Respect wasps in your Florida yard

Paper wasps on a nest. (File photo)

FLORIDA—I respect the fact that wasps can sting when threatened or disturbed. But I also respect the fact that they are beneficial.

Florida lawn and gardening advice from Larry Williams, Residential Horticulture Agent with the Okaloosa County Extension, University of Florida/IFAS.

Every time I’ve been stung by wasps, I either accidentally disturbed a nest that I didn’t know was there, or I intentionally disturbed the nest and paid the price.

Most recently, I was outside with my new nine-week-old puppy when he unknowingly disturbed a well-hidden paper wasp nest in a clump of muhly grass near my front door.

Thankfully, I was in close proximity to little Blue (puppy’s name).

Niceville.com Community Partner

I quickly came to his rescue, grabbed him up in my arms while moving away from the plant and at the same time brushing him off. He was stung twice. This resulted in his first visit to the veterinarian. Thankfully, he is okay.

Later that day, I took care of that hidden wasp nest.

Paper wasps are common in Florida. They frequently construct and attach their paper-like nests to building eaves or porch ceilings. However, occasionally, they will build their nest more in the open in a shrub or clump of ornamental grass.

And, by summer, their numbers per nest can be high. So be careful when pruning or when in close proximity to these plants this time of year.

Blue is now leery of that muhly grass plant.

Larry Williams’ puppy, Blue, was stung by wasps after he disturbed a nest hidden in a clump of muhly grass. This resulted in his first visit to the veterinarian. Thankfully, he is okay. Blue is a cross between a Weimaraner and a Black Labrador (Contributed)

Wasps are also beneficial. The paper wasp primarily feeds on caterpillars. The female uses her stinger to paralyze the caterpillar and then carries it back to the nest to feed the developing wasps.

They are busy doing us gardeners a favor by reducing the population of caterpillars as well as other plant pests such as cicadas and beetle larvae in our landscapes and gardens. This insect also helps pollinate plants and crops when feeding on plant nectar.

It may not be wise to tolerate all wasp species living in close proximity to your home. Even though yellow jackets, a type of wasp, could be considered beneficial, they are too aggressive and too likely to repeatedly sting to have as close neighbors.

I also would be concerned with any type of wasp nest existing in close proximity to individuals with a known allergy to insect stings.

Just because an insect has the ability to sting doesn’t mean that it is all bad. Wasps can serve a beneficial purpose. But you’ll have to decide for yourself how close to you they can build their nests. The front porch may be too close.

Here is a link to a UF/IFAS Extension publication with more information about the paper wasp: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1112.

Larry Williams is the Extension Horticulture Agent with the Okaloosa County Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida. You can contact Larry at 689-5850 or email lwilliams@myokaloosa.com.