing tonights BBQ. I think the lure of chicken satay and sticky ribs is too much for them.

[Cheshire Freeze]

I've seen a few wasps chewing wood, over the past few weeks, so I'm hoping they've been tricked into autumn nest-building. A nice '63-type winter would go some way towards wiping-out next year's brood?

A nice '62-'63 type winter will do everyone the world of good Chances of it happening......<0.1%

[Crepuscular Ray]

Judging by my experience at lunchtime, they're all in the garden of a pub in Compton in Surrey! Hundreds of the evil little blighters.

[Hathers]

I think I've only seen one wasp all summer. We've had plenty of slugs, every morning I have to clear them out of our rabbit hutch, I don't think I've ever seen so many. I'm dreading the house spider making an appearance, role on the first frost which should get rid of them.

[AWD]

It has been lovely this year. Hardly any wasps all year, especially compared to the last few years.

Plenty of bees, but very few wasps.