Wasps

Description

Size: 10 - 20 mm.

Adult wasps have yellow and black bands on abdomen. Two main types are found in UK. The common wasp and the German or European wasp.

Some Bees are often confused with wasps but they tend to be hairy.

Biology and Habitat

Wasps over-winter as Queens. The queens are found in the spring when they start to build this year's nest. They will not use an old nest but may build on the side of an old nest. The new nest will start the size of a golf ball and grow to full size by September; this may then house up to ten thousand workers. In the autumn the new Queens emerge and seek a quite place to over winter. The rest of the colony dies out.

Unlike honeybees, wasps do not swarm.

Importance

Wasps will sting many times when aroused. Reactions will differ from person to person. Some may need immediate medical treatment for anaphylactic shock.

Wasps can spread food poisoning via cross contamination of foodstuffs.

What measures can I take?

Killing individual wasps will have no effect on the population. The nest needs to be treated. This is best left to the professionals and we offer a service for treatment of nests. We charge for this service but offer a reduced price for those on certain benefits.

In the springtime small nests may be treated with an insecticide spray, late in the day when the nest is quiet.

Safety

To protect yourself and others and to minimise damage to the environment. Always read and follow the application and use instructions printed on the container. Wasps will attack at the slightest provocation so care should be taken to avoid disturbance to the nest.