Wasps
Wasps deliver a nasty sting which can be serious if you're allergic to them. If you notice many in your home, it is likely that there is a nest nearby.
The common wasp is classified as an insect. They measure about 1.6cm long and have a yellow/black body colour. Two species of wasp are found locally: 'common wasps' and 'German wasps', and both are known for their sting.
Wasps are beneficial to the environment as they control other small pests and clear away dead insects, but when they stray too close to human habitats they can be a dangerous nuisance and must be controlled.
Distribution and habitat
Wasps live in colonies that form self-contained communities, each following a caste order of queens, males and workers. The only wasps that survive the winter are young fertilised queens, which emerge from hibernation in the spring to build new nests.
Initially the queen lays 10-20 eggs and when they hatch into larvae she feeds them until they become workers. The workers then forage for food, feed the new larvae and defend the nest. By the end of the season a nest may contain thousands of these workers.
In late summer, the colony produces males and new queens. They fly away to mate and the queens then find a place to hibernate. The cold weather eventually kills the males, workers and foundation queen.
Wasps' nests can normally be found in holes in the ground or inside hollow trees. Unfortunately for us, wasps feel equally at home in a garden shed, wall cavities, eaves and roofs.
The types of food favoured by wasps are fruit and nectar, insects and dustbin waste. Wasps also feed on meat such as insect larvae, flies and spiders and can be beneficial to the environment.
Control
Hackney Council recommend that wasp nests are treated by professional Pest Control Officers. However, the following information may be of assistance:
- Wasp nests that are not causing a problem can be left alone.
- You can dispose of any old nests at the end of the following year.
- You may encounter queens that have chosen to hibernate in the nest for the winter period if you move it too soon.
- Old nests will not cause any damage if left in place.
Nests that are built in lofts or under eaves are more difficult to treat yourself and are best treated from the outside. If the nest is treated from inside the loft, you may not be able to get at the nest entrance to treat if effectively and if you disturb the nest during treatment you may encounter a swarm of angry wasps trying to protect their nest.
REMEMBER: Extreme care must be exercised when treating wasp nests.
Prevention
The following measures can help prevent wasp problems:
- Ensure dustbins have tight-fitting lids.
- Cover food.
- Don't let scraps build up around your sink.
- Clear fallen fruit from your garden.
Treatment
Hackney Council provides a full service for the treatment of wasp nests. If you think that you may have a problem, please contact us immediately using the details at the top-right corner of this page.
You will be advised fully of the costs involved prior to any treatment being undertaken.
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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