Wasps are intelligent and complex.
But can you wait for them to die out?
Wasps can be a deceptively tricky pest to deal with.
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For homeowners hoping to wait them out, it’s best to know how long wasps normally live.
Meet the Expert
Bob Gilbertis a board-certified entomologist atBlue Sky Pest Control.
RichLegg / Getty Images
How Long Do Wasps Live?
The lifespan of a wasp can depend on several factors, including their environment.
This activity takes a toll on their body, leading to a shorter lifespan.
Drone wasps are male wasps that live for a few weeksjust long enough to fertilize new queen wasps.
Except for queen wasps, most dont live past a few months.
But that largely depends on where you live and weather conditions.
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What Kills Wasps?
A wasp lives a very challenging life.
They endure against predators, weather temperatures, and food availability.
Major natural threats can further shorten their lifespan.
When Do Wasps Die?
Understanding how long wasps live means knowing when theyre likely to die.
Wasps thrive in the spring and summer but start to wane in the fall and winter.
The queen wasp will stop laying eggs in late summer.
Instead, theyll produce other queen wasps to hibernatethrough the winterand create new colonies in the new year.
Since wasps have a high metabolism and are constantly moving around, they need a lot of food.
Without it, theyll likely die within a few days.
How to Get Rid of Wasps.
“Paper waspscould be fine untreated, again depending on where they are located, Gilbert says.
But sometimes, a wasp nest can grow as big as a basketball, housing a colony of thousands.
How Long Do Wasps Live?Dalton Supplies.
European WaspsPest Control.Victoria Department of Health
