Over the last couple of weeks we have had 4 big wasps appear in our kitchen, which is a bit disturbing. Especially since they didn't seem any happier to be there than I was to see them!
We're at a bit of a loss as to why, where they are coming from, and what to do about it. Has anyone had similar? Any suggestions?
Had one come in the caravan skylight a couple of weeks back when in Somerset, about the last thing I expected on a coldish drizzly day! Only had the skylight open because I was cooking and steam kept triggering the smoke alarm. Didn't bother with flyscreen as sure that nothing was flying about at this time of year - wrong!
It was pretty dopy, but wouldn't settle for me to dispatch it, so opened the big skylight to let it out! Don't like them at the best of times, but inclined to sting even more when dopy at this time of year! Particularly concerned it would be the dog who got stung, so it HAD to go, one way or another!
Big wasp is a queen, looking for a place to overwinter. She’ll then set up a new colony elsewhere next year. I react badly to wasp stings so I’m sorry, but they get dispatched here.
Hardly any wasps in the garden this year, we had the plums to ourselves!
Had a problem with wasps apearing in our kitchen a few years back and it was because they had built a nest in the outlet for our kitchen extractor fan and were entering from there.
I think with the topsy turvy weather we have had for past few years, past empirical experience, and 'normal' recognised life patterns and habits etc., have all gone out the window!
None of the old 'rules' can be counted on anymore - there is MUCH latitude in seasonal behaviours, especially in parts of the country that are experiencing a bit of a mono-season throughout the year, with only minor temp and weather changes between what used to be the four distinct seasons, and it's now difficult to say what purpose any creature has in it's activities!
Quote: Originally posted by alisonme on 28/11/2024
I'm still a bit bewildered by this. I hope it doesn't mean we have a nest somewhere, but I don't know anything about the habits of wasps!!
Thanks for the responses
No, the nest has died off, especially after the recent frost. The queen needs to get somewhere safe to get through the winter.
(I worked with an environmental organisation plus I kept honey bees.)
No, the nest has died off, especially after the recent frost. The queen needs to get somewhere safe to get through the winter.
(I worked with an environmental organisation plus I kept honey bees.)
Thanks Fiona, but do you have any idea why would we have we had 4 in a short space of time?
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Topic: Wasps
via mobile 25/11/2024 at 11:45pm
