SUMMER is here – and so are the wasps.
There are around 150 species of solitary wasps found in Britain and most are small and intent upon hiding themselves away.
They are therefore not easily seen but those with gardens can encourage digger wasps.
Take a log of wood and strip off some of the bark before boring a few small holes in using a gimlet.
Female digger wasps may well deposit eggs in the holes.
All solitary wasps have a sting but most are not strong enough to penetrate human skin.
As their name implies they never form colonies of Queens, workers and males but each female constructs a number of nests and stocks each with caterpillars and larvae of insects and stings them.
They are not killed but merely put to sleep so that the wasp larva has a supply of living protein!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here