Does rising temperatures mean a rise in wasps?

Are you noticing more wasps buzzing around? 

Wasps thrive in the warm weather, so when the sun comes out it can feel like wasps are everywhere. 

But why do wasps love the summer months? And how can you manage them when the temperatures soar?

Heatwaves boost wasp activity

Dry weather conditions allow for: 

• Greater survival rates for Queens.  
• More active and early worker wasp behaviour. 
• Faster nest construction. 

Wasps are cold-blooded insects, so they depend on external temperatures to regulate their body temperature. 

While cold weather makes them sluggish, warm weather helps them fly more efficiently, forage for longer and expand their colonies at a rapid rate. 

This means during a heatwave, you may notice more wasps: 

• Flying around your garden.  

• Hovering near outdoor dining areas.  

• Gathering around bins, compost heaps and falling / rotting fruit. 

• Building nests. 

Late summer = large colonies 

Heatwaves naturally coincide with the time a wasp's nest reaches peak size. 

In the UK, the highest temperatures are typically recorded in late summer. A wasp's nest cycle also reaches its largest size during late summer. 

The dry conditions which improve activity, along with the naturally high population, makes it seem like wasps are everywhere. 

The persistent search for food  

Long periods of hot, dry weather can limit the availability of wasps' natural food sources, like nectar. 

Furthermore, larvae produce sugary secretions which are an important food source for adult wasps. But towards the end of summer and the nest’s lifecycle, colonies begin to decline. Meaning there’s less larvae to produce food for worker wasps. 

The lack of natural sources and larvae, mean that wasps must seek out alternative food sources around your home and garden, like: 

• Sugary drinks

• Ice cream

• Fruit

• Sweet desserts

• Barbecue food

• Pet food

Eating or leaving food outside can attract more wasps than usual during a heatwave as natural food sources are limited. This can make the already high number of wasps seem even more persistent.

Do heatwaves increase wasp numbers? 

While heatwaves can’t suddenly double the number of wasps, long, hot summers and warmer temperatures are beneficial to a colony’s growth and survival. 

Ideal weather conditions can result in larger, longer-lasting nests which produce more Queens for the following year. 

Hot weather also makes wasps more persistent, especially in the scenario of a heatwave, as food sources become scarce. 

Do you have a wasps nest? 

It seems obvious but if you’re seeing lots of wasps around your garden, you may have a wasps nest on your property. Some signs to look out for are:

• Faint buzzing sounds coming from inside the walls or roof of your home.

• A papery nest visible in your attic, eaves, garage, shed or outside structure. 

• Wasps appearing in locations repeatedly or flying into the same gap / opening. 

What to do if you have a wasp infestation

If you find a wasp nest on your property, it’s best to call a professional right away. 

Attempting to remove the nest yourself can result in painful stings and serious harm. 

The warmer weather causes wasps to have more energy, so you’re risking them being more defensive than usual. 

Calling an expert in wasp nest removalsaves you from any harm and guarantees the entire nest is dealt with effectively. 

How can you avoid wasps during hot weather? 

Whether you’ve just had a wasps nest removed and you want to prevent them returning, or you’re just looking to stay out of a wasps way this summer, here’s the how to: 

• Keep food and drinks covered.

• Clean up spills immediately.

• Empty outdoor bins regularly and keep lids closed.

• If you’re growing fruit in your garden, make sure to collect them when they’re ripe. Don’t leave fallen fruit to rot on the ground. 

• Avoid wearing sweet or floral perfumes.

If a wasp does approach you, leave it alone. Swatting can make wasps defensive, not interacting will mean the wasp leaves on its own - without stinging you beforehand. 

Final thoughts

Heatwaves don’t cause wasps to multiply, but they do mean that wasp nests are more active and persistent. 

Towards late summer wasp colonies are naturally at their largest, and scarce food means foraging is essential. All this makes it more likely that you’ll come into contact with a wasp or two when temperatures are high. 

Should you find a wasp nest on your property, call a professional right away. Avoid further infestations and possible stings by taking some simple precautions. Don’t leave sugary foods out around your home, properly dispose of waste, and always remain calm around wasps.