Most people are afraid of wasps because they are considered aggressive and stinging. The common wasp is one of the species that can become intrusive to humans. However, it is not without reason that she goes on the offensive.

Wasps also feed on flower nectar

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Characteristics
  3. confusion
  4. combat
  5. way of life
  6. development
  7. natural reserve
  8. Wasps in the garden
  9. frequently asked Questions

    10. the essentials in brief

    • The common wasp is the most common wasp species in our country and is not (yet) an endangered species
    • Wasps are protected and must not be killed
    • Wasps can be kept away from the Sunday coffee table on the terrace with strong smells such as the smell of coffee, essential oils, lemons with cloves

    Characteristics

    The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) is one of the short-headed wasps and, along with the German wasp, is one of the wasp species that are very common in Central Europe. At first glance, Vespula vulgaris is almost indistinguishable from its sister species. Both species follow similar lifestyles.

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    Recognize

    The common wasp is characterized as a short-headed wasp by the small distance between the lower edge of the eye and the jaw claws. These so-called mandibles sit directly below the compound eyes, which is why the cheeks are almost completely missing. Like all real wasps, the abdomen of this species is yellow-black, although the ringing can vary between individuals.

    Size of each individual:

    • Queen: between 16 and 19 millimeters
    • Workers: from eleven to 14 millimeters
    • Males: between 13 and 17 millimeters

    lifespan

    In the spring, the state is founded by a queen. She overwintered from last year and will produce numerous offspring in her last year of life. The chief can live to around 14 months, while the workers die after six months. Males hatch in late summer and do not hibernate, so they live shorter lives than workers.

    Differences common wasp, German wasp and others

    The appearance of Vespula vulgaris is similar to that of other species native to Europe. However, not all wasps live near humans. Most species are peaceful and shy. They colonize species-rich landscapes with a rich supply of nectar.

    particularities features
    common wasp one of the most common wasp species Front plate with line
    German wasp underground nests, preferably close to humans Front plate dotted or dashed
    Austrian cuckoo wasp Red wasp parasite Front plate completely yellow or spotted
    Red wasp she avoids human contact anterior abdominal segments red

    German wasp - difference

    The abdomen drawing does not provide any information about the respective species, because it can be extremely variable. To separate the species, you should take a closer look at the head. The common wasp has a typical marking on the front plate, which distinguishes it from the German wasp. Characteristic is the wide black line, which thickens like a club towards the bottom. Here the German wasp usually has three dots, some of which can merge into one line.

    Fight common wasp

    Insects of all kinds are threatened with extinction. The common wasp is not (yet) an endangered species and it would be nice if it stayed that way. Therefore, you should definitely refrain from killing wasps. Fighting is also superfluous in most cases. However, there is a need for action if you are attacked by a wasp nest in the roller shutter box or a swarm of wasps over your afternoon table in the garden. Wasp nests in tricky locations can be moved by a professional. With wasps on the cake, there are several ways to drive away the voracious insects:

    • Offer them an alternate food source away from your coffee table
    • Put cloves on several cut oranges or lemons, wasps and other insects don't like the smell
    • Essential oils such as clove oil, tea tree or citronella keep the wasps away
    • Wasps don't like the smell of coffee either
    • Incense sticks or burning coffee powder drives away wasps

    Clove and citrus scents keep wasps and mosquitoes away

    way of life

    Contrary to what many people assume, the common wasp is comparatively peaceful. Workers will defend themselves outside their nest if disturbed or threatened. Their aggressive behavior increases the closer they are to the nest. Dark clothing reminds the animals of a potential predator against which defensive measures are quickly taken. An alarm pheromone informs the conspecifics about the threat.

    Wasp venom is hardly more dangerous or painful than that of bees and bumblebees.

    food

    Adult wasps feed primarily on plant-based foods such as nectar and sugary juices. In April, when the queens seek a suitable nesting site, they feed on nectar from early flowering plants such as willows. The scent of sweets is seductive. Once wasps have discovered sweet drinks and cakes as a source of food for themselves, they can hardly be driven away. Larvae are fed a pulp of chewed insects rich in animal protein.

