Wasps

I have a Virburnum Bodnantense in a large planter. It has finished flowering and the leaves have formed. We have noticed over this past weekend that it is attracting a number of wasps. They settle on the leaves and also the stems. We cannot see any damage nor anything that might be attracting them specifically to this plant.

Any ideas gratefully received since my husband is allergic to wasps!!

PP

 

"It does seem a little early for wasp"

I agree, I don't really consider them to be a major nuisence until August bank holiday ...

Could they be something else?

 

Could they be hoverflies ?

 

you can buy fake wasp nests to hang in your garden, wasps are quite territorial and so are unlikely to come over (apparently) it certainly works in my garden, we get almost none (I'm v allergic to wasps too!!)

 

theyre called waspinators

link

http://www.waspinator.co.uk/

i have one hanging from a tree trunk i also put a jam jar out with some jam around the rim

i really dont like wasps
i remember in my old house cutting the grass and i must have accidentally disturbed some nesting wasps, next thing i felt these nips and sting all over my arms and legs
(i was wearing shorts and t shirt) i ran into the house afew followed me up into the bathroom where i stood under the shower for protection

i went to my local A&E and they saw me right away
i was stung countless times
i dont like wasps at all

 

wasps are about and nest building. Yesterday one was gathering wood mache rightnext to where I was weeding and clearing.

If its very quiet you can here them scraping the top surface off wood and dead stems.

 

What a fantastic site - all you never even knew you wanted to know about wasps including fiction, rock bands and history. :rotfl:

 

Many thanks to you all. They are quite definitely wasps and not hover flies. I think I'll try a Waspinator - again I have to say what a fascinating web site.

PP

 

Hello!!

Sometimes wasps are attracted to plants because they have a smell they like. Also they could be looking for food such as aphids & other bugs. I have also notices that they seem to be attracted to moss , especailly moss that you get on roof tiles.

Although wasps can be nasty critters, its important to realise that they can help in the garden with all the nasty pests are lovely veg & plants get. Wasps only get angry if you are near their nest or are busy flapping your hands around to get them away from you. When you are scared, your body releases a smell that attracts the wasps even more, so try to stay calm & they will fly away!!

But be aware that later in the season when they are feeding off rotton apples etc, that is when they will sting with no reason because they are probably drunk!!

I know wasps have a bad reputation, but they do help with pollination too & with the large decline with our wonderful bee's it's probably worth trying to live them if possible. :D

 

This says it all just perfectly :gnthb::gnthb: But I'm not beyond setting out traps in the autumn when they do start being a bit of a pest and annoying us