Which uninvited guests do you need to watch out for when feasting in the park? Who’s trying to join your picnic?
Bees
Solitary bees, bumblebees, honey bees – any of them might be tempted by the array of sweet treats on your picnic blanket.
If they show up, what should you do?
You could let your new little friend indulge. It’s possible they’re after some emergency sugar to keep them aloft after running low on energy. It’s important to help out the bee population, so allow them to have a slurp of juice or a lick of jam.
A word of warning: If you choose to share, and the bee in question is a social bee, you could end up making a lot of new friends! The honey bee who sipped on your lemonade might head home to tell her sisters about what a great time she had at your picnic. After witnessing the excited waggle dance, these sisters might rush out to meet you too!
But DO NOT let the bees eat any honey. If you have a jar of honey at your picnic – and why wouldn’t you? – please keep the lid on it whenever it isn’t in use. For bees, it isn’t coughs and sneezes that spread diseases; it’s spreads that spread diseases. Honey can transmit an illness from the bees who made it to the bee who consumes it. This is bad news for a solitary bee and even worse news for a social bee who will accidentally infect her entire colony. In some cases, tucking in to that honey could be a death sentence.
Since I’m already bossily telling you what not to do: Please do not flail about or swat bees. They have no reason to hurt you – unless you provoke them. If you seem to be starting a fight, it’s only natural for them to defend themselves. Then you’ll get stung and they’ll die from the attack and you’ll both be losers. Please avoid being a loser.
Wasps
Apart from some occasional cannibalism, bees are herbivores. However, wasps are omnivores! They will target your meat and fish as well as any sweet treats.
In early summer, wasps are focussed on seeking out sources of protein. They have little ones at home who need it in order to grow up big and strong. That’s when you need to guard your pork and prawns. Later in the summer, wasps develop a sweet tooth and will want to devour anything sugary, whether it’s a pear or a parfait.
If you don’t object to donating a little bit of food to the wasps and you’d rather not have them getting too close, here is a nifty trick: Take note of which picnic treat they’re after and move this food a few feet away. They’re most likely hanging around for a second helping of the same food. So, if their meal is no longer near you, you’ll be able to enjoy the rest of your picnic in peace.
The downside is that if you accommodate one wasp, others might expect the same hospitality. Like bees, wasps share the happy news of tasty food sources, so you could end up with more and more wasps gathering at your picnic.
You’re not keen on the idea of being so popular, are you?
You could delay the first wasp from spreading the word by trapping them under a glass. As a gesture of goodwill, you could keep them detained along with the snack they were after, so that it’s not quite so mean! And, of course, be sure to release the wasp once you’re ready to head off. Then, even if they tell their friends about this delicious source of food, you’ll be gone by the time the party arrives.
Whatever you do, don’t make enemies with the wasps by swatting at them. They’ll sting you only if they have a reason to, so don’t give them a reason.
Ants
Ants are another marvel of the insect world setting an incredible example of sustainability and cooperation. Like so many awe-inspiring species, ants are under threat from the climate crisis. So, please be sure not to harm them.
Being resourceful and opportunistic, ants may well find something tempting amongst all the treats you prepared. What can you do to have your picnic without their company?
First of all, watch out for the telltale mound of an ant’s nest when choosing the perfect picnic position. There’s no ant’s nest? Great. What about ants crawling in the grass? Ants stick together so if you spot one, there will be more. All clear? Okay, then unfurl your blanket!
That’s a lovely ant-free spot you’ve chosen but you need to stay diligent if you want to avoid attracting their attention. Keep your food and drink sealed in airtight containers so the aroma doesn’t drift to their antennae (through which they detect scents). Cleanliness will also reduce the chances of an insect invasion, as well as making you a considerate picnicker!
Flies
I’m sure you’re all too aware that flies are very likely to crash your picnic.
Flies are particularly sensitive to the smell of sugar and the sight of bright colours. So, birthday cake has almost no chance of escaping their notice!
They seek out sugar because it provides them with a quick energy boost, just as it does for humans. Flies are also partial to a nice cold bevvy! So, if you’re relaxing in the park with a beer or pairing that birthday cake with a celebratory glass of bubbly, watch out for those flies.
Like wasps, flies also search for protein-rich foods like meat, fish and dairy to help their larvae grow.
Want to keep away the flies?
The best strategy is to keep your food and drink sealed inside containers and to keep the picnic area clean.
Another option is to use a portable fan to blow air over your food, which will make it difficult for the insects to land. This is because, ironically, flies are not strong flyers!
I can’t imagine you’d want to dine next to a rubbish bin anyway, but keeping clear of rotting food and all the nastiness inside the bin will help you to avoid flies because that is the ideal environment for them to mate and lay eggs.
If you want to go all out at your picnic, create a centrepiece of gorgeously scented herbs! These are some plants that are attractive to humans but loathed by flies:
- Basil
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Mint
- Catnip
You could also get yourself a Venus flytrap!
TL;DR
To avoid uninvited insect guests, be hygienic.
