To avoid a colony of wasps settling near the house or patio, it is important to spot a queen wasp looking for a suitable spot in the spring.
Table of Contents
Look
The most widespread species of wasp in the local latitudes and thus also in the gardens is the German wasp (Vespula germanica). The wasp queen does not differ in appearance from the drones and workers. The German wasp, including its queen, has these distinguishing features:
- Kurzkopfwespe (Vespula)
- has a head shield with three black dots
- often just a straight black line
- can also be interrupted
- Body is yellow and black
- the drawing may vary
- long black antennae
- transparent wings
- six legs
Attention: Even if a queen has strayed into the apartment, according to the nature protection law, she cannot simply be killed. So you should find a way to capture the animal and bring it back to a suitable place for further hibernation. The wasp must not be endangered.
size
In contrast to the simple workers and drones in a wasp colony, the queen is of course a lot larger and can be recognized by this:
- physique stronger
- Helper of the German wasp about 16 mm tall
- Queen Wasp measures 20mm
- more like a hornet in size
- can be confused in solo flight
Note: Even a queen wasp can sting. However, the sting is similar because the stinger, although larger, contains no more venom than that of other wasps.
flight time
Also important to spotting a queen wasp is when the insect is observed. Since the queens are responsible for forming a new wasp colony in the spring, they usually fly at these times:
- in late summer and fall
- can be fertilized by drones
- afterwards looking for a crevice to hibernate
- at the first warm temperatures
- from about 15° Celsius a queen awakens
- the first thing to do is to look for food
- then in search of a suitable place for a new nest
- usually in the period from March to May
- during this time the state is slowly being built up
- she’s on the road for building materials and food
Note: If the colony has grown large enough in May, the queens will remain in the nest and be cared for by the workers.
