Species, usefulness, conservation, and more

the essentials in brief

• Earth wasp nests must not be removed without further ado
• Earth wasps are only aggressive when they feel threatened
• A specialist can relocate the useful insects and their nests

What helps against earth wasps?

If you are looking to get rid of earth wasps, you should seek professional assistance. Unauthorized attempts to eliminate and eradicate with gasoline or other methods can result in nasty surprises. In many federal states, the removal and destruction of wasp nests is prosecuted, so that a fine is to be expected.

Products such as wasp foam or anti-wasp spray poison and kill the insects. Although the manufacturers often promise ecological and gentle effects, you are putting yourself at risk. The nest is disturbed and the workers try to defend themselves by stinging.

Here's advice:

• Lower nature conservation authority of your district office
• local fire department
• regional NABU office
• in Bavaria: LBV
• Wasp emergency service or beekeeper

Fumigating or drowning

This method is comparatively old and often does not achieve the desired success. Twigs and brushwood are piled up in front of the entrance hole and lit so that the smoke penetrates into the earthworks. The animals become very aggressive and can attack. Several repetitions are necessary to drive the wasps away sustainably.

Another measure used to kill earth wasps is to flood caves and tunnels. Sugar water is fed into the construction. The sugar is supposed to stick together the wings of the insects so that they can no longer fly. This method is only effective after repeated repetition and means an agonizing death for the animals.

Relocate the entrance hole

This method is not entirely safe because you have to get close to the wasp's nest. If you are unsure, you should consult a specialist. Such measures should be carried out during the morning or evening hours, as the animals are less active during this time.

You need a two meter long drainage pipe and a suitable piece of pipe that is bent at 90 degrees. Put the two pipe parts together. The angled piece is inserted into the hole in the ground so that the long part with the pipe opening points into a safe area.

Relocate earth wasps

Moving a nest only makes sense if it is in an inconvenient place. A specialist numbs the insects with an animal-friendly sedative before the measure so that the wasps are dazed. The nest can then be safely dug out of the ground and placed in a distant place. This measure can only be carried out until mid-July, as the wasp colony then grows rapidly.

Digression

What to do if you have a earth wasp sting?

What do earth wasps eat?

The diet of adult earth wasps is predominantly vegetarian. The hymenoptera feed on plant juices that contain high-energy sugar compounds. Young queens can often be found on willow blossoms in spring. But the smell of food and drinks also attracts the insects. Once it has discovered the abundant source of food, it is difficult to drive away. Larvae are fed a protein-rich pulp made from chewed insects and other animal proteins.

What are earth wasps?

Earth wasps are a slang term for wasps that settle in the ground. In Germany there are two species of wasps from the short-headed wasps, which nest in holes in the ground. This includes the Common wasp and the German wasp. They form together with Hornets and long-headed wasps the subfamily of real wasps.

Recognize earth wasps

When the insects are on a scouting flight, they can be easily spotted. After earth wasps have found an optimal place to build their nests, the hustle and bustle of the colony begins. Earth wasps holes can be seen in the ground, which are used for entry and exit.

species

Garden owners most often become acquainted with the German wasp or the common wasp. Both species are found in similar habitats and behave aggressively when they feel threatened. They often seek to be close to people because they are attracted to the smells of sweet baked goods and drinks.

way of life

A wasp state lives for a summer. There is a fixed hierarchy and division of labor in the community. This is the only way for the state to function and ensure the survival of the species.

Nest building

From April onwards, the fertilized queen looks for a burrow in the ground in which she builds her nest. These can be dark cavities or abandoned mouse holes. She eats a lot in the first two to three weeks. The nest is then formed from chewed wood fibers.

This is what the initial nest looks like:

• a central brood cell
• six more cells surround the center
• Nest hangs upside down on the ceiling of the cave
• Honeycomb protected by a spherical nest shell

Founding of a wasp colony

Shortly before the eggs are laid, the eggs are fertilized with stored sperm. The female has been carrying this supply with her since mating last autumn. One egg is laid per brood cell. The hatched larvae are fed by the queen with a pulp made from crushed insects.

