Wasps are probably one of the most familiar and feared groups of insects because of their stings. They are beneficial in the garden as the workers collect insect larvae and thereby help control insect pests. However, generally they are regarded as nuisance pests particularly at the end of the summer when the worker wasps are attracted to sweet materials such as fruit and jams.
The fertilised queen wasp hibernates over winter in areas such as garden sheds, under loose bark and bird boxes. She emerges from hibernation around mid-April and searches for a suitable site to build a nest for example in roof spaces, wall cavities or trees.