Over the next few weeks, you may find a large wasp on the plot, which will turn out to be a queen. Having overwintered, queen wasps look for a place to start a brood, and may well decide that your shed (or in my case, compost heap), would make a desirable residence.
The queen starts off by chewing up bits of wood to form a small, round paper nest. In it, she initially lays a small number of eggs, which become grubs and then wasp workers that help to feed more grubs the queen produces over the summer.
I was blissfully unaware of wasps’ nests till one summer at the allotment, when I got stung on my bottom (oh the indignity of it all!). On my next visit to the plot I was stung again and on the following visit I received two further stings. It was only then that I realised the wasps were coming from the bottom of one of the compost heaps.
I telephoned the allotments officer at the local council who advised me not to put a sign on the heap saying “Danger Wasps Nest.” I was concerned other people might be stung, but I was told that either I or the allotment society could be liable if I put up a sign, so this was not an advisable course of action.
I know that wasps are beneficial for gardeners: not only are they important for the whole ecosystem, but they eat garden pests, such as caterpillars and insects. My problem was that I suddenly didn’t want to go anywhere near my beloved compost heaps.
Feeling despondent, I asked my friend on the plot if she had any advice to give me. “I know it sounds strange” she said, “but you might have heard that some people talk to the bees. Why don’t you try talking to the wasps?”
Suppressing the urge to be flippant as best I could I asked her: “what should I tell the wasps?”
“Just tell them that you will leave them alone if they leave you alone.” So, off I toddled and told them exactly that. I wouldn’t be turning the pile, I would cover it and leave it till the winter. In return I expected a truce and no more stings.
The wasps and I both stuck to our side of the bargain, and – since wasps don’t tend to nest in the same place more than once – I wasn’t bothered by them again.
It’s interesting to note that the previous year I had planted the herb Angelica archangelica on the allotment, for no other reason that it is statuesque and very pretty. I read in a book of gardening folklore that angelica attracts queen wasps. The moral of the tale here: be careful who you invite to the plot.
RSS
Comments
wasps i wouldnt go on my plot for a year only insect im scared of,wonder if you can help me with my situation new plot this year getting turned over tomorrow but the houses at the bottom of my plot have higher soil 4foot to be precise and ive noticed 5 holes the foxe dens im a animal lover so dont want to scare them off and allotment rules state not to purposely do anything to cause them nusance or harm ,i want chickens how can i protect them
There was a wasps nest in my garden the year before last and although there were lots of wasps about when I was gardening nearby, they never bothered me. I was only stung once and that was because I did not spot one who was on the hose when I gripped it. Live and let live I say.
Michael, they don’t call foxes wiley for nothing. If you love animals then I think you will end up heart-broken because sooner or later the foxes will get to your beloved chickens. It’s bad enough when the foxes are at the end of your garden – on an allotment you have fewer chances of protecting them. Sorry to sound negative but I’ve heard so many tales from upset chicken keepers…
Anyone out there successfully keeping chickens on an allotment?
how do i get rid of a wasps nest humanely?
Yes your right bees can hear you, my advise to you is watch the Bee Movie. You might make a knew little friend.
Just tell them to Buzz Off!!!!!
Haha.. I had to laugh so hard at the last comment! Anyways, great programme an greetings from Amsterdam!
What a great laugh!
What l noticed last year on my bay tree were yellow bits on the leaves but l noticed a lot of wasps nibbling at them, l cut them off recently, thats the leaves ha ha, but l’m going to whatch this year to see if they manage to get at the little grubs, thats the wasps ha ha.
I have had gardens with wasps nests over the years and I echo the advice to leave them alone and live with them. I tend to think the problem with wasps is the psychological effect of the buzzing – the human brain interprets it as a threat! The only time to be extra careful is towards the end of the summer when they start to die off. Just give them their space. You know they’re good for your garden.
I have a wasps nest in my shed, in a box I think because I see them coming in and out of it. I want to clean out my shed at some point and wondered if they leave once the wasps have all hatched? and what time of year this would be?
Do wasps invade/takeover bees nests. I had bees going in and out of a spot low down behind a pot/shrub and after a couple of days, no bees just wasps going in and out. Have the wasps seen off the bees?