Wasps this year
Discussion
oa said:
They don't seem to do anything useful.
Wasp Control UK said:
In early summer wasps also do pollinate plants and flowers as they feed on nectar. If we were to eradicate all wasps we would cause more problems than it would solve. So, wasps do serve a purpose and despite being a problem at certain times of the year, they are a beneficial insect.
It is difficult to guess the exact numbers of insects which are killed by a single wasp colony through the course of a summer, but the number will be tremendous. It is estimated that a single wasp nest will catch approx 5 metric tons of insect in one year.
So in the natural world, wasps (although irritating to humans) do have their role to play.
It is difficult to guess the exact numbers of insects which are killed by a single wasp colony through the course of a summer, but the number will be tremendous. It is estimated that a single wasp nest will catch approx 5 metric tons of insect in one year.
So in the natural world, wasps (although irritating to humans) do have their role to play.
As part of my increasingly pathetic attempt to build up some good karma (with a view to being rewarded by winning the Euromillions lottery) I have started trapping wasps in the house under a glass and putting them outside, rather than splatting them with a rolled up newspaper. So far the wasps do not seem especially grateful - especially the one I put out which immediately flew back in through the open bathroom window and buzzed around my head in circles.
I haven't seen that many wasps around this year. Lots of moths and earwigs though.
I haven't seen that many wasps around this year. Lots of moths and earwigs though.
"two swarms" Pretty sure wasps don't swarm - yeah - http://www.hampshire-waspcontrol.co.uk/wasp-databa...
I've always been an advocate of the 'exterminate every single wasp f
ker' approach. Until I moved to the west coast of scotland, where we have that other insect scourge, the midge.
Apparently, wasps eat shedloads of midges. I can live with the odd one being a pain and trying to eat my ketchup, drink my beer and sting my wife in return for guzzling a few thousand midges.
My favourite toy at the mo is called the exterminator. (Not from those websites, you pervs, but from firebox.com). It's shaped like a tennis racquet and uses a couple of AA batteries to run a charge through the wires across the head. It'll kill midges and small flies instantly, but stun a wasp or a large bluebottle enough for you to either a) retrieve it in a dustpan and brush and stick it back outside or b) keep it on the wires and keep pressing the 'fire' button until you see smoke coming from the corpse. I tend to use course of action A when the missus is around and B when the lads and I are having a few beers.
ker' approach. Until I moved to the west coast of scotland, where we have that other insect scourge, the midge.Apparently, wasps eat shedloads of midges. I can live with the odd one being a pain and trying to eat my ketchup, drink my beer and sting my wife in return for guzzling a few thousand midges.
My favourite toy at the mo is called the exterminator. (Not from those websites, you pervs, but from firebox.com). It's shaped like a tennis racquet and uses a couple of AA batteries to run a charge through the wires across the head. It'll kill midges and small flies instantly, but stun a wasp or a large bluebottle enough for you to either a) retrieve it in a dustpan and brush and stick it back outside or b) keep it on the wires and keep pressing the 'fire' button until you see smoke coming from the corpse. I tend to use course of action A when the missus is around and B when the lads and I are having a few beers.
Pretty easy to catch them. 3/4 fill a jam jar with water and put a good splash of vinegar in it. Put some jam around the lip at the top. The wasps land on the edge of the jar to eat the jam but the fumes of the vinegar get them "drunk" and they fall into the jar and die.
On a good day I was catching 30 of the buggers.
On a good day I was catching 30 of the buggers.
We had wasps starting to nest in the loft space this year.
Quick phone call, £50 and a pest control bod turns up, squirts them with something, and says "stay indoors for about 4 hours, they'll get very angry and then die".
Watched them getting very irate through the window, and then die. Best £50 of the year. I hate wasps.
Quick phone call, £50 and a pest control bod turns up, squirts them with something, and says "stay indoors for about 4 hours, they'll get very angry and then die".
Watched them getting very irate through the window, and then die. Best £50 of the year. I hate wasps.
RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-202...
All of a sudden.....the little buggers we get here don't seem all that bad!!
Also, is it wrong that I DESPERATELY want to this "Garuda" as an entry on Japanese Bug Fights!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-202...
All of a sudden.....the little buggers we get here don't seem all that bad!!
Also, is it wrong that I DESPERATELY want to this "Garuda" as an entry on Japanese Bug Fights!
Edited by Spiritual_Beggar on Thursday 25th August 13:49
They are a part of the food chain. Fish and birds eat them, and they in turn kill midges.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff