I've got several fruit trees in my garden, including plum, apple, cherry, damson, and hazelnut trees. This summer, I've noticed that one of my plum trees is drawing a lot of wasps, but strangely, they completely ignore the other trees. This particular plum tree doesn't have any fruit on it thanks to the pigeons, yet the wasps keep landing on it and exploring different parts of it. I'm really curious—what could be causing this attraction? They haven't bothered us, so I'm not too concerned, but I'd love to understand more!
3 Answers
It’s likely that your plum tree has some aphids on it. Wasps are attracted to the honeydew that aphids excrete, which is sweet and sticky. Besides, wasps hunt for protein sources like caterpillars for their young, so they might be there for that, too! You might want to check for any insect activity on the tree.
I recently found out that wasps can sometimes nest in trees. If you see little holes in your plum tree, they might have made a nest inside. It’s worth checking just to make sure there isn’t a big colony living there!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check for any holes right away—definitely don’t want them nesting in my trees!
Honestly, it’s frustrating how people view wasps. They actually play a huge role in our ecosystem and help control pests. I’ve learned to appreciate them since I saw one catch a fly. As long as they don’t invade my personal space, I’m good with them being around!
Exactly! As long as they’re not buzzing around my face, I'm happy to coexist with them!
That makes sense! I’ve noticed some aphids on my roses nearby, and that tree does seem sticky from sap. It really attracts the insects!