Wasps Have A Bad Reputation, But Should We Be Making Friends With Them?

[Sunrising]

Wasps are incredibly beneficial to mankind.

They serve as nature's ultimate pest control by hunting massive numbers of crop damaging insects, protecting agriculture and gardens from pests, and reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

Additionally they pollinate flowers and fruit trees.

Wasps are also being researched to aid cancer, with their venom's ability to target cancer cells without harming healthy cells.

Wasps help the ecological balance, being scavengers, they aid in decomposition and provide essential protein in the food chain for birds etc.

Wasps possess surprising cognitive abilities that extend far beyond simple instinct, and certain species can recognise and remember individual faces in humans and their own species, similar to humans.

Wasps can apply logical reasoning to situations, and are able to learn and adapt.

Scientists studying these insects suggest that dealing with the complexities of social living, rather than just finding food, has driven the evolution of their advanced cognitive skills.

Wasps do not go out of their way to harm humans, but will become defensive and attack if they feel threatened, trapped or if you get too close to their nests.

Swatting and fast or jerky movements at a wasp is viewed by the insect as a direct attack, which will often prompt them to sting.

If a wasp is crushed or panics, it releases a chemical alarm pheromone that can cause nearby colony members to join in.

Unlike bees, wasps can sting you multiple times in quick succession without dying, and while a sting usually results in temporary localised pain and swelling, multiple stings or an allergic reaction can be very serious, and you should seek medical help immediately if you experience symptoms of difficulty breathing, severe swelling, or dizziness.

If you are stung clean the site with warm water and soap, apply cold commpress, take painkillers or antihistamine to mitigate itching and inflammation.

A. I get on well with wasps.

B. I'm terrified of wasps.

C. Wasps are misunderstood, and will only attack if you attack them.

D. Something else.

[Chazmatazz269]

I was stung dozens of times as a kid because wasps and i had a mutual disdain. Then i developed an allergy and learned that when i didn’t f*ck with them, they didn’t f*ck with me.
You did a good job outlining many of the benefits of letting wasps be to fulfill their purpose in the natural order. Here’s another tip for coexisting with our sometimes ornery neighbors. In the late summer and early autumn, leave water out for wasps. They sometimes seem grumpier at that time because water sources can be harder for them to access and their vision wanes with dehydration, making it difficult to distinguish threats from non-threats. So give the thirsty buggers a drink and thank them for all that they do for you.

[Sunrising]

It's very hot here at present, and I put some water out for the birds.

The wasps were also thirsty, and came for a drink too.

[MrChinaski]

They are unrepentant killers. I was stung by one a few months ago. The second or so time it flew by my head I swatted it against my neck. It died. With its sting inside me. Blood was everywhere and I had cold-like symptoms for a couple of days.

I think they should have a worse reputation than they do.

[Sunrising]

I'm very sorry to here of your ordeal.

I was involved in a similar incident a few years ago.

I was walking passed a building that had been overgrown, for a long time, and the owners had decided to chop it all down. I should have realised there might have been a wasp nest in the trees etc. and they must have removed the nest too.

Having lost their home the wasps were not happy, and they stung me as I walked passed.

I regularly come across wasps when outside having a meal or drink, and this is the only time I've been stung.

[sage2021]

I'll send the wasps from my patio over to your house 🏡

[WhitneySnow]

I agree with you. I voted C.

[OlderAndWiser]

I try to stay away from them.

[XXblack88]

I don't like wasps but I get they help with the garden from my experience they don't mess with people unless they're messing with them usually

[exitseven]

I try and avoid them but I am not really afraid of them.