Wasps

-carrie- · #1 (**permalink**) 14-04-2010, 03:40 PM

Hey,

Just looking for a few things that would identify a queen wasp... I had what I would have thought was one in my room the other day. I know April is relatively early for wasps.

Please can I only have descriptions though and NO PICTURES as I have quite a fear of wasps

(more in the traditional yellow black striped varieties) and can't even look at pics without them creeping me out (I know an odd thing to say on an insect forum). This is the reason I won't just google it...

Hedera · #2 (**permalink**) 14-04-2010, 03:54 PM

Carrie, queen wasps are about now and just coming out of hibernation so it's possible you have one in your house. Not to worry you, but they do crawl into shoes and slippers and even beds, so have a good look morning and evening. Keep a glass and piece of card handy to trap them if you can, as they crawl more than fly if sleepy. A queen is about threequarters of an inch long, has a distinct wasp-waist, and is black and yellow. They do buzz a bit. They won't sting unless hurt or pressed on. Put them outside if you catch one as it's quite warm now. I've seen several flying these last few days. They are useful insects, so tolerate them if possible.

-carrie- · #3 (**permalink**) 14-04-2010, 04:09 PM

This one was flying and as I have an attic room has probably hibernated in the loft space... it was at the window so I just opened it and off it flew... I can't get close enough to trap one with glass and card and I can't squish them to death either, I do tend to hope they sit at the window so I can open it...luckiy with them being skylights they swing right round so I can guarantee they leave the room and are away from me lol... Length wise, the typical waist and black and yellow sounds the same... do they have a slight fuzzy bit just behind their heads?

Hedera · #4 (**permalink**) 14-04-2010, 04:59 PM

A very little "fur" on back of head. Glad you got it out safely. You can always open a window and waft them out with a newspaper!!

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 14-04-2010, 06:59 PM

Evening Carrie,

Just so you know - we have several wasps that look similar, such as the Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris, German Wasp Vespula germanica and the Median Wasp Dolichovespula media. They can be seperated by abdominal/thorasic markings. To help you decide which yours was here is a picture of each... only joking

As you and Hed said, it'll have hibernated in your house and you witnessed it waking up.

Take care,

Jason