Are wasps treated unfairly?
Some think wasps just spoil picnics but others respect them.
If you’ve ever tried enjoying a picnic in the summer, you’ll know that wasps can be a nuisance. The most common type of UK wasp is the yellowjacket, and this is the yellow and black insect that buzzes around in summer looking for ripe fruit, flower nectar and sugary treats like ice cream. However, wasps also play an important role in nature. They hunt small flies and caterpillars, and many gardeners are grateful to them for keeping pests away from plants. Despite this, the possibility of a painful sting means some people think wasps are pests themselves, and should even have their colonies destroyed. Others think these intelligent insects have the right to live and work just as we do. What do you think, are wasps misunderstood or are they annoying pests?
Yes – they help plants and flowers
According to experts, UK wasps capture around 14 million kilograms of prey every summer to feed their young, and without them we would be overrun by insects and spiders. Also, just like bees, wasps play a very important role in carrying pollen from flower to flower. Wasps support nearly 1,000 types of plants this way. Just because they have a bad reputation for stinging, whole colonies – their homes – are destroyed because people don’t like them buzzing around their gardens. These clever creatures are only active during summer months and should be able to live and work just like any other insect. Wasps sting when they think they’re being attacked, so people should keep calm and stay out of their way.
No – they’re a nuisance
Summer should be a carefree time spent outdoors enjoying picnics and ice creams, so it’s annoying when wasps buzz about trying to join in. When they are batted away they can feel threatened and sting, and anyone who has experienced this knows how painful it can be. Although most stings will heal in just a few hours, some people can have an allergic reaction that means they may suffer painful, swollen skin. Even though it’s best to ignore wasps, this isn’t always possible. What if they build their nest in your attic or garden, or near a window? Nobody wants to share their bedroom with a colony of wasps, and people should be able to control them just like any other insect pest.