Pest Control - Wasps (Vespula Vulgaris)

I think I have wasps on my property, what should I do?

How can I tell they are wasps?

The common wasp is approximately 10-15mm in length, and are characterised by the bold yellow and black stripes. Wasps have 2 pairs of wings and geniculate (elbowed) antennae. The other well known characterisation, apart from its sting, is their incredibly narrow waist.

What signs should I look for?

Wasps will build their nests anywhere, from a hole in the ground or in a roof space, to building nests from scratch in sheds, bushes and hedges. High levels of activity will generally be the first sign that you may have a nest. Occasionally, the nests are visible. As they are made entirely from chewed up wood, the nests are paper like in appearance and oval in shape.

Are they a risk to my health?

Wasps are quick to defend their nests, and they do this by stinging whatever it is they see as a threat. The sting contains pheromones that summon other wasps to the area, resulting in more stings. You are more susceptible to an adverse reaction the more times you are stung. The wasp’s sting is not barbed, which enables one wasp to sting multiple times. They release venom which gradually attacks the nervous system around the sting, the pain only dying down when your blood flow eventually dilutes the venom. In a small amount of cases, anaphylactic shock may occur.If in doubt, seek medical advice immediately.

I think I have a wasps nest on my property, what should I do?

Treatment is particularly important if someone has an allergy, or if the location of the nest is problematic. If you have a wasps nest that you feel needs treating or removing, Arun District Council is able to help. We recommend that you do not attempt to treat or remove the nest yourself. All services are chargeable, and the charge will cover you until the treatment is complete, with no hidden extras. Please call Arun Direct on 01903 737755 to arrange an appointment. Please note, the fee will be payable at the time of booking, so please have your card details ready. All payments are non-refundable.

What will we do when we visit?

We will attend your premises on the agreed date. Our Pest Control Officer will survey the area and determine the safest method of treating the nest. An insecticidal dust or spray will be injected into the nest under pressure. All people and animals should be kept out of the immediate vicinity of the nest. One treatment should be all that is necessary. We will not remove the nest, as wasps will never inhabit an old nest.

A bit more about wasps

Wasps nests are made from wood pulp, stripped from anything they can find, for example, trees posts etc. They mix it with saliva and spread it with their jaws, gradually forming the structure of the nest. Each wasp is responsible for a given area, which results in variations in colour. Inside, they create a comb system containing the cells. Each cell holds 1 egg, and is used twice. An average nest will contain between 11,000 and 13,000 individuals, which all spawn from one Queen wasp. The temperature of the nest is always kept at 30ºc. On hot days, the workers can be seen around the entrance to the nest, flapping their wings – this is to keep the nest cool. Wasps go through a complete metamorphosis. This means that when an egg is laid, it hatches into a maggot or grub. This then pupates and changes into the adult wasp. The worker wasps hatch first, and live between 3-4 weeks, tending to the nest, and looking after the queen and the larvae. Next, the males and queens hatch. The males mate with the queens and then die, while the queens leave the nest to hibernate over winter. None of the workers survive the cold, and the nests are never reused.