Wasps

There are six species of wasp commonly found in the UK.  Only two types enter buildings.  The most common types found in the UK are the European and German wasps.

Signs of a wasp problem:

• Wasps build nests made from a papery substance and are built in the cavities of trees, attics, walls and other parts of buildings.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE

Their bodies consist of black and yellow bands and they have a narrow waist in the middle of the body. The worker wasp is about 10-15mm in length and the queen is usually about 20mm in length.  They have two pairs of wings.  Only the females will sting and only when frightened or disturbed.

REPRODUCTION

• The queen hibernates over the winter and then creates a nest in the spring in which to lay her eggs. 
• She feeds her young on dead insects until they grow into sterile worker wasps. Towards the end of the summer the queen lays a number of eggs which produce male wasps and these mate with the new queens. 
• At the height of the season there can be as many as 20-30,000 wasps in a large nest.
• As autumn approaches all the wasps die except the new queens, which hibernate and start the cycle again in the spring.
• The nest dies in late autumn and even though they will not inhabit an old nest they may build a new one, directly next to the old one.

IMPLICATIONS OF HAVING WASPS

Most of the time wasps do not cause a problem. If you do happen to get stung, you should be aware that you could have an allergic reaction and this can cause a severe reaction, called Anaphylactic shock.  Seek medical advice if this should occur.

HOW DO WE GET RID OF WASPS?

The nest will be treated with an approved insecticide dust.  A single treatment will normally work and takes about 4-8 hours depending on how active the nest is. 

Occasionally when the nest is difficult to access a second treatment may be required. Removal of the nest may require a second visit after the treatment has completed.

Commercial buildings can be protected by using window screening and installation of electrical devices that attract, kill and catch wasps.