Where are all the wasps?

[Rob Heselwood]

I've not seen many wasps at all this year, but I did notice was one buzzing around me while I was trying to drink my beer outside, and would not leave me alone no matter how much I waved my arms around.

If we eat outside when its nice and warm, there are usually a few flying around our food, but not this year, thankfully.

 

Oh, I don't mind spiders at all, and let them go wherever they want.

[chrisbell-nottheweatherman]

Much prefer spiders to wasps!

 

Agreed!

[NUT]

They not been around as much last few days i've noticed. Maybe they dying off here a bit but they we're having a field day buzzing around last week

[Yarmy]

Anyway, *this* is a wasp:

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/absurd-creature-of-the-week-tarantula-hawk/

[stewfox]

What's the purpose of killing them?

 

Have you sat in a garden pub in the summer eating Jam and cream ?

 

 

Edited September 23, 2015 by stewfox

[Methuselah]

Have you sat in a garden pub in the summer eating Jam and cream ?

Islamist bees!    

[Mokidugway]

Islamist bees!    

Islamic beehad :0..

[Snowyowl9]

The bees are vanishing,wasps seen 3 nests late this summer so no real change on the wasp front.

[March Blizzard]

Not seen many wasps at all, hardly any. Bees, too. Only really seen them from around August onwards on lavender.

[Daniel*]

I have seen little in number of wasps, bees, butterflies, moths and daddy long legs is there a reason for this? Slug and snail population has done quite well I've trod on a fair few.

Strangely the flying ant season didn't turn up this year or I've been stuck under a rock which is rather bizzare last few summers there has been swarms of them - not this year.

Killing 50 wasps is is insignificant and somewhat pointless and cruel. Nature always wins human intervention is not needed.

Edited September 23, 2015 by Daniel*

[Daniel*]

Have you sat in a garden pub in the summer eating Jam and cream ?

Embrace it.

I haven't had any issues myself afternoon tea is not for the outdoors.

Edited September 23, 2015 by Daniel*

[Daniel*]

'Japanese giant hornet'

The one below has been tamed on average annually these kill 40 people in Japan.

Edited September 23, 2015 by Daniel*

[Nick L]

'Japanese giant hornet'

The one below has been tamed on average annually these kill 40 people in Japan.

image.jpg

 

That thing needs to meet fire.

[Yarmy]

'Japanese giant hornet'

The one below has been tamed on average annually these kill 40 people in Japan.

image.jpg

'Giant Hornet Tamer'. Yep, not applying for that job.

[March Blizzard]

'Japanese giant hornet'

The one below has been tamed on average annually these kill 40 people in Japan.

image.jpg

Seen an interesting documentary on those things. They attack honey bee hives, but the honey bees can kill them by completely covering them in a ball, causing the hornet to overheat and die.

However, only the Japanese honey bees have figured out this defence. European honey bees meet the Hornets one-on-one, and it never ends well for them.

You've got to marvel at the evolution behind such a creature, and how purposeful it looks, but if one is ever in my immediate vicinity I'm either running away or it's getting squashed. Zero middle ground.

[Woollymummy]

I have had a wasp nest gradually building strength on my allotment all summer, they are living in my manure pile/squash and courgette mound. Today I was trying to harvest a random potato plant nearby their entrance, when I pulled the foliage away it obviously upset them and one just flew hard straight at my forehead and bopped me hard, and then flew off. Serves me right. Sorry wasps. I won't do it again. To their credit, they munch caterpillars for a living and so they are fine just as they are, as long as I can have their nest when they are done with it for show and tell.

[Turnedoutniceagain]

Forget the wasps. It's Autumn, where are the Daddy-Longlegs ??

[Ravelin]

I have had a wasp nest gradually building strength on my allotment all summer, they are living in my manure pile/squash and courgette mound. Today I was trying to harvest a random potato plant nearby their entrance, when I pulled the foliage away it obviously upset them and one just flew hard straight at my forehead and bopped me hard, and then flew off. Serves me right. Sorry wasps. I won't do it again. To their credit, they munch caterpillars for a living and so they are fine just as they are, as long as I can have their nest when they are done with it for show and tell.

 

When living in Orlando I had wasps, probably Paper Wasps, build a nest under the eve of one of the windows (protected from the rain) in the apartment I rented one year. Not a huge colony, probably about 40-50 of them max and it was utterly fascinating watching them. All the windows had bug screens so they couldn't get inside even if the windows were open so I left them alone.

[Bottesford]

They're all here! Literally swarming they have been especially during the roasting August. Sitting outside a cafe to eat was near impossible at times as they just appear in their tens or more.

Now it's cooled a bit there are far less of them around. Will see if they come back now we're in for some sunny days.

[John Badrick]

Forget the wasps. It's Autumn, where are the Daddy-Longlegs ??

They are all here!!!! Got loads down here in cornwall, my daughter is freaking out as they are all attached to the patio doors trying to get in.Did you hear the Urban myth that the daddy long leg is the most poisonous insect in the Uk but they don't bite Hahahahaha!

[Bobafet]

They are all here!!!! Got loads down here in cornwall, my daughter is freaking out as they are all attached to the patio doors trying to get in.Did you hear the Urban myth that the daddy long leg is the most poisonous insect in the Uk but they don't bite Hahahahaha!

Lol exactly what my 5 year old thinks as well!! Forever getting rid of them as he doesn't like them very much!!

[Clair_Witch]

I had a wasps nest for the first time ever this Summer. I was totally fascinated by the detail of it. Amazing construction!

 

 

[Daniel*]

They are all here!!!! Got loads down here in cornwall, my daughter is freaking out as they are all attached to the patio doors trying to get in.Did you hear the Urban myth that the daddy long leg is the most poisonous insect in the Uk but they don't bite Hahahahaha!

I thought that was true but their fangs are not sharp enough also too small to penetrate through human skin?

[Daniel*]

Forget the wasps. It's Autumn, where are the Daddy-Longlegs ??

I caught this big fellow moments ago on cue 3 months before Christmas bit behind schedule actually!

[Boro Snow]

Well the sun's out and the wasps are back