The larvae secrete a liquid drop that is rich in sugar. The queen takes this up. After the larvae pupate, they molt several times inside the pupa. The young earth wasps hatch after about two to three weeks.

Digression

Larval development

Development of the state

The workers are responsible for the further expansion of the nest. You create additional brood combs that are arranged in several levels. In this way, the nest and the colony can expand rapidly. It is not uncommon for a wasp colony to consist of 3,000 to 4,000 individuals.

The expansion continues until late summer. The queen now secretes fewer pheromones, so that fertile females develop. They form the new generation of queens. Males hatch from unfertilized eggs by early autumn, which at the same time represent the end of the colony. The nest is slowly dying out as no new workers are produced.

This is how the division of labor in the state looks like:

• Nest expansion
• Cleansing the cells
• Feeding the larvae
• Supplying the queen
• Food procurement

Mating and sinking

The old queen dies in the fall. Males fly out and look for females from other colonies to mate so that there is no inbreeding. Shortly after mating, the males die. At the latest when the cold snap, all the insects in a country will perish. Only the fertilized young queens look for a protected hiding place to overwinter. They use rotten wood, cavities under bark or moss cushions to put them in a Numbness to fall. During this so-called diapause, all vital functions are put into an energy-saving mode.

Difference between earth wasps and earth bees

Earth wasps are very common with Earth bees confused, which can have fatal consequences. Earth bees are completely harmless and pose no threat to humans. The useful insects are under nature protection, which is why their structures must not be removed and destroyed without good reason.

Not only the appearance of earth wasps and earth bees differ, but also the structure and behavior of both groups. Bees often communicate using a waggle dance to convey the distance and direction of a source of food. This behavior does not exist in wasps.

Which animal eats earth wasps?

There are a number of natural enemies that keep earth wasps in check. Many animals have specialized in stinging insects by developing protective mechanisms or parasitic ways of life. In addition, humans are one of the greatest enemies of wasps, because the use of insecticides in agriculture kills many peoples.

Mammals

There are numerous predators in this group of animals that target the protein-rich brood of earth wasps. This includes smaller mammals such as shrews and hedgehogs, but also badgers. However, none of the animals specializes in earth wasps. When the insects fly outside the nests, there is hardly any chance for the predators to catch one of the flying animals.

Birds

Some birds specialize in hunting flying insects. Red-backed red-backed killer and bee-eater are among the most important predators of the earth wasps. The honey buzzard has also specialized in stinging prey. The birds of prey dig up the nests of the common, German and red wasps to eat the high-energy brood. It is not uncommon for them to be stung by the workers because they are defending their nests. That is why the honey buzzard closes its eyes while digging. The dense feathers on the head protect him from the stings.

insects

Numerous insects have specialized in wasp hunting. There are some animals that live parasitically and kill numerous earth wasps in this way. Ants can also pose a threat to wasp brood, as they occur in large numbers and are aggressive. The caterpillars of some wax moth species also feed on the brood of wasps, with bee and bumblebee larvae mainly on their menu.

Why these insects are suitable Wasp hunter are:

• Dragonflies: agile and fast flying artists, strong jaws to kill
• Predatory flies: strong legs for catching, proboscis for sucking
• Thick-headed flies: lay eggs on flying wasps, larvae eat host from within
• Wasp beetle: Beetle larvae burrow into wasp larvae

Where do earth wasps live?

Earth wasps are found in large parts of Europe. They colonize almost all types of landscape and are often found in human settlements. Holes in the ground are an important prerequisite for earth wasps to find a suitable nesting site. In their natural Biotope Not only do shrubs grow, but also various tall perennial plants. They occur near forests and on horse pastures.

