Wasps
COMMON WASP - VESPULA VULGARIS
Although 11 species of true wasp are found in Europe, only two, the
Common Wasp (VESPULA VULGARIS) and the GERMAN WASP (VESPULA
GERMANICA) are important as pest species. Both species overwinter
as queens, the Common Wasp usually hibernates in buildings and the
German Wasp typically overwintering under the bark of trees.
In spring the overwintering queens leave their hibernating quarters
to seek nesting sites which could be in a hole in the ground, a
hollow tree or artificial structures such as eaves, lofts and
attics, garden sheds etc. The queen starts to build her nest with a
papery material that she makes by chewing small pieces of wood
mixed with saliva; this is known as Wasp paper. She will raise the
first few workers by her own efforts and those workers will then
commence the enlargement of the nest and caring for the immature
Wasps to follow. Nest construction starts in earnest in June and
will reach it’s maximum in size in September, when 5 – 10,000
workers may be present. These workers will forage for food up to
400 metres from the nest. The size of wasp colonies will vary from
year to year, the severity of the previous winter is probably the
key factor. In the Autumn the young queens mate and leave the nest
to hibernate, the rest of the nest dies out and the nest is never
used again.
Individuals react differently to being stung by wasps; some are
hardly affected, others suffer considerable pain and swelling and a
few become seriously allergic to being stung, which in some cases
results in sudden death due to anaphylactic shock.
Control
It is always advisable to let a professional Pest Control Officer
deal with a Wasp nest for the reasons mentioned above. An
insecticide will be used to cover the entrance to the nest.
Returning wasps will carry the insecticide into the heart of the
nest and within a few hours all wasps should be dead. Finding the
nest is not always easy but following the flight pattern from a
source of food could prove helpful. If a householder elects to
treat the nest themselves, treatment should be carried out early or
late in the day when the Wasp activity is at a minimum. Hardware
shops and garden centres will sell insecticidal sprays and powders
for the treatment of Wasps but care must be taken to follow the
instructions on the label.
pain of the wasp sting is
caused by a toxic fluid containing a complex protein, which is
injected through the needle like sting as it penetrates the
victim.
