Wasp Control Melbourne
European wasps are approximately 12 – 16mm long (queens are about 20mm long). They have a bright yellow body with black triangle-shaped markings, yellow legs, and two long black antennae. These wasps have remarkable breