They got drunk on fruit! Now they attack anyone who comes near.

An unusual situation is emerging in England as summer draws to a close. While experts note that wasps fed on the alcohol produced by the fermentation of rotting fruit may become “drunk,” they warn that during this period wasps could become more aggressive and more likely to sting.

The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is drawing attention to expected changes in wasp behavior as summer draws to a close. According to experts, the underlying cause lies in wasps' natural life cycle and feeding habits.

Withering Fruit Into “Drunk” Wasps

Throughout the summer, worker wasps feed the larvae in the colony. In return, they obtain a sugar‑rich secretion from the larvae that supplies their energy needs.

However, as summer draws to a close and the queen's egg‑laying declines, the number of larvae in the colony also drops, removing one of the worker wasps' primary sugar sources.

Seeking a new energy source, wasps are turning to fruit that is beginning to rot. The natural fermentation process in such fruit produces alcohol, which can also affect the insects.

Experts say that bumblebees that feed on fermented fruits can become 'drunk' in a short time.

They can become more aggressive.

The main warning concerns changes in bumblebee behavior.

According to BPCA, bumblebees that feed on alcohol-containing fruits can behave more aggressively during this period and become more prone to stinging.

It is pointed out that the likelihood of encountering bumblebees may increase in areas where people consume food and sugary drinks outdoors.

Officials emphasize that bumblebees should not be struck, should not be forced away with sudden movements, and their nests must not be disturbed.

Warnings Issued in Some Parts of England

Warnings have come to the fore particularly in the Hull and East Riding area, with experts suggesting that similar behaviour could also be observed in other parts of England at the end of summer.

"Drunken wasps" may sound unusual, but the phenomenon is not new. Experts say the behaviour is a known occurrence that can emerge at the end of summer as part of wasps' natural life cycle.

However, with a new warning issued this year, attention has been drawn again to the potential for increased contact between wasps and humans as they are attracted to fermenting fruit.

Wasps Pose a Serious Risk for Some People

A wasp sting typically causes temporary symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling in most people. However, individuals with a severe allergy to insect venom may experience reactions that threaten life, such as anaphylaxis.

Experts especially advise that when eating outdoors at the end of summer and the early autumn, food and drinks should not be left uncovered, and that more caution should be exercised in areas where fallen or rotting fruit is present.

The latest warning that has surfaced in the UK shows once again that not only people but also honey bees can behave unexpectedly under the influence of rotting fruit in the final days of summer.