Wasps are Annoying....

Full disclosure - for one reason or another I have an irrational fear of wasps. I know its irrational, and to a limited degree I am able to control it, but most times the way they fly, or the sound they make, is enough to put me into blind panic mode.

TL;DR

Wasps - I find it best to try to understand your fears and use that new found knowledge to try to help manage those fears, and if it doesn't work first time, to try again.

In my case with wasps, the fear started as far back as I can remember, and is still with me at 56 years of age. I have tried to understand wasps a little better over this time span - this time documenting my research.

Why Wasps Act Like a Larger Lout in September

Why do wasps go round looking for a fight in September, its generally when they are at their height of being a complete an utter pest.

In September - in the UK anyway, a number of factors combine together with a net effect - that changes a clean living, hardworking 9 to 5 standard wasp into a twat.

Unemployment:

Worker wasps spend most of the summer collecting protein (such as insects) to feed the larvae back at the nest. When the larvae mature, and no longer need the support the worker wasps become the equivalent of empty nesters. They have a shift in purpose that they find difficult to accept. Preparing for an over wintering, they seek out more calorific food - carbohydrates and sugars.

End of Nest Cycle:

By September, the wasp colony is reaching the end of its cycle, and the original queen has often died. The remaining worker wasps are less focused and less disciplined, leading to increased foraging activity, and a greater chance of encountering humans. 

Shorter Days:

The shorter daylight hours as the summer draws to a close mean wasps are busier during the day, spending more time outside foraging for food and less time inside the nest. They may also be attracted to artificial lights, leading to them entering homes. 

Increased Aggression:

When wasps are feeding on rotting fruit, that has feremented and contains alcohol they can become intoxicated, drunk or hung over - they are more easily wound up and like humans more likely to get into a fight. This increased aggression means a greater likelihood of stinging if they feel threatened.

Pheromone Response:

If a wasp stings or is squashed, it releases a pheromone that can attract other wasps to the same area, making it seem like they are swarming. 

They Are Essential

Bees often get the spotlight for their pollination efforts, but wasps are important players too.

Wasps serve as nature's pest controllers by preying on a variety of insects. This natural predation plays a crucial role in reducing pest populations, which helps farmers avoid the use of chemical pesticides.

Essential but still annoying

Wasps may often be labeled as pests, but they are crucial to our ecosystems. From their intriguing life cycles to their important roles as pollinators and pest controllers, wasps deserve our understanding and appreciation.

The next time you encounter a wasp, pause for a moment to appreciate its role in nature. They are not just pesky stingers; they are vital contributors to the health of our environment.

I'll be running the other direction waving my arms in the air in an irrational manner.

Happy travels!