Wasps
Wasps deliver a nasty sting which can be serious if you're
allergic to them. If you notice many in your home, chances are they
have a nest nearby.
How do I identify a wasp?
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' - 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.
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. They
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.
Where do wasps live?
These insects are common throughout Europe. Their 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.
What do wasps eat?
The types of food favoured by wasps are fruit and nectar,
insects and dustbin waste. All wasps feed their young on meat such
as insect larvae. The wings of their prey are chewed off by the
workers into round food balls which are carried home to the larvae.
The workers themselves (females with underdeveloped reproductive
organs) feed on liquids.
Although wasps are fond of sweet things, they don't have the
nectar sucking mouth parts of bees. They will attempt to invade bee
nests to steal their honey, and are nevertheless prone to drinking
nectar from flowers and the juices of ripe fruit using their short
tongues. An interesting fact is that wasps are fed by their larvae
- in exchange for meat, the larvae regurgitate a sugary liquid
eaten by the workers. Towards the end of the summer, when the
larvae have reached maturity, the workers turn their attention to
fruit, jam and other sweet substances, which is why they become a
nuisance to people at this time.
How do I know if I have a wasp problem?
Unusually large numbers of wasps around your home are an
indicator of a wasp nest in close vicinity.
Are wasps harmful?
Yes. Wasps can give you a nasty sting, and unlike bees they
sting more than once. For a minority of people the venom in their
sting causes anaphylactic shock which can be fatal, so it's
important to seek medical help immediately if you experience
giddiness, nausea, unusual swelling or extreme pain.
A wasp uses its sting for killing prey, but it also uses it
effectively for defending itself. The sting has associated glands
which produce venom, but as it's in small amounts it doesn't
normally cause extreme harm. A sting in the mouth or on the neck
can be serious, as this causes swelling which could make it
difficult to breathe. An ordinary sting can be treated with
ammonia, alcohol or cold poultices, followed by antihistamine
ointment.
Because the venom in wasps contains a pheromone that causes
other wasps to become more aggressive, it's not advisable to swat
one near its nest.
How can I prevent wasps in my home?
The following measures act as deterrents:
- Ensure dustbins have tight-fitting lids
- Cover food
- Don't let scraps build up around your sink
- Clear fallen fruit from your garden
How do I get rid of wasps in my home?
The venom of the wasp contains a pheromone which acts as an
alarm causing other wasps to become more aggressive when a wasp has
stung something or been killed. This means it's not advisable to
swat a wasp near its nest or attempt to remove the nest
yourself.
If you decide to tackle the problem yourself, ensure you wear
protective clothing. There are powders and sprays available for
flying insects from local DIY shops. Dealing with a wasp nest is
more difficult - while a number of products are available on the
market you must consider the risk of being stung and also the
difficulties that may be encountered in accessing the nest. If
you're allergic to wasp stings or simply prefer not to tackle the
problem yourself, contact a professional pest control company or
the pest control section at Carlisle City Council.
Does the council remove wasps for free?
Carlisle City Council offer a pest control service for wasps,
but this is a chargeable
service