Avoid exterminating wasps! Although they can be irritating, they are beneficial creatures to have in your garden
Wasps, often viewed as unwelcome guests in gardens, play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem and supporting plant life. These hunters, with a preference for other insects and arthropods, are efficient natural pest controllers and pollinators [1][5].
In the UK alone, there are approximately 7,000 species of wasps [2]. Many wasps, especially parasitoid species, lay their eggs inside hidden insect larvae, allowing the hatched larvae to consume the pests from within, thereby reducing harmful insect populations [1]. Adult wasps feed on nectar, contributing to pollination and supporting plant reproduction and biodiversity [1][4].
Beyond pest control and pollination, wasps also aid in decomposing by hunting carrion and cleaning up dead insects or organic waste in the garden, contributing to ecosystem health [1][3]. Ground-nesting wasps further enhance garden vitality by supporting soil aeration and nutrient cycling [3].
Wasps can be found in various environments, including lofts, sheds, and heathland. Gardens, particularly those with lots of dead wood, exposed soil, flowers, water, and a healthy population of other insects, provide ideal habitats for wasps [6].
It's a common misconception that all wasps are aggressive. In fact, around 70 per cent of wasps don't sting [7]. Solitary wasps do not bother humans, while social wasps only become bothersome at the end of the summer when they need food [8]. A simple trick to keep wasps at bay while dining is to put out a sugary treat a few metres away from your area [9].
The smallest wasp is the fairy fly, a parasitoid wasp less than 0.015mm in size [3]. Conversely, the Giant Northern hornet, Vespa mandarinia, has a wingspan of 12 cm and can fly up to 40km/hr [4]. Social wasps account for only around 1,200 of the total known species, and for only 9 in the UK [2].
Mated young queens hibernate and establish a new nest next spring [6]. After mating, males die, along with any remaining workers and the old queen [1]. The colony produces only workers until late summer, when the queen starts producing sexual brood - young queens and males [10].
Parasitoid wasps detect hidden caterpillars or other insect larvae, lay their eggs in/on them, and then abandon their offspring [1]. This behaviour helps control pest insect populations naturally.
In summary, having wasps in a garden helps maintain a balanced ecosystem by controlling pest insect populations naturally, aiding pollination, and promoting biodiversity and soil health [1][3][4][5].
- The variety of plants within a home-and-garden setting can attract wasps, who feed on their nectar and contribute to pollination, thus supporting the reproduction and biodiversity of the plants.
- Ground-nesting wasps, common in many gardens, play a crucial role in promoting soil health by aerating the soil and engaging in nutrient cycling.
- A garden that offers a range of habitats such as dead wood, exposed soil, flowers, water, and a healthy insect population can provide an ideal home for different species of wasps, contributing to a balanced ecosystem.
