Why Are There So Many Wasps in the UK in October?
When we think of wasps, most of us picture summer picnics ruined by uninvited stripy guests. But in the UK, October can actually be one of the busiest months for wasp activity — and there’s a surprising reason why.
As autumn sets in, wasps become more noticeable, more persistent, and far more interested in our food. By October, the social wasp colony — especially Common Wasps and German Wasps — is breaking down. The workers are searching aggressively for sweet food. Their desire for sugar is due to the fact that the queen stops producing larvae so the workers suddenly have no role or their sugary reward from the larvae. So naturally, the worker wasps start looking elsewhere; like our bins, gardens and even in a pint!
Autumn provides a buffet of fermented fruit — rotting apples, berries, plums. Wasps eat them and the natural alcohol affects their behaviour. This is why wasps might seem to be acting ‘drunk’. Wasps might be unsteady in flight, aggressively persistent, or unpredictable near food. Believe it or not, they are not trying to annoy you or even that interested in you- wasps want their sugar.
If there is a nest near a doorway, in a chimney or a shed perhaps, we strongly suggest calling out a professional to deal with it. We urge you not to try and block the nest entrance or ignoring large nests in/near the home. Wasps are aggressive enough when it comes to defending their nests throughout the year; but add in the chaos of the colony collapsing, the alarm pheromones they can release when under threat, and being a bit tipsy, a professional pest controller like Devon Pest Control will ensure to remove it no problem and leave you safe!
October marks the dramatic end to the wasp season — when once-industrious garden helpers turn into sugar-seeking troublemakers. But…Wasps have spent the summer protecting our gardens and our food from pests. They play an essential role in our ecosystems. So next time a wasp buzzes around your slice of cake, it may deserve a tiny bit of credit — even if it’s overstayed its welcome.