    • carbohydrates: Plant saps, nectar, honeydew
    • protein: insects, carrion, meat

    attack and defense

    Wasps possess a sting that they use to subdue and paralyze their prey or repel enemies. However, only queens and workers are able to sting because the males do not have a stinger.

    Normally the stinger is at rest and hidden in a chamber. When an attack occurs, the spike is deployed. The wasp holds on with its legs and pushes the sting into the organism. She sets her bristles in motion, which dig deeper and deeper into the skin, dragging the entire sting with them.

    Wasps are able to sting several times due to their special sting structure. The sting does not tear off with them, because it can be pulled out of the skin again due to the lack of barbs on the sting sheath. Even dead or dismembered animals can still sting because the process is triggered by a reflex.

    Structure of the spike:

    • two movable bristles with barbs
    • Spiked gutter with a duct to the venom gland
    • Barbed sheath different from bees without barbs

    Wasps sting when they feel threatened

    digression

    Poison components and effects

    Various components were found in wasp venom, including histamine and serotonin, acetylcholine and free amino acids, as well as proteins and enzymes. Wasps inject between two and ten micrograms of venom into the organism with each sting. The stings of wasps, hornets, bumblebees or bees are almost equally painful because they are composed of similar components.

    In healthy people, the poison causes swelling and redness, which can be painful. However, the symptoms disappear after a short time. Various enzymes are responsible as the main allergens and cause dangerous body reactions in allergic people.

    development

    The common wasp is also known as the earth wasp because of its way of life. The wasp nest is preferably built underground, with the animals also settling in dark corners and protected niches in attics, shutter boxes or barns.

    nest building

    The queen begins building her nest from mid-April. She collects wood fibers from weathered wood and decaying tree trunks, which she chews into a sticky mass. This material gives the wasp's nest a light beige colour. The nest is preferably built in a dark and sheltered place. Abandoned underground mouse and mole tunnels are popular. As the colony grows, more tunnels are dug and the nest expanded.

    Nest structure:

    • Six more cells are built around a central brood cell
    • hanging upside down from the cave ceiling
    • surrounded by spherical nest envelope

    establishment of the state

    After the queen has finished building, she lays an egg in each brood cell. Shortly before laying eggs, fertilization occurs with semen that she has stored since mating last fall. At this time, the queen is still on her own and has to look after the brood and go in search of food. When the larvae hatch, she feeds them insect pulp. The larvae emit a drop of liquid rich in sugars, which the queen uses as food.

    larval development

    Shortly before the larvae pupate, they empty themselves completely and for the first time by defecation. This prevents the nest from getting dirty and the droppings from rotting. The queens exude pheromones, which influence the development of the larvae. From these, infertile workers emerge in early summer, which take over the tasks previously performed by the queen. The queen is then responsible for reproduction.

    development of the state

    During the summer months the nest grows continuously. Under optimal conditions, a colony can house between 3,000 and 4,000 individuals. The maximum size is reached when new, sexually mature animals hatch in late summer. The queen reduces the pheromone release, so that new young queens are born. The larvae develop in special brood cells that are slightly larger than the traditional chambers. Males hatch from unfertilized eggs. During the rest of the year, no new workers emerge and the number of individuals falls rapidly.

    Several thousand wasps live in a wasp nest

    wintering

    Males leave the nest very quickly to go in search of females from other states to mate. They die shortly after mating. The old queen also dies in late autumn, causing her state to completely disintegrate. The workers no longer have a job and become homeless. They die in cold snaps while the young queens retreat to sheltered winter quarters. Here they hibernate until next spring.

