We’ve heard about the wonderful and incredibly important benefits that bees provide as pollinators, but what about their buzzy counterparts, wasps and hornets? Join WSU Clallam County Extension Regional Horticulture Specialist Laurel Moulton for the Green Thumb Education Series presentation “Wasps, Hornets and Their Mimics” to help dispel the negative notions surrounding these valuable creatures.

Laurel will introduce the common species of wasps found in our area including paper wasps, yellowjackets, bald-faced hornets and others. She will touch briefly on invasive hornets that have not been found in our area, including the northern giant hornet and European hornet and share some interesting native wasps, like horntails and others that gardeners may occasionally run into. Laurel will cover the beneficial services that hornets provide and how to manage wasp nests and colonies that become nuisances.

“I hope that gardeners come away with less fear of wasps and an appreciation of how they contribute to the ecosystem and provide benefit to humans. I grew up loving insects of all sorts and I enjoy sharing that love with others, in hopes that others will look at wasps with wonder and appreciation instead of fear,” Laurel said.

Laurel has been a Master Gardener since 2006 and received her master’s degree in horticulture with a minor in entomology from Oregon State University in 2011. She is currently a member of the WSU Extension Integrated Pest Management Team and spends her time outside of Master Gardeners helping small farms in Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap Counties to accurately identify pests and crop diseases while developing plans to manage them sustainably. She enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for insects and growing food with the community.

The Green Thumb Education Series presentation “Wasps, Hornets and Their Mimics” will be held in person on Thursday, June 22nd from noon – 1 p.m. at the Port Angeles Library’s Carver Room, 2210 S. Peabody St. in Port Angeles.

Or you may join via Zoom from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://wsu.zoom.us/j/93629898830?pwd=UnRkYjdwSGNmTnA4Y2hxVFBuRHVkZz09

Meeting ID: 936 2989 8830

Passcode: 676224

Or join by phone: 253-215-8782

The Green Thumb Education Series, sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners, is held on the second and fourxth Thursday of each month through October. In November, December, and January, one lecture is offered. Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar for the latest information on upcoming presentations. For questions, call 360-565-2678.