Everyone who’s encountered them knows that wasps can be a real pain in the butt to deal with. Not only is there the constant threat of getting stung, but there is also always a ton of them and they are tough to kill and hard to repel as well.
Oftentimes, people who stay inside tend to just leave wasps nest there until the autumn and winter come around and get rid of them. Is that okay to do? What happens if you leave a wasp nest? Can you ignore a wasp nest?
Yes, you can leave a wasp nest. There is nothing inherently bad about wasps unless they are becoming a pest to you, your pets, or your family. There are reasons to leave wasps nests alone, and also reasons to get rid of them, but nothing too bad should happen if you leave them there.
But what are the benefits of leaving a wasp nest where it is? What issues arise from ignoring wasps nests? What are the best ways to get rid of wasp nests? Read on to find out everything you need to know about what happens if you leave a wasp nest.
Can you ignore wasps nest?
So, can you simply ignore a wasps nest? In a perfect world, the answer would just be a simple “yes.” However, this is not always the case. The real answer is that it depends on where the nest is and your specific circumstances.
If the nest is out of harm’s way and the wasps aren’t really coming into contact with you, your family, or your pets very often, then it is probably fine to just let nature run its course. However, if the wasps are very close to your home or constantly harassing you, taking care of the nest is probably for the best.
Reasons for getting rid of wasp nests
There are a number of reasons it could be smart to get rid of a wasps nest. Firstly, if you have small children or pets, it’s probably for the best that you get rid of any wasp nests in the area, as you never know when a swarm could attack a pet or child that got a bit too curious.
Secondly, wasps are quite aggressive and their colonies grow quickly. An infestation can lead to swarms very quickly, which can be very dangerous, even for fully grown adults.
Are there benefits to leaving wasps nests where they are?
There are a few reasons that leaving a wasps nest alone could possibly be the right move. Firstly, wasps’ role in the ecosystem is that of pest control. They control the population of other insects. This is important so you don’t get a high number of other annoying insects flying all over your yard.
Wasps also fly from flower to flower, and similarly to bees, help with pollinating the flowers and plants in your yard. This is an important part of your yard’s natural ecosystem.
Are there negative effects to leaving wasps nests alone?
Other than the threat of their population growing out of control, and the threat of them stinging you and your family, there are no other negative effects to leaving a wasp nest alone. If they are out of the way and their number seems under control, it is recommended that you simply leave the nests be.
When is it fine to leave a wasp nest alone?
As long as the wasps are out of the way, not flying around near your home, and their population seems relatively under control, it should be fine to leave the nest alone.
If you want to leave the nest alone, it might be smart to put some repellants like mint or vinegar near your home or areas where you spend a lot of time, such as the garden. Also, make sure your yard is clean and your garbage is covered, so too many wasps aren’t being attracted.
Are wasps dangerous?
Wasps can be very dangerous if there are too many of them. Be very careful if you decide to get rid of a nest, as a swarm could attack in order to defend their nest and queen. This is a dangerous situation, and a high number of stings from certain kinds of wasps can seriously injure or even kill a human.
Are wasps useful?
Wasps are useful as far as population control for insects and pollination of plants is concerned. They aren’t quite as crucial as bees, but they do have their place in the ecosystem. This is why killing them for no reason isn’t usually recommended, and it should only be done if they truly pose a threat.
What are the easiest ways to get rid of a wasps nest?
The easiest way to get rid of a wasp nest is to either suffocate it with a plastic bag, use vinegar or mint to repel the wasps or use commercial wasp killers to destroy the nest.
Anything you can do from a range, such as spraying lemon extract solution, soapy water solution, or again, commercial wasp killers, are safe and effective strategies.
Non-lethal methods are better if you want to keep the benefits of the wasps discussed above. If you don’t care though, lethal methods are probably more effective in protecting yourself and your family from the danger of wasps.
When is the best time to get rid of a wasps nest?
If you’re going to destroy a wasp’s nest, make sure you’re doing it at night. Wasps are far less active during the night, so they will be slow, groggy, and many won’t come out of the nest as you handle it.
How long will wasp nests last on their own?
Wasp nests will eventually succumb to the cold when temperatures drop below freezing. They should persist through October and some of November, but not much later into the year. By December, all wasps nests are pretty much dead, unless they are located indoors where it is warm.
