While the sight of a wasp buzzing around your garden and inviting themselves to your picnics and barbecues in the daytime is nothing unusual in the summer months. Our evenings are typically free from these striped insects. We explore what they do when the sun sets and answer the questions are wasps more active at night or are wasps less active at night?
It seems cosy to think of wasps returning to their nests at night and tucking in their young ready for a night of rest, but the reality is that wasps do not sleep in the same way that humans do. Wasps do return to their nests and may appear inactive at night but they do not sleep in the way we might think of sleeping.
Wasps have a bit of a bad reputation. With their menacing buzzing, painful stings, and pesky insistence on crashing picnics, these insects seem to exist only to torment us. But have you ever wondered what wasps get up to after the sun goes down? What’s their nighttime routine when we humans are safely tucked away in our beds?
It turns out, wasps have a fascinating secret life after dark. Read on to learn all about the habits of wasps at night.
Do Wasps Sleep at Night?
Let’s start by getting one common misconception out of the way. Wasps do not actually sleep at night, at least not in the way that humans do. They don’t have a central nervous system that needs traditional sleep to recharge.
However wasps do enter a dormant state at night where they become largely inactive. Their metabolism slows way down as the temperatures drop after sunset. So while they may not technically be sleeping wasps enter a sleep-like state of torpor during the nighttime hours.
The Night Owls – Nocturnal Wasp Species
While most wasps are active during the day (diurnal), there are some species that have adapted to become nocturnal. These night owl wasps have developed specialized eyes and sensory organs that allow them to navigate and hunt in darkness.
Some examples of nocturnal wasps include
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Nocturnal paper wasps – These wasps forage for food and build nests at night. They don’t rest much during the day either, instead defending the nest entrance from intruders.
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European hornets – The most common night-flying wasp. Attracted to lights and can sting even after dark.
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Velvet ants – The females of some velvet ant species only emerge at night to look for prey like caterpillars.
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Braconid wasps – Parasitic wasps that lay eggs on caterpillars at night, providing food for larvae when they hatch.
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Ichneumonid wasps – Equipped with special eyes to see in the dark, these wasps hunt at night.
Wasps Hard at Work
Rather than settling in to sleep, there are important jobs to be done around the wasp nest after sunset. The wasps that remain behind spend their nights:
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Building and repairing the nest – Using chewed wood pulp and plant fibers, wasps fix any damage sustained during the day. This activity can generate noticeable noise.
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Taking care of larvae – Developing larvae are fed and nurtured throughout the night by adult worker wasps.
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Guarding the entrance – Some species, like nocturnal paper wasps, will cluster at the nest entrance all night to protect against intruders.
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Foraging for food – Nocturnal wasp species leave the nest to hunt for caterpillars, spiders, and other prey under cover of darkness.
So while we’re sleeping, wasps are still buzzing away! Their nights are filled with hunting, nest maintenance, and caring for young.
Special Eyes for the Darkness
An interesting evolutionary adaptation allows nocturnal wasp species to navigate and function normally at night. Most possess large, specialized eyes called ocelli on the tops of their heads. These ocelli pick up on even tiny amounts of light, enabling excellent vision in low light conditions.
Other wasps may not be able to see as clearly, but can still perceive light levels. So if a bright porch light flips on nearby, it will draw the attention of any active wasps in the area after dark.
Removing Wasp Nests at Night
Many homeowners assume that nighttime is the safest time to deal with those pesky wasp nests around the yard, thinking wasps are docile and sleeping after dark. But as we now know, this isn’t quite the case. Nocturnal species are wide awake and others can still sting if disturbed.
That being said, nighttime removal is still typically recommended since the cooler temperatures make wasps slower and less reactive. Just make sure to approach with care and have a powerful wasp spray on hand just in case they decide to defend! Calling a professional exterminator to handle the job is also a smart choice.
When the Sun Comes Up
Morning draws most wasp species out of their lethargic overnight state. As sunrise warms the air and stimulates their metabolism, you’ll see wasps emerging from nests to resume buzzing around your backyard.
The nocturnal wasps will be heading home to settle in for the day after a long night of hunting under moonlight. The diurnal workers are fueled up and ready for another day gathering food, building nests, and generally annoying hapless humans!
The Takeaway
Rather than settling in for a good night’s sleep, wasps keep extremely busy after the sun dips below the horizon. Whether they are out searching for food, fixing up the nest, or caring for young, these insects always have work to do.
Next time you hear an ominous buzzing around your porch light late at night, remember it’s just one of the hard-working nocturnal wasps out on the job! Learning about their secret nighttime routines gives us a peek into the fascinating hidden lives of wasps.
Is it Best to Remove a Wasp Nest at Night?
Often guides to DIY wasp removal will recommend acting at night. This is because most of the wasps will have returned to the nest, meaning it’s possible to remove the colony completely. Wasps are also thought to be easier to deal with at this time as they are less active.
However, this method is still extremely dangerous and we do not recommend any attempts to remove a wasp nest yourself. Always seek the advice of a professional pest controller before carrying out any DIY pest control methods and never attempt any sort of wasp control if there is a chance you could be allergic to wasp stings.
What do Wasps do at Night?
Wasps don’t fly at night and will be confined to their nest.During this time, they carry out duties such as caring for larvae and makingany repairs needed to the nest.
If you approach a wasp nest at night, you might be able tohear the noise that larvae make or the worker wasps attending to nest repairs.
WASP ATTACK MY HOUSE AT “NIGHT” #shorts #wasp
FAQ
Will a wasp sting you at night?
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Wasps are mostly inactive at night:They return to their nests to rest and carry out duties like caring for larvae and repairing the nest.
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While wasps are generally inactive at night, they may still be active if their nest is disturbed.
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If you accidentally disturb a wasp nest, they may become defensive and sting, regardless of the time of day.
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Some species, like hornets, may exhibit increased activity during dusk or early evening as they return to their nests.
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Wasps are territorial and will attack when anything approaches their nest, but they are less likely to attack at night unless their nest is disturbed.
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Yellow jackets are known to be more aggressive than other wasps and are more likely to attack if they feel threatened.
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Male wasps do not have the ability to sting.
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If you see a wasp, simply stand as still as possible. If you are chased by a wasp or even a swarm of wasps, the best thing to do is to run in a straight line about 50 to 100 feet.
Is it normal for wasps to be out at night?
At night, wasps and hornets tend to be less active and may retreat to their nests to rest.
What type of wasp is active at night?
The Central American paper wasp (Apoica pallens) is a nocturnal eusocial wasp (family Vespidae). It is famous for its swarm based emigration behavior, and is native to the lowlands of Central and northern South America.
Is it safe to knock down a wasp nest at night?
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Reduced Activity:Wasps are typically less active at night, meaning they are less likely to be flying around and potentially sting you.
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Nest Location:At night, most wasps are inside their nest, making it easier to locate and remove the nest without disturbing them.
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Safety Precautions:While nighttime removal is generally safer, it’s still important to take precautions, such as wearing protective clothing and using a long stick or pole to knock down the nest.
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Early Morning or Evening:The best time to remove a wasp nest is during the evening or early morning hours, when the majority of the wasps are likely to be in their nest.
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Paper Wasp Nests:If you spot a nest in the initial stage when the queen has just began to build it then you can knock it down anytime.
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Yellow Jacket or Hornet Nests:If you are dealing with a yellow jacket’s or hornet’s nest and you don’t have any experience removing nests, the likelihood of getting stung is very high, so enlist the help of a pest control professional.