Wasps do not all survive the winter. Most of the wasp colony, including workers and males, die off as temperatures drop because wasps do not store food for winter survival. The fertilized queen wasps, however, survive the winter by entering a hibernation-like state called diapause. During diapause, their metabolism slows, and they find sheltered, warm places such as under tree bark, inside soil, in sheds, attics, garages, roof eaves, or other protected crevices to wait out the cold months. These overwintering queens produce antifreeze-like substances in their bodies to avoid freezing. When spring arrives, they emerge from diapause to start new nests and colonies.
