Wasps & wood ?

Question

We have a barbecue shelter, made out of some sort of hardwood.

Every summer, since I built it (2011) I've noticed that wasps seem attracted to it. In particular the upright pillars. Which appear to be some sort of treated wood.

It's not harbouring a wasps nest, and they aren't going past it to anywhere else. They are definitely inspecting it, or finding something of interest there.

I did briefly wonder if spiders webs have some sort of attracting smells, as there are a few strands of older webs there at times.

It's not an issue as such (until we get stung). But odd. And happens every year.

Speaking of wasps, is it just me, or are they smaller this year ?

ss · Accepted Answer

Waps use wood fiber to build their nests, so possibly getting the wood  fiber from the pillars.

David · Answer

You can normally tell because there are track marks on the surface of the  wood where they have gnawed the surface off. Looks quite pretty IMHO. Cheers Dave R

Jethro_uk · Answer

But why *this* wood. Not the roof. Not our decking. Just the two upright  pillars at the front ???

Chris Hogg · Answer

Perhaps it's a bit softer, and they can get their ...um...teeth into it (or whatever passes for teeth in wasps).

John Angus · Answer

Likely because it smells like the wood that is easier to chew or whatever they do with it or something.

Brian Gaff · Answer

They also loved mining the paper and cardboard from my vinyl collection  which is rather annoying.  Brian

Thomas Prufer · Answer

It's treated wood and so the wasps nest will last longer? Thomas Prufer

Vir Campestris · Answer

(We had one in a cupboard in the spare room this year - it turns out the  back is open to the thatch. That's another draught to fix...) Andy

newshound · Answer

I was thinking the same, and definitely after seeing several small wasps  on blackberries this evening, at a first glance they appear to be  "normal". Will try and get some photos tomorrow.

Cynic · Answer

Ficam W will square wasps away if you can locate the entrance to the nest(s)

Wasps & wood ?

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