    Young queens hibernate here:

    • rotten wood
    • under bark and moss
    • in protected cavities

    natural reserve

    Like all wild animals, the common wasp is subject to the Federal Nature Conservation Act. According to Section 39 Paragraph No. 1, it is forbidden to catch, injure or kill animals without a specific reason. The protection status also applies to the nest sites. Although wasps are not subject to special protections like bumblebees, wild bees and hornets, you must not remove or destroy a nest for no reason. A specialist can assess whether there are sufficient grounds for removal or relocation.

    tips

    It is better to hire an expert to remove a nest. Otherwise, you risk a fine of 5,000 euros in most federal states.

    Wasps in the garden

    If wasps have chosen your garden, you can be happy about the useful helpers. Wasps are better than their reputation. Follow a few rules so that you don't put yourself in unnecessary danger and can live peacefully with the insects.

    Useful

    Wasps take on important functions in the ecosystem because they keep the stocks of annoying mosquitoes, horse flies and plant pests such as aphids in check. The insects are considered insect killers because they have to capture large amounts of proteins to rear their larvae. Wasps eat around 500 to 2,000 grams of insects per day. Occasionally the wasps can also be observed on dead animals from which they collect the meat. In this way, wasps ensure faster carrion consumption.

    Ecological benefits of the German wasp:

    • food supplier: for birds and shrews
    • decomposer: accelerates decomposition of dead trees
    • pest control: in forest and garden

    Peaceful coexistence

    Give wasps an undisturbed place in the garden that is far enough away from your coffee table. Provide wasps with alternative quarters. The animals settle in gazebos and roller shutter boxes if they cannot find suitable nesting sites in nature. A simple wooden box with entry holes provides the wasps with a safe place to hide. Place this in a secluded corner of your garden.

    How to build a simple insect hotel:(11.33€)

    • Base: Block made of hardwood
    • editing: drill passages with different drill bits
    • suspension: sunny place

    tips

    If you have been stung by a wasp, you should change your clothes. This could smell like the wasp's alarm pheromones and trigger another attack.

    frequently asked Questions

    Can the common wasp sting more than once?

    Wasps have a special sting structure that allows them to sting several times. While bees have barbs on the sting sheath, the sheath surface of a wasp sting is smooth. This allows her to pull the stinger out of her skin again. This is additionally facilitated by muscles that sit at the base of the spike and anchor it firmly in the body. The sting reflex is still present even in animals that have just died or been cut up, so that they can still sting.

    What to do with a wasp nest?

    If there is no immediate danger, you can let nature take care of itself. The wasp colony dies out in the fall and the overwintering young queens do not use the old nest again. You can remove this in the winter when there is no wasp in it. If there is an immediate danger from the wasp nest, you can contact a specialist. NABU and LBV are the first points of contact where you can get help. There are also special wasp advisors.

    How can I keep wasps away?

    Make sure that no fallen fruit is left in the garden. Wasps are magically attracted to it. Harvest the fruit early. Also, avoid dark clothing, as this acts as a potential predator on wasps and tempts them to attack.

    Species-rich flower meadows also attract wasps. Instead of mowing the entire lawn, you should make your garden more structured. Leave a strip of wild plants and mow only part of the lawn. The flower border should be in an area away from the terrace, balcony or other seating area.

    How dangerous is a wasp sting?

    Although many fear a wasp sting, it is no more dangerous than a bee or bumblebee sting. The components are very similar. Wasps inject between two and ten micrograms of venom per sting. In the majority of people, the reddened sting site becomes swollen, which can cause pain and itching. After a few hours, the symptoms subside automatically. When people have an allergic reaction, life-threatening symptoms can occur. These reactions are caused by various enzymes in the wasp venom.

    What helps against a wasp sting?

    Chill the sting with ice or an ice pack to relieve pain and relieve itching. Onions are a tried and true remedy for wasp stings. The juice cools and has an anti-inflammatory effect at the same time. You can also neutralize the poison by pressing a compress of cold vinegar over the sting site.

Category:

Animals in the garden