Common Wasp (Vespula Vulgaris)
and European Wasp (Vespula Crabo)
Both wasp versions are very similar in colour, the distinctive yellow body with black strips. The main difference is the physical size of the wasp, the common being 11 – 20mm in length where as the European wasp being smaller overall. The other difference is that the European wasp tends to be much more aggressive when disturbed.
The life cycle begins in the spring, where a hibernating queen creates a small nest in which she raises workers. These workers build the typical nest structure in which the queen lays thousands of eggs, which hatch to form other workers and hunters to gather food for the nest inhabitants. As the weather turns colder, the egg production trails off but she now produces new queens which hatch and fly off to mate and then to hibernate, ready for next year. As the first frosts bite, the workers become lethargic and eventually die.
Why Control:
Whilst wasps are not known to carry any specific diseases, they are well know for their nuisance factor, spoiling many picnics etc. Many people are allergic to the wasp venom and risk serious problems if stung. Wasps also tend to go to female due to perfumes etc and children for sweets and ice creams etc. The sting is very painful and wasps may sting the victim several times. The stinger it smooth (unlike a bee) and can be used time after time. If left untreated, a wasp nest will produce hundreds of queens which will in turn produce 1000?s of wasps next year. An average wasp nest contains 3-5000 wasps.
Signs of infestation:
The most obvious sign is the number of wasps appearing. The thing to watch for is a number heading in the same direction, which normally means a nest. Wasps love sweet and aromatic foods, as they contain high levels of sugar. They also eat meat as well as the queen requires protein to maintain production of eggs. Nests can be in roof eaves, holes in the ground or “balls” hanging in hedges and shrubs. We highly recommend you DO NOT attempt to deal with these nests yourselves as wasps are highly protective and will attack in numbers if threatened.
Usual Treatment:
There are several methods employed, both chemical and non-chemical depending on each circumstance. Chemical treatments are generally administered directly into the nest and take the form of an insecticide powder delivered via a pressurised container. This dust coats the nest and wasps in the nest, but more importantly wasps entering the nest. Non-chemical treatments like wasp traps and UV electronic wasp killers can be used where chemical treatments are not viable.
