As summer starts winding down in the Northern Hemisphere, there are some in the U.K. who will be quite happy to see colder temperatures return. This summer, the U.K. experienced a severe giant wasp problem. It might not seem like that big of a deal, but for those caught in the middle, it’s pretty terrifying and painful.
The wasp problem actually started back in the winter.
Another mild winter in the U.K. made sure that there was plenty of food and material available for these giant German wasps, who are twice the size of yellow jackets. With all this raw material, the giant wasps got a jump on their nest building and breeding season.
However, now that their offspring have hatched much earlier than usual, these giant wasps are bored, stuck in overcrowded nests, and drunk.
We’re being literal: these giant German wasps are drunk most of the time.
These wasps mostly eat fruit. However, by this point most of the fresh fruit is gone, which just leaves the rotting, fermented stuff for them to eat.
So what’s the result of these drunk, angry wasps? Well, they’re stinging people in record numbers in the U.K.
The situation has gotten so serious there is now a Wasp Watch website that tracks wasp activity.
One of the tips the website lists is to “[try] to put your fear into perspective. Wasps are not life threatening for most people.” That would be comforting if it didn’t mention “most people.”
(via Mysterious Universe)
If you’re living in the U.K., bolt your windows and lock your doors until winter. And whatever you do, don’t go outside with any food — unless you like wasp stings, of course.
