the essentials in brief
- the Common wasp is the most common wasp species in our country and is not (yet) one of the endangered species
- Wasps are protected and must not be killed
- With strong smells like coffee smell, essential oils, lemons with Cloves wasps can be kept away from the Sunday coffee table on the terrace
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 can hardly be distinguished from its sister species. Both species have similar ways of life.
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Recognize
As a short-headed wasp, the common wasp is characterized 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. The abdomen of this species is drawn yellow-black like all real wasps, whereby the ringing can turn out differently between individual 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 the last year of her life. The chief can live to be around 14 months old, while the workers die after six months. Males only hatch in late summer and do not hibernate, so they live shorter than the workers.
Differences between common wasp, German wasp and others
The appearance of Vespula vulgaris resembles the appearance 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 | characteristics | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 dotted |
| Red wasp | she avoids being close to people | anterior abdominal segments red |
German Wasp - Difference
The abdomen drawing does not give 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 drawing on the face plate, which distinguishes it from the German Wepse. Characteristic is the broad black line, which thickens towards the bottom like a club. Here has the German wasp usually three points, which can partially merge into one line.
Fight the 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. In most cases, control is also unnecessary. However, there is a need for action if a wasp's nest in the roller shutter box or a swarm of wasps attacks your afternoon table in the garden. Wasp nests in sensitive locations can be implemented by a professional. With wasps on the cake, there are several ways to drive away the voracious insects:
- Offer them an alternative source of food far away from your coffee table
- Fill several sliced oranges or lemons with cloves, wasps and other insects don't like the smell
- Essential oils like 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 drive away wasps
Cloves and citrus smells keep wasps and mosquitoes away
way of life
Contrary to what many people suspect, the common wasp is comparatively peaceful. Workers defend themselves outside of their nest when they are disturbed or threatened. Their aggressive behavior increases the closer the distance to the nest is. Dark clothing reminds the animals of a potential predator against whom defensive measures are quickly taken. The conspecifics are informed of the threat by an alarm pheromone.
The wasp's venom is hardly more dangerous or painful than that of bees and Bumblebees.
food
Adult wasps feed mostly on plant-based foods such as nectar and sugary juices. When the queens are looking for a suitable nesting site in April, they feed on nectar from early flowering plants such as willow. The scent of desserts is seductive. Once wasps have discovered sweet drinks and cakes as a source of food, they can hardly be chased away. Larvae are fed a pulp made from chewed insects, which is rich in animal protein.
- carbohydrates: Vegetable juices, nectar, honeydew
- protein: Insects, carrion, meat
Attack and defense
Wasps have a sting that they use to overwhelm and paralyze their prey or repel enemies. However, only queens and workers are able to sting because the males do not have a sting.
Usually the stinger is at rest and hidden in a chamber. If there is an attack, the stinger is deployed. The wasp holds on to its legs and pushes the stinger into the organism. It sets its piercing bristles in motion, which dig deeper and deeper into the skin and pull the entire sting with them.
Due to their special sting structure, wasps are able to sting several times. With them, the sting does not tear off, because it can be pulled out of the skin again due to the lack of barbs on the sting sheath. Even dead or broken animals can still sting, as the process is triggered by a reflex.
Structure of the sting:
- two movable piercing bristles with barbs
- Spine with a channel to the poison gland
- Spiked sheath different from barbed bees
Wasps sting when they feel threatened
Digression
Poison components and effects
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 sheltered niches in attics, roller shutter boxes or barns.
Nest building
The queen starts building her nest from mid-April. She collects wood fibers from weathered wood and rotting tree trunks, which she chews to a sticky mass. This material gives the wasp's nest a light beige color. The nest is preferably built in a dark and protected place. Abandoned mouse and mole passages underground are popular. As the colony grows, more underground tunnels are dug and the nest expanded.
Nest construction:
- Six additional cells are built around a central brood cell
- Hanging upside down on the ceiling of the cave
- surrounded by a spherical nest shell
Establishment of the state
After the queen has completed the burrow, she lays an egg in each brood cell. Shortly before the egg is laid, it is fertilized with seeds that it has stored since mating last autumn. At this time the queen is still on her own and has to look after the brood and look for food. When the larvae hatch, she feeds them with an insect mash. The larvae release a drop of liquid that is rich in sugar and serves as food for the queen.
