Why wasp numbers are booming in the UK - and why it’s actually a good thing
Wasps are ‘widely vilified’ but ‘essential’ this spring
- The UK is experiencing a significant increase in wasp numbers this season, following its warmest spring on record.
- Experts attribute this rise to the mild winter and record-warm, dry spring, which created ideal conditions for more wasp queens to survive and establish colonies.
- Despite their unpopularity, wildlife professors Adam Hart and Seirian Sumner emphasise that the abundance of wasps is beneficial for the environment, as they are essential pest controllers, pollinators, and predators.
- The current influx is particularly noticeable because 2024 saw a marked decrease in wasp populations, though overall numbers remain lower than those observed 30 or 40 years ago.
- Due to the warm weather, wasps are appearing at picnics earlier than the usual late August, and advice for avoiding stings includes staying still and offering them food.