Where Do Queen Wasps Hibernate?

– It’s a bee!
– It’s a wasp!
– No, it’s a queen wasp in the house!

This post is for you if you:

• noticed a black and yellow striped flying insect in or around your home;
• are allergic to wasps stings and mustn’t go near them;
• want to read more about queen wasps.

Where do queen wasps hibernate in winter?

Queen wasps are the only ones that hibernate. All workers from the nest die off before winter comes. Since there’s no food easily available in winter – no flower, no pollen, no nectar, no fruit – the queen goes into hibernation mode.

They do so in various places such as hollow trees, cracks and the like. Generally, they are looking for shelter in narrow places to protect themselves from the low temperatures in winter. Sometimes they are found by other predatory insects and are eaten by them. Such predators are spiders and other arachnids.

Do wasps hibernate in houses?

It is often that crevices in houses are appealing to queen wasps looking for a safe place to hibernate. Considering a house would likely be free from other pests and dangerous insects, a wasp can easily survive winter in there.

So yes, there could be a wasp queen hibernating in your house. And yes, when spring comes and it emerges from its shelter, it’s possible that it can start building its nest near your home.

Queen wasp nest in the house

As soon as winter is over and the temperatures start to rise, the wasp emerges from its hiding place. A queen wasp’s hibernation can end as early as March and as late as May. Once out, it immediately goes out in search of an appropriate place for the nest, and then scavenges for building materials.

After some of the nest is built, it lays eggs and starts scavenging for food. When the eggs hatch, the worker wasps emerge and start working for the greater good of the nest and the colony. A single nest can have thousands of wasps if it’s left unbothered for a long period of time.

If the queen was hibernating near your home, it’s most likely it will deem your home suitable to make its nest. If you notice a single wasp flying around your home or towards the same spot of your home in early spring, you should check where it hides.

A nest may be in the works and it’s better to remove it while it’s small and the colony hasn’t formed yet.

Do queen wasps sting?

The queen wasp can sting you, just like a normal wasp would. The queen wasp sting wouldn’t feel much different than a normal wasp’s sting. They have the same venom. Additionally, both – the queen and a worker wasp – can sting you multiple times.

Does killing a queen wasp get rid of the colony?

Not really. If the nest is built, and the colony exists, killing the queen wasp won’t help. They will simply select one of the queens in training, if any. Killing the queen must be done at the right time and prevent the building of the nest and forming of the colony. 

Takeaways

Overall, if you notice a queen wasp, a colony of wasps, or hornets flying in and out of your house, then there is a high chance there’s a nest on your property or one is being built there. Measures you need to take if there’s a wasp nest in your house:

• Identify the nest and insect species so you’re certain they are wasps.
• Be careful not to anger them because they will attack you.
• If you’re allergic, afraid, or don’t want to deal with the nest, call your local Fantastic Services wasps exterminators to check up the nest.
• Get the nest inspected, treated, and if possible, removed.
• Enjoy your wasp- free home. 

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Did you find our article on recognising queen wasps helpful? Why not share your thoughts or personal experience with us in the comments below?

Image source: Shutterstock / SKatzenberger