Wasps

FACT FILE :

Wasps - View information on wasp nest charges

There are many different types of wasps, but the Common Wasp (Vespula Vulgaris) and the German Wasp (Vespula Germanica) are the most common.

Both species are common throughout Britain and Northern Europe.

They are yellow and black and have a sting on the end of their abdomen.

They are social insects, forming colonies inside nests.

The over-wintering and fertilised queen wasp emerges from hibernation around April, and searches for a suitable site for her colony.

She makes the initial cell of the nest (smaller than a golf ball) from chewed wood pulp mixed with her saliva. Within individual chambers inside this cell she lays between 10 to 20 eggs, feeding the resultant larvae on insects and other invertebrates.

The emergent first brood of adult workers (females) takes over the tasks of enlarging the nest and feeding the larvae produced by the queen.

By late summer, nests can contain 3,000-5,000 wasps and be as large as a beach ball! Wasps nests can resemble paper lanterns and have a stripey beige/brown colouring.

At the end of the summer males and young queens are produced, mating occurs, and the new queens fly off to hibernate for the winter.

The now redundant workers search for sugary foods to boost their now sluggish energy levels. They can become a nuisance in the garden and home.

With the onset of the cold winter weather, the workers and males die off, with only the hibernating queens living to emerge in the spring to start the whole process again.

Wasps rarely return to the same nest twice.

Why keep wasps under control?
Wasp stings can be very painful and in some people can cause a serious allergic reaction.

When disturbed or attacked they can become very aggressive and can sting repeatedly.

They can be a nuisance in the home and garden, especially around food.

However, they do not carry any disease which threaten humans and
can be very useful in the garden by eating other insects classed as pests.

Prevention & Control
Because wasps are a relatively small insect and can crawl into tiny cracks and crevices, it is very difficult to prevent them building nests.

They will build nests anywhere including lofts, sheds, eaves of houses, in bushes/trees and in holes in the ground, abandoned burrows, etc.

Wasps are attracted to food stuffs, particularly sweet food and drink.

Clear away fallen fruit in the garden.

Make sure bins have tight lids on.

Cover sweet foods and do not allow food scraps to build up.

Treatment
If you suspect you may have a nest our pest control section can be contacted to advise you on the best course of action. We are able to treat the next only if it is less than 4.8m from ground level.

Treatment is only really necessary if the wasp nest is causing a significant nuisance.

A nest has to be located before any treatment is carried out.

Treatment of a nest usually involves spraying an insecticide liquid or powder into the nest. This kills the wasps very quickly, and if the nest is visible it can be removed after treatment.

For further information please contact:

Environmental Health - Pest Control
Surrey Heath House
Knoll Road, Camberley
Surrey GU15 3HD

Tel: 01276 707125
environmental.health@surreyheath.gov.uk