Wasps prey on many pests that humans detest, such as mosquitoes. So on one hand wasps are good, but they can really sting if disturbed. So many homeowners detest them and want to get rid of them. However, they themselves are prey to several other creatures. So, if you are not interested in controlling wasp populations in your garden through chemical means, you should know the natural predators of wasps. Some of those predators are discussed below.
Red Footed Cannibal Fly
The red-footed cannibal fly; which is a type of robber fly and found in the southeastern parts of the United States, is one of the main predators of wasps.
Birds
Have a garden that is friendly to bird. This will help not only to get of garden pests, but also wasps that have built a nest there. The Summer Tanager regularly preys on wasps. It consumes wasps as well as wasp larvae by scraping them against a tree, so as to break their stingers. Other birds include gray catbirds, orioles, bluebirds, warblers, chipping sparrows, and the house wren.
Bullfrogs
Bullfrogs prey on almost everything they are able to catch and eat, and this includes wasps. These large frogs are native to the eastern part of the US, but now inhabit all regions in the country.
Lizards
Other insectivores include iguanas, lizards, and salamanders. There are many different species of lizards that consume wasps willingly if they find and locate them.
Bats
Bats, whose 70 percent count are insectivores; eat all the insects including wasps. Hence, building a bat house may attract bats and lower wasp population in your garden.
Spiders
Few wasps like spider wasps are known to prey on spiders, but the remaining themselves are prey for other spiders. One among them is the yellow garden spider. Spiders that use their webs to snare prey are quite capable of preying on wasps. Those spiders that are smaller in size compared to wasps tend to attach themselves on the underside of the wasp’s abdomen. Unable to detach the spider, the wasp has an excruciating death as the spider begins sucking out the juices from it. Thus, leaving a transparent and empty, wasp exoskeleton.
Badgers and Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs and Badgers are also the predators of wasp. Hedgehog’s skin has thick spines; therefore, it is protected from the wasp sting with no effect on it. Whereas, badgers can dig and destroy a complete nest just to eat wasp larvae. Underground nests are commonly seen demolished by badgers in summer.
More Articles :
- First Aid For Wasp Sting
- How To Deal With Wasps Nests ?
- Life Cycle Of A Wasp
- Natural Predator Of Wasps
- Wasp Identification Chart
eHow: Natural Predators of Waspshttps://www.ehow.com/list_6184602_natural-predators-wasps.html
Big Site Of Amazing Facts: How Many Natural Predators Do Wasps Have
https://www.bigsiteofamazingfacts.com/how-many-natural-predators-do-wasps-have-and-why-dont-birds-and-other-animals-die-when-they-eat-wasps
Some distinctive traits of a wasp can make the task of identifying them easier. Though they are predatory flying insects, they are generally useful for the environment at large. Wasps also help in pest control on agricultural tracts of land.