Have you noticed something that looks like a nest of insects stuck under your garden chairs? Before you get rid of it, it is better to know what it is.
Summer rhymes with sun, heat … and insects, with which you have to deal with. But when they decide to build their nest around the house, it is better to remain vigilant, especially if we do not know what species we are dealing with. This is particularly true for a type of nest that we sometimes find glued under the garden seats. Before removing it, it is better to look at it twice.
As you clean your garden furniture, you come across a small nest under your favorite chair. Surprise ! But don’t panic. Before wanting to eliminate it, it is important to know what it is. You risk destroying a species not only harmless, but also very useful for biodiversity. These small nests, the size of a ping-pong ball, are often taken for dirt or nests of aggressive wasps. However, their very smooth structure, sometimes in the shape of an elongated pot or dome, betrays their artisanal origin.
The Masonnes wasps, also called the potter wasps, are lonely wasps. Not to be confused with common wasps, capable of transforming a barbecue into a nightmare! To recognize them, trust their dark dress, sometimes black, and their fine and slender silhouette. Their nests are also very typical: small, built with dried mud and plant debris, they look like small clay pots. Hence their name. They can be found everywhere: in the cracks of the walls, behind the shutters, in the trees or under the garden furniture. Places protected from rain, sun and predators.
If you come across a nest of masonry wasps, do not destroy it. Move it gently in a quieter place, where it can remain safe. To do this, a flat knife can help you take it off gently, before resting it elsewhere. Unlike the common wasps, the Masonic wasps feed mainly on insects. They notably love spiders, which they regulate the population.
Even if they are harmless to humans, they can sting if they feel threatened. And their bite is painful because they inject a large amount of venom. Of course, if you are allergic to insect bites or if you have a doubt about the species encountered, it is preferable to call on a professional or not to intervene directly.
