Natural Predators of Wasps
Although wasps are natural predators of many unwanted pests, such as mosquitoes, they can also be unwanted pests themselves. There are a variety of pesticides that can be purchased to eliminate wasp colonies, but they can be harmful to other insects, plants, and people. Within nature's natural eco-structure is a hierarchy of creatures that feed on other creatures to maintain a stable environment. Just as wasps are predators to other creatures, there are creatures that are predators to wasps. Does this Spark an idea?
Red Footed Cannibalfly
The Red Footed Cannibalfly is a type of robber fly, and one of the few insects that eats wasps. The Red Footed Cannibalfly is usually found in the southeastern United States.
Birds
The Summer Tanager is an example of a bird that is a wasp predator. This bird eats wasps and their larvae. Tanagers actually scrape the wasp against a tree to break off its stingers. Other birds that prey on wasps are bluebirds, orioles, warblers, gray catbirds, chipping sparrows, chickadees and house wrens. Creating a bird-friendly yard is a simple means of lowering the number of unwanted pests around your house.
Bullfrogs
Bullfrogs are a predator to anything they can catch and swallow, including wasps. Although indigenous to the eastern United States, these large frogs can be found throughout the country.
Lizards
Lizards, iguanas, and salamanders exist in many varieties native to different areas of the world. Most are insectivores and prey on wasps.
Bats
Approximately 70 percent of bats are insectivores. These bats will eat practically any insect, including wasps. Constructing a bat house in your yard may attract a bat population and, as a result, lower your wasp population.
Spiders
Some wasps (such as spider wasps) are predators of spiders, while others fall prey to them. One spider that eats wasps is the yellow garden spider. Most spiders that catch prey using a web are entirely capable of capturing and eating wasps.
Badgers and Hedgehogs
A badger can destroy an entire nest of wasps in an effort to get to the larvae inside. Hedgehogs are also wasp predators. Covered with thick spines, the hedgehog's skin is protected and a wasp's sting has no effect.
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