Wasps

Wasp Facts

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• Wasps (primarily the Common Wasp and German Wasp) are social insects with distinctive black and yellow striped bodies and narrow waists. They are often confused with bees but are generally more aggressive.

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• Adults are around 12–20mm long. Only the queens survive the winter; the rest of the colony dies off in late autumn.

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• Wasps are beneficial in gardens as they hunt caterpillars and other pests, but they become a major nuisance when nesting near homes or businesses.

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• They do not transmit diseases, but their stings can cause painful reactions and, in some cases, severe allergic responses (anaphylaxis).

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• Wasps are most active and aggressive from mid-summer through to early autumn when their nests reach peak size.

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Biology of Wasps

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• A queen starts a new nest in spring, laying eggs that develop into worker wasps.

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• Nests can grow to contain several thousand wasps by late summer. The nest is made from chewed wood fibres mixed with saliva (paper-like material).

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• Wasps are highly territorial around their nest and will defend it vigorously if disturbed.

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• New queens and males are produced in late summer. After mating, the new queens find hibernation sites while the rest of the colony dies off.

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• Nests are usually built in sheltered locations such as roof voids, eaves, sheds, bird boxes, or underground.

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Signs of Wasps

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• High numbers of wasps flying in and out of a specific area (especially under eaves, in lofts, or around bins)

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• Visible nest – a papery, football-shaped structure (grey or brown) often found in roof spaces, sheds, or wall cavities

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• Increased wasp activity around food, drinks, and bins in late summer

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• Scratching or buzzing noises in walls or ceilings (early stages of nest building)

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• Finding dead wasps on windowsills or inside the property