Wasp Series Part 1: What is the Value of Wasps?

Because wasps are rampant in residential areas, most people are somewhat leery of them. This is the first of a two-part series on wasps: what they’re about and how to manage them.

Wasps can be dangerous as, on average, more than 60 sting-related deaths occur in the USA each year. Although a wasp sting is unlikely to cause death in most run-ins, you should still avoid them. You don't want to make them angry or go into an area heavily swarmed with these dangerous winged beasts. 

As you may know, wasps are not bees - you will not enjoy the company of a wasp during a picnic outside! Yet, they offer some benefits despite the danger. Here is some helpful information about wasps:

Wasps provide ecosystem services

Ecosystems services benefit humans from the natural environment or species that make up that specific environment. Ecosystem services include pollination, clean air, and weather mitigation. 

For example, similar to spiders, wasps are predators. They hunt other insects and give them to their offspring as sources of protein. Adult wasps hunt and baby wasps eat the captured prey to develop into effective, predatory wasps like their parents. 

In doing so, wasps function as population control for other insects in the area and naturally prevent humans from using more pesticides to protect crops. They also lessen disease-carrying insect infestations by having them for dinner. 

Wasps are often misunderstood

Honey bees get all the credit for flower pollination. Yet, very few people know that wasps also go flower to flower. Wasps are less fussy pollinators than bees. In areas where a bee population may not have adequate resources to survive or enough preferred plant life to pollinate, wasps prove to be excellent backup pollinators. They will often pollinate the flowers that bees choose not to visit. 

Wasps are still dangerous

Keep in mind that wasps are lethal insects. At no point should people, especially small children, seek out a wasp or wasp nest. While these yellow-and-black winged creatures are helpful in our environments, you do not need them inhabiting your home or yard. 

Unlike honeybees, wasps can sting continuously without losing their stinger. This feature makes them especially dangerous around pets or children. 

Why Call a Pro?

Next month we will talk about why a homeowner should call a pro in the event of a wasp infestation.

Russell Pest Control boasts a team of trained and certified technicians for providing comprehensive residential pest control solutions in the Phoenix Valley. From silverfish control, ants control, and roach control to wasp control and honey bee removal, expect nothing but the best from our family-owned business. Call today.