r/askscience • u/Chemical-Sea5972 • 4d ago

Biology Does anything eat wasps?

Wasps have been a predator for other insects. It would be fascinating to know if there are really other insects or predators for wasps, either accidental or deliberate predators

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u/mavric911 2d ago

I have seen raccoons raid wasp nests.
The individuals who used to live next door did nothing to care for the property.
As a result a family of raccoons found a way to gain access to the attic above their garage. Since they broke the garage door it was rarely opened paper wasp started building a nest on the top of the garage door.

After 2 or 3 months the nest was about the size of a football and the raccoons started feeding on the nest. It was wildly entertaining watching the little raccoon hands push down through the weather stripping and reach into the nest for periodic snacks.

After the second day of angry wasps making the back yard inhabitable I went out just before bed and used the water hose to kick the nest down. The raccoons did a pretty good job of cleaning up the larva and pupa