Every year as the weather increases in temperature and we begin to relax into the comfortable rhythm of summer, we are joined by our favourite pests—the wasp. There are a few wasp species that commonly join us on our picnics. One in particular is the yellow jacket wasp.
How to Distinguish Between Wasps and Honeybees
These flying insects with their bright yellow bodies and black stripes are often mistaken for the honeybee. Although there are a few key differences. Wasps have long slender wings while honeybees’ are more round, the wasp colouring is typically brighter than the honeybee which is usually more orange than yellow, and the wasp creates small nests typically under tables or in your shed while the honeybee has a large colony and typically finds refuge in hollow trees. While you may not be interested in getting too close to a stinging insect in order to evaluate their wing shape - there is a major behavioral/physiological difference that will help you identify a wasp quite quickly. Unlike our fellow honeybees, wasps are carnivorous. If you find a flying insect eating off yours dinner plate, you are more most likely in the presence of a wasp.
Beneficial Roles in our Environment
Wasps may seem like pests to us, but they play a crucial role as natural predators. They help control pest populations that can overwhelm our vegetable gardens and farm crops. Wasps feed on various insects, including caterpillars, beetle larvae, flies, spiders, and even honeybees. They also clean up our environment by consuming dead insects, preventing a buildup of debris. Beyond their role in pest control, wasps also contribute to pollination, showcasing their importance in maintaining ecological balance.
How to Protect your Honeybee Hive from Wasps
As a beekeeper, if we see increased wasp activity in our gardens, it is time to check the front entrance of our hives. Yellow jacket attacks can completely destroy our colonies over a short period of time. If we see wasps at our front entrances, it is time to put on our entrance reducers. By reducing the front of our colonies, we give the honeybees a chance to defend the hive. While we move into warmer weather and you have reduced the front entrance due to wasp activity, you may want to keep in mind how the bees will ventilate their colonies. If you have a screened bottom board, I would suggest removing the board. The screen will increase air flow but prevent wasps from entering the hive. If you are using a regular bottom board and wasp activity is exceptionally high, consider exchanging the regular entrance reducer for a mesh screen. The mesh will allow for ventilation but prevent the wasps from entering. You can cover the entrance with the mesh similar to an entrance reducer and leave a small opening on one end of the entrance. If wasp attacks persist, consider relocating your colony. This may give them the advantage they need to survive!