Wasps are highly attracted to sugar, but this attraction is part of a complex nutritional strategy tied directly to the life cycle of their colony. Social wasps, such as yellow jackets and hornets, require a mix of protein and carbohydrates to function. While their overall diet is diverse, the intensity of their desire for sweet liquids changes dramatically depending on the season and the internal needs of the nest. The search for readily available sugar from human food and drinks is a direct response to a biological shift within the colony structure.
The Wasp’s Primary Role as a Predator
During the spring and early to mid-summer, the primary focus of the adult worker wasps is not sugar, but protein. They act as skilled predators, hunting a variety of insect pests, including caterpillars, flies, and spiders, to bring back to the nest. This protein-rich prey is not consumed by the adult workers themselves, as their narrow digestive system prevents the ingestion of solid food. Instead, the masticated prey is fed directly to the developing larvae within the colony.
This exchange establishes a symbiotic relationship within the nest, known as trophallaxis, which is central to the colony’s survival. In return for the protein meal, the larvae secrete a clear, carbohydrate-rich liquid that the adult workers drink. This sugary secretion provides the adult worker wasps with the necessary fuel for flight, foraging, and performing their daily tasks. For much of the summer, the workers have an internal and consistent source of carbohydrates, making them less interested in outside sugar sources.
The Seasonal Shift in Wasp Diet
The noticeable spike in wasp attraction to human food and drinks occurs in the late summer and early fall due to a profound biological change in the colony. As the season progresses, the queen stops laying eggs, and the existing larvae begin to mature into pupae. Once the larvae pupate, they no longer require the protein provided by the workers, and they stop producing the sugary secretion.
This loss cuts off the adult worker wasps from their primary carbohydrate source. Workers still require high-energy fuel to power their constant flight and maintain their bodies. This carbohydrate deficiency forces the adult wasps to actively seek external sources of sugar to sustain their energy levels.
The wasps become opportunistic scavengers, intensely drawn to any easily accessible carbohydrates, which often include human foods. They will seek out fallen, overripe fruit, tree sap, and sweet liquids left unattended at picnics and outdoor gatherings. Refined sugars in sodas, juices, and desserts offer a quick, potent energy boost, making them irresistible targets for the carbohydrate-deprived workers.
Effective Ways to Discourage Sugar-Seeking Wasps
Understanding the wasp’s desperate need for external carbohydrates in late summer allows for effective mitigation strategies. The most direct method involves eliminating or covering their preferred food sources.
Eliminating Food Sources
- Sweet beverages, especially open cans and cups, should be covered or consumed using straws and lids to prevent access.
- Immediate and thorough clean-up of any spills, particularly sticky liquids like soda or juice, is important to eliminate easy feeding spots.
- Promptly collect fallen fruit from trees, as fermentation increases the sugars and attracts wasps looking for a quick meal.
- Garbage and recycling bins, which often contain sugary residues, must be kept tightly sealed to remove this attractive scavenging location.
Diversion and Deterrents
Strategic placement of decoy food or traps can also divert wasps away from human activity areas. Wasp traps are often baited with a sweet liquid mixture of sugar, water, and a drop of dish soap to break the surface tension. These traps can be hung a distance away from a patio or dining area. Natural deterrents, such as placing pots of mint or basil nearby, or hanging cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil, may also help discourage their presence.