Economically, wasps present a dual impact. On one hand, their role as biological control agents is incredibly valuable, saving billions in potential crop damage by naturally suppressing pest populations. This 'ecosystem service' often goes unrecognized and unmonetized. On the other hand, social wasps can become urban or agricultural nuisances, especially when nests are near human activity. They can damage fruit crops, contaminate food processing areas, and their stings lead to medical costs and lost productivity. The cost of managing these 'pest' populations can be significant, creating a tension between their beneficial ecological roles and their occasional direct negative impact on human economic activity.