Earth wasps are also found here:

• in the garden
• between cobblestones
• under terraces
• in Flower box(€ 149.00 at Amazon *) or flower pot

In the house

Earth wasps are not only found in holes underground. Cavities in walls and blinds or undisturbed attics are also suitable housing for the insects. If you notice a hum in your home during the summer months but cannot locate it, wasps are probably the cause. It can also be bees or hornets.

Are earth wasps under nature protection?

All wasp species are protected by the Federal Nature Conservation Act. The insects must not be caught, injured, killed or deliberately disturbed. Protection also applies to the nest. There are exceptions to these prohibitions. To do this, there must be a public interest or an unreasonable burden on the individual. Wasp nests in the daycare center may be professionally removed after obtaining a permit.

Danger vs. To use

Earth wasps display aggressive behavior. You don't shy away from being around people and don't just fly away when you hit them. Such measures perceive the insects as a threat against which they must protect themselves. There are stitches. If children play in the garden and accidentally step on a hole in the ground, the earth wasps also feel threatened and often attack.

But wasps also play a major role in pest control. They need animal proteins to raise their brood. To do this, they go hunting and prey on various insects and arachnids. Adult insects feed exclusively on sweet plant juices, but aphid excretions are also sucked up with pleasure. In this way, wasps prevent fungi from settling on the infected plants. At the same time, wasps attack the aphids themselves and prevent them from spreading on a massive scale.

What earth wasps prey on:

• Fly species
• other hymenoptera
• Caterpillars of moths and moths
• Grasshoppers and spiders
• Brakes

Earth wasps are not monsters who take revenge on humans by all means. They are useful insects in the ecosystem and ensure that pests do not spread uncontrollably.

prevention

So that no earth wasps settle in the garden, the preferred forage plants should not be planted. Wasps have specially designed mouthparts that allow them to suck up easy-to-reach sources of nectar. Therefore, there are some plants that wereps often approached by wasps. This includes not only flowering plants, but also some ferns like the one bracken. These spore plants have nectar glands on the petioles that are easily accessible for wasps.

Typical wasp plants:

• Figwort and marshwort
• Two-leaf
• thyme
• some umbelliferae
• Ivy and buckthorn

Prevent nest building

There are some plants that give off an intense fragrance. Since earth wasps are highly based on smells, you can take advantage of plants with a wasp deterrent odor. Put intensely smelling herbs such as lavender, mint or basil in planters and distribute them on the balcony and garden. Tomatoes and garlic also exude aromas that would scare wasps off.

Making soil unattractive

In autumn, abandoned earth nests should be destroyed. Fill the aisles with substrate and tread on the earth. If there are no holes or caves, the garden will appear less attractive to earth wasps. Open soils in beds should be dug up regularly. This also closes underground corridor systems and holes on the surface.

frequently asked Questions

Do earth wasps die in winter?

With the exception of the young queens, all earth wasps in a colony die as soon as the first frosts hit. The queen is looking for a sheltered hiding place to overwinter in order to build a new state in the next year. It survives the winter in dead wood or building niches.

What do earth wasps look like?

The insects are clearly recognizable by their color. They have a typical black and yellow striped pattern that is intended to serve as a warning color. The constricted abdomen, known as the wasp waist, is also characteristic.

Can earth wasps sting?

Earth wasps have a sting that does not get stuck in the skin after a sting. They conduct poison into the wound, which often causes swelling. In most cases, the symptoms subside after three to four days. Some people are allergic to wasp stings, so a sting can quickly become dangerous. Medical treatment is advisable in this case.

What is the lifespan of earth wasps?

The workers live one summer and die in winter. Males are not developed until autumn. They perish a short time after mating, which takes place before winter. Only the queens have a life expectancy of around a year.

Earth wasps coming back?

Earth wasps only use a nest once. However, young queens often orientate themselves on smells. They like to come back to places that have been colonized by wasps in the last year. You should therefore clean the area thoroughly in winter after you have removed the nest.