Wasp Facts & Information

What Orkin does

Orkin uses an integrated approach that employs a variety of effective and efficient methods to control wasps. Our integrated program includes using:

• Inspection – determining what is needed to provide an effective wasp control plan.

• Documentation – explaining the specifics of the overall control plan and the findings and results of, not only the initial inspection, but scheduled follow-up services as well.

• Education – explaining the behavior, diet and habitat of wasps and how this information will be helpful to the homeowner.

• Cultural controls – modifying the area around the home or business to reduce the number of sites that are suitable for wasps to nest.

• Exclusion – making it hard for wasps to get inside the structure.

• Sanitation – keeping the area clean and efficiently reducing access to the wasp’s sources of food.

• Selection of the best wasp control methods – traps, light modification, mechanical and insecticidal controls, physical removal.

• Emergency services, if needed.

For more information or to schedule an inspection, please contact your local Orkin branch office.

Colonies

Wasp species are categorized as social or solitary. As their name implies, social wasps live in colonies, which may number in the thousands. Within these colonies, female workers perform all duties within the nest. Solitary wasps live alone and therefore do not have a colony. They do lay eggs, but their eggs are left alone to hatch.

Some wasps are predatory, while others are parasitic. Predatory wasps kill and consume other insects as well as other animals which they often feed to their larvae.

Parasitic wasps typically lay their eggs in the bodies of living creatures like caterpillars or spiders. The larvae feed on the still-living host. Wasps can assist in the management of other pests, particularly in agriculture as biological control agents. Many wasps also feed on nectar from flowers and therefore function as pollinators.

Some wasps are aggressive species and can sting when threatened. Unlike honey bees, wasps often are capable of stinging multiple times.

Pollination

There are many species of wasps that are important pollinators. However, taken as a group, wasps do pollinate, but are not as effective at pollinating as the bees. This is primarily because bees have hairier bodies than wasps, so pollen is more likely to stick to a bee’s body and be transported from one flower to another.

Reproduction

Late in the summer, the queen of some species will produce unfertilized eggs. These will develop into males. The males will fertilize the wasps that will become the queens of the following year. These fertilized females will overwinter in a sheltered location. In most cases, the rest of the colony will perish when winter comes. Next spring, the queen will start laying eggs. The fertilized eggs that they produce will become workers, building the nest and feeding the larvae produced by the queen.

More Information

Wasps often are beneficial to mankind. Several species are used by humans as parasites to control pests, such as in agriculture. Others are predators that help maintain insect populations. Others function as pollinators and help with plant fertilization.

Wasp Stings

Bees vs. Wasps

Difference between Hornets and Wasps

Disadvantages of Wasp Traps

Wasp Nests

Wasp Infestation

Wasp Species

Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp

European Paper Wasp

Great Black Wasp

Ground Wasps

Mud Dauber Wasps

Paper Wasps

Red Wasps

Sawflies

Spider Wasp

Types of Wasps

Wood Wasps