While some types of wasps are extremely beneficial, showing up at barbecues or around children can be dangerous. Yellow jackets on the ground can become a much bigger problem. Sand wasps usually nest in loose sand that gets a lot of sun during the day.
They are in charge of digging tunnels and living making some condominiums; these insects are not aggressive. Those who do not get too close to or disturb these wasps will not receive a harmful and painful sting. These sand wasps hunt insects by paralyzing them with their stingers and then dragging their prey to sand burrows.
What are sand wasps?
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Sand wasps have very similar habits to cicada killers, but these occur much earlier in spring. In this species of wasps, sizes vary widely, ranging from 1/2 – 1 inch in length. They are very thin wasps that have a dark color tone and reddish-gray bands that contrast them.
The sand wasps that are adults feed on the flowers’ nectar, thus pollinating plants and their natural processes. The females are in charge of digging burrows in the sandiest soils or any other type (they prefer the areas that do not have vegetation). The burrows drop down a few inches and have loose soil around the entrance to each one.
They live in colonies and, when the July heats arrive, holes begin to appear in the ground in the areas where the sun warms the most. It is a wasp of a respectable size, a couple of centimeters, and this is a reason for complaints from users of playgrounds.
How do sand wasps appear in your garden?
Sand wasps often arrive in gardens because they like to be in all exposed soils that are sandy. This is one of the most common habitats that these wasps have where they do not have the slightest interest in sharing or interrupting human activities. In all sandy soils and vegetation with almost no presence, these sand wasps may visit home gardens.
What does a sand wasp nest look like?
The funny thing about this species is that the nests are burrow-shaped several inches at the dry sand’s bottom. This is a nest that is not so easy to see with the naked eye since it is located under sandy places with little vegetation. However, they can be located with a little attention and wherever this insect’s presence is seen in home gardens.
What attracts sand wasps?
Sand wasps go about their business without being seen by humans and also without causing any annoyance. There are times when certain territories between wasps/humans have to fight or learn to live together. Sand wasps are usually attracted to all those places where there is a lawn with little vegetation, beach, public park, sandboxes, orchards, and much more.
These insects prefer all dry areas and with very little vegetation and gardens that have very little flora. When a sand wasp settles in a comfortable place, others decide to follow it and cover the holes in the sand.
Do sand wasps sting?
These wasps are not interested in humans’ slightest bit and not about the food they can leave lying around. They are predatory insects that are always looking for other live insects to carry their larvae. Human foods and humans themselves are not their targets, and they are not willing to nibble on just anyone.
Sand wasps can be hunting around people’s gardens every day, and they may not even be aware of it. Unlike other types of wasps that are known for their aggressiveness, sand wasps very rarely sting.
If they were to bite someone, these wasps feel threatened, and the nest also defending itself. They are more beneficial to humans than a deadly threat. However, they will always be ready to attack if they feel in danger.
How to get rid of sand wasps naturally?
Sand wasps are insects that can be quite annoying, and their bites hurt. There are natural methods to eliminate them from the root:
Home remedies
There are currently some home remedies that are highly effective and work as repellants for wasps without killing them. People must take into account not to leave food or drinks near the sand in terraces and gardens. Some plants and flowers are perfect to drive away wasps from the sand, lavender being one of the main wasp repellants in general.
Soap and water
Sand wasps are largely inactive at night and remain serene within their nests without hurting anyone. The mixture of 1 natural dish soap and a gallon of hot water from the tap serves as a perfect garden spray against sand wasps. Serve with any dish soap. However, it is advisable to consider natural and ecological options.
Wasp trap
Wasp traps will also kill sand wasps found in backyards or on the floors of homes. With a two-liter bottle, a funnel looks and pouring in some cola, beer, or other sugary substance, and it’s the perfect natural trap. The homemade funnel should be taped to the top of the bottle so that sand wasps can easily get inside.
How to prevent sand wasps?
Sand wasps are highly unlikely to sting as their stingers are egg-laying devices. However, these can be prevented:
Use of fertilizer
Although sand wasps are not highly dangerous, they can be intimidating and cause panic moments in homes. It is recommended that in the home patios’ lawns, plants that completely cover the ground or with compost are placed. The compost spread throughout the yard will reduce the chances of the presence of this wasp.
Insecticidal powders
Nesting areas in the backyards or gardens of homes can become a serious problem. Insecticide powders that are applied to dry sand and soils can completely prevent this type of wasps. The use of these powders makes the presence of sand wasps almost non-existent.
Be more careful
People should cover the litter boxes when children are no longer playing with them; this action will keep the sand wasps away. This can also apply to sand volleyball courts that go days and weeks without being used.
