Topic: Probably a stupid question about wasps

[Squash64]

We have a wasp nest in the garden which we haven't done anything about because I read that the wasps will die in the cold weather and won't use the same nest twice.

I know this is a stupid question (but I'll ask it anyway) - if the wasps die off soon, where do next year's wasps come from?

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

all the wasps die off except the queens, and they start new colonies the next year

[Squash64]

all the wasps die off except the queen, and she starts a new colony the next year

Sorry, I know I'm being stupid, but how does the queen start off the new colony if she is the only one?  And where does she live over the winter?

(Thanks for the answer Rhubarb, but I hope you realise you are dealing with a Thicko here  ;D )

[tonybloke]

this will answer more fully than I can, it is interesting reading. (it's a full pdf)
http://www.worthing.gov.uk/worthings-services/environmentalhealth/pestcontrol/pdffile,47127,en.pdf

[flossy]

  Squash 64,  you and me both then ,          ;D

  Very interesting info tonybloke,  didn't know we had foriegn wasps    ???

[Duke Ellington]

Yes that document was very interesting ....you learn so much using this web site :)

Duke

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

I don't have a problem with wasps - I assume it's them mostly that hoover up all the caterpillars in the late summer.
And of course as any fule kno, wasps make marmalade  :D

[Squash64]

Thank you tonybloke for the link to a very interesting article.

I understand now from reading it that the females are already mated and hibernate in that state until they make a new nest the following year.

I'm glad I asked this question!

[Squash64]

I don't have a problem with wasps - I assume it's them mostly that hoover up all the caterpillars in the late summer.
And of course as any fule kno, wasps make marmalade  :D

I didn't have a problem either........until one stung my dog's foot this morning.  I wondered why Graham wasn't his usual happy self until I saw him holding up his paw and looking really sorry for himself.  There was a dead, or almost dead wasp on the patio so I'm assuming it stung him.

[flossy]

  RT, thats really  '  messy  '   ,      ;D    ;D

  Found that the jam - jar type traps brought more wasps round than I cared to share my

  sandwiches  with !       ::)

[Robert_Brenchley]

I had a queen wasp building a nest in the middle of my shed roof one year. They work very hard to feed a small number of grubs, which are severely underfed, and produce stunted wasps. These then feed the next generation, and the nest starts to expand. Bumblebees do much the same.

[Squash64]

A quick update on the wasps......

There are a lot fewer of them now.  I'm finding them on the ground just walking slowly around.  My dog Graham trod on one the other day and it stung his  foot.  Being a very brave Border Terrier he didn't murmer.  Just lay flat on the floor with his foot in the air and couldn't even go for his morning walk.  He was alright after an hour, but it was a bit worrying at the time.