The other day, a man came to my front door trying to sell me his company's pest control services. As we were speaking, a wasp flew between us, prompting him to attack my current pest control service for not doing a great job.
 
Unbeknownst to him, my home welcomes wasps, and our current pest control service uses less harsh pest control methods to protect our gardens and their beneficial insects—including wasps. As avid gardeners, we have grown accustomed to and benefit from their presence.
 
While not as familiar or efficient pollinators as bees, wasps do provide some pollination. However, they are most beneficial for pest control. Ironic, right?
 
Wasps are predators of almost every insect pest and are utilized in the agriculture industry for pest control. One type of wasp, the braconid wasp, lays its eggs in the tomato hornworm, a pest responsible for destroying tomato crops. As the braconid wasp eggs hatch, they feed on the tomato hornworm, effectively protecting tomato crops. These wasps also feed on a variety of insect pests. Other wasps control the spider population.

Is it nerve-wracking to be around wasps, especially when they outnumber you? Certainly, but after years of peacefully co-existing with them (we once had a nest that was home to hundreds of wasps and never once got stung), I've come to realize that, much like bees, they'll only sting if provoked. Of course, because they can potentially harm humans, it's always best to stay cautious and be informed, with bees, wasps and hornets alike; hornets are especially dangerous.