What is a wasp?
The wasp is generally the most abundant and disliked of all British insects. The most common of these are the German Wasp and the Common Wasp. Their bodies have the characteristic black and yellow bands across the tail section (their abdomen). They are fairly large insects approx 14mm in length.
Although having beneficial qualities, wasps are generally regarded as being a nuisance. It is the wasps' ability to give a painful sting which makes these insects feared by people.
Wasp nests may be found in roof spaces, wall cavities and air grates of buildings, hanging from trees as well as underground.
How do they live?
In the Spring, the queen leaves her hibernation site and seeks a site for the nest. She constructs the nest from wood pulp which is moulded into the outer shell of the nest
The eggs are laid and tended by the queen until they hatch to produce the larvae which she also feeds and tends. When fully grown, the larvae pupate and emerge as sterile workers to take over the job of building the main nest and foraging for food. Towards the end of the summer the queen lays a number of eggs which produce male wasps and these mate with the new queens.
As the weather becomes colder the nest will die out, except for the new queens, which fly away to find hibernation sites over winter. The old nests are not re-colonised the following year.
What should I do?
Adult wasps become a problem when they forage for sugary foods such as jam, fruit, etc in the late summer. The wasps that appear indoors can be treated by using a quick knockdown insecticidal aerosol spray.
If the nest is in the ground, an insecticidal dust can be applied around the entrance of the nest. Care must always be taken read the instructions on the pesticide container before you buy it and if you feel professional help is required our Pest Control Officers can treat your wasp nest. The old nests are not re-colonised the following year, so the treated nests need not be removed.
Breckland Council Pest Control Service
We can perform a treatment for this infestation, the fee is £27 per treatment.
Call 01362 656870 to arrange an appointment.
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