Entomologist explains why there are suddenly so many wasps and hornets
Many people have noticed unusually high activity of wasps and hornets at the end of summer, with insects even entering apartments on higher floors. An entomologist explains this is tied to colonies reaching their seasonal peak size.
By the end of summer, many people have noticed that wasps and hornets have become especially active, sometimes managing to fly into apartments even on the upper floors of buildings. Biologist and insect researcher Voldemārs Spuņģis explained the phenomenon in an interview with the LSM.lv portal, noting that this pattern is typical for this particular time of year.
Colonies reach their maximum size
According to the entomologist, wasp and hornet colonies reach their largest numerical size toward the end of summer. This means that a given colony contains more individuals at once than at any other point in the season. As a result, the number of visible insects rises noticeably compared to earlier summer months.
Why the insects are searching for food
Spuņģis explained that because colonies have so many members at this stage, all these insects head out to search for food at the same time, which also explains their increased presence in the surrounding environment — including near buildings and even inside apartments. This search for food is precisely why wasps and hornets can be observed much more frequently than during other times of the year.
The explanation helps clarify that the phenomenon is not linked to any emergency situation or environmental change, but is instead a natural, seasonal part of the insects' life cycle.
