Moving Wasps

This is the time of year when wasps start building their beautiful, ornate nests for their winter hibernation. Keep a close eye out around your plot for signs of nest-building activity. This one was found just inside the shed doorway in Alison's shed.

Alison said, "We hadn't been into the shed for a few days and suddenly this nest appeared. It's the ultimate thief deterrent!"

Unfortunately, because it's in such a well-used place, Alison is left with the job of having to remove it as soon as possible, otherwise it will be too dangerous by August when the wasps become defensive and start to protect their nest. Removing it now when the nest is still small and the wasps are quite placid also gives them time to build another one - hopefully in a more secluded place.

Wasps are a great benefit to us as a natural pest predator and, with some thought and consideration, we can exist in harmony together on an allotment plot. They do not intentionally build nests in places which are inconvenient to us and will normally choose a site which they think is likely to remain undisturbed.

Generally, if you do discover a wasp's nest the best thing to do is leave it alone. Most of the wasps die off over winter and in any case they will find a new place to nest next year. In our garden at home, wasps colonise a different bird box to nest in each summer and are never any problem.

Read last year's blog about a wasp's nest

Submitted by Tigger