Wreaking havoc wherever they fly, they pester children playing outside and sting innocent bystanders whenever the chance arises. You already know which infuriating summer pest we’re talking about, right? Wasps. Wouldn’t every gorgeous sunny day be better without them? Imagine a world where we could enjoy our time with friends, family and the local scenery in peace? Well, you may be surprised to learn that wasps are a big reason why we can enjoy the outdoors during the summer. Wasp control experts share some of the reasons why we need wasps!

WHY ARE WASPS IMPORTANT?

Wasps play a crucial role in our ecosystem as they are responsible for much of the pollination required for our green spaces to thrive. Although almost naked to the eye, the majority of wasp bodies are covered in thin hairs which help exchange pollen between flowers they visit. In fact, there are some species of plant that would not exist at all without their pollinating wasp partner.

Specific wasp species are also a great form of pest control. Parasitoid wasps are so effective in pest control that certain wasp colonies are specifically engineered to be released into gardens and fields, helping to maintain a healthy ecological balance. Without them, the use of pesticides would increase unthinkably and crop production would suffer greatly.

Astonishingly, there are believed to be more than 200,000 different species of wasps in the world: only half of them discovered today. Sitting at the top of most insect food chains, wasps feed on just about every pest insect on the planet. Their agricultural food diet (think caterpillars, centipedes, spiders) plays an increasingly important role in worldwide food security. For all its drawbacks, the wasp is ever-present, protects vital crops, helps control pests and ensures that plants and fruits continue to thrive.

HOW IMPORTANT IS WASP POLLINATION?

The importance of pollination cannot be understated. The significant economic benefit and huge biological contributions of pollination are often unfairly credited to bumblebees alone – believe it or not, wasps are equally important.

One famous example is the relationship between the fig tree and the fig wasp. A female fig wasp enters the body of a fig, lays her eggs, shares the pollen of the fig she came from and dies. If there are no figs, then the fig wasps would have nowhere to lay their eggs. Without its pollinators (i.e. fig wasps) the fig seed would not spread and figs would quickly become extinct. In some parts of the world, where the fig fruit supports the diet of over one thousand mammals and birds, fig extinction would be a biological disaster. Suddenly, a world without wasp pollination – and without figs, among other important fruits – becomes a very different one.

HOW TO HANDLE A WASP PROBLEM ON YOUR PROPERTY

If you notice a significant population of wasps around your property, then chances are there’s a wasp nest nearby. Removing a wasp nest is a complex issue and normally requires professional help. Truly Nolen technicians are wasp control experts and it’s important that you seek their assistance before attempting to remove wasps yourself.

You want to make sure that you avoid painful (and sometimes allergic) wasp stings. A colony of wasps can be aggressive and dangerous to you and others. Sometimes, after attempting to remove a nest yourself, you’ll discover that you may actually be dealing with several wasp colonies. The problem just became much more complex and dangerous.

Wasp nests are found in many different locations. They can be under window sills, in trees, beneath bushes or a part of any building overhang. There could even be several different colonies found within the same nest. Do you know which species of wasp you’re dealing with? The treatment for each species varies. Once you disturb the nest, wasps will produce a distress signal and before you know it a massive swarm will be ready to attack. TO prevent this from happening, enlist the help of wasp control experts like Truly Nolen.