Larval development
Shortly before the larvae pupate, they empty completely and for the first time by shedding their feces. This prevents the nest from getting dirty and the excrement from rotting. The queens exude pheromones, which influence the development of the larvae. From these, sterile workers emerge in early summer, who take over the tasks previously carried out by the queen. The queen is then responsible for reproduction.
Development of the state
The nest grows continuously during the summer months. Under optimal conditions, a state can accommodate 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 emerge. The larvae develop in special brood cells that are slightly larger than the conventional chambers. Males hatch from unfertilized eggs. During the rest of the year there are no new workers and the number of individuals is falling rapidly.
Several thousand wasps live in a wasp's nest
wintering
Males leave the nest very quickly to mate in search of females from other states. They die shortly after mating. The old queen also dies in late autumn, as a result of which her state completely dissolves. The workers no longer have a job and become homeless. They die in the cold snap while the young queens retreat to sheltered winter quarters. Here they lapse into one by next spring Numbness.
Young queens winter 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 § 39 Abs. No. 1 it is forbidden to catch, injure or kill animals for no particular reason. The protection status also applies to the nesting sites. Although wasps are not subject to special protection like bumblebees, wild bees and hornets, they are still not allowed to remove or destroy a nest for no reason. A professional can assess whether there are sufficient reasons for removal or relocation.
Tips
Better to hire an expert to remove a nest. Otherwise you risk a fine, which in most federal states is 5,000 euros.
Wasps in the garden
When wasps have chosen your garden, you can look forward to the useful helpers. Wasps are better than their reputation. Follow a few rules so that you do not endanger yourself unnecessarily and can live peacefully with the insects.
Useful
Wasps take on important functions in the ecosystem because they keep the populations of annoying mosquitoes, horseflies and plant pests such as aphids in check. The insects are considered to be insect killers because they have to prey on masses of proteins in order to raise their larvae. Wasps prey on around 500 to 2,000 grams of insects each day. Occasionally, the wasps can also be seen on dead animals from which they collect the meat. In this way, wasps ensure faster carrion utilization.
Ecological benefits of the German wasp:
- Food supplier: for birds and shrews
- Destructive: accelerates the decomposition of dead trees
- Pest Control: in the forest and garden
Peaceful coexistence
Give wasps an undisturbed space in the garden that is far enough away from your coffee table. Provide alternative roosts for wasps. The animals settle in gazebos and roller shutter boxes if they cannot find suitable nesting opportunities in nature. A simple wooden box, which was provided with entry holes, guarantees the wasps a safe shelter. Place this in a secluded corner of your garden.
How to build a simple one Insect hotel:(€ 11.33 at Amazon *)
- Base: Block made of hardwood
- editing: drill corridors with different drills
- suspension: sunny place
Tips
Change clothes if you have been stung by a wasp. This could smell of the wasps' 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 be stung several times. While bees have barbs on the sting sheath, the sheath surface of a wasp stinger is smooth. This allows it to pull the sting out of the skin again. This is also made easier by the muscles that sit at the base of the spines and anchor them firmly in the body. The sting reflex is still present even in animals that have just died or split up, so that they can still sting.
What to do with a wasp's nest
When there is no imminent danger, you can leave nature to its own devices. The wasp state dies out in autumn and the wintering young queens do not use the old nest again. You can remove this in winter when there is no wasp left in it. If there is an immediate danger from the wasp's 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 windfalls are left in the garden. Wasps are magically attracted to this. Harvest the fruit early. You should also avoid dark clothing, as these act like a potential predator for wasps and tempt them to attack.
Species-rich flower meadows also attract wasps. Instead of mowing the entire meadow, 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?
Even if many fear a wasp sting, it is no more dangerous than a sting from bees or bumblebees. The components are very similar. Wasps inject between two and ten micrograms of venom per sting. In the majority of people, the reddened sting point swells, which can cause pain and itching. After a few hours, the symptoms will subside automatically. When people are allergic, life-threatening symptoms can occur. These reactions are caused by various enzymes in the wasp venom.
What helps against a wasp sting?
Cool the sting with ice or a cooling pad to relieve the pain and soothe the itching. Onions are a well-tried 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 an envelope with cold vinegar over the stab site.
