By late summer, hungry wasps fly around after their natural source of sugar (secretions from larvae) disappears. Earlier in spring, fertilized queens emerge from hibernation, build nests, and lay the first eggs. These develop into workers that expand the nest, forage, and feed the larvae. In return, the larvae provide a sugary liquid that sustains the workers. As the colony reaches its peak size, the queen reduces or stops laying eggs, which means no new larvae and no secretions. With the sugar supply gone, workers seek food outside the nest, often near people. By autumn, the colony collapses: the workers and the old queen die, while only newly fertilized queens survive to hibernate until the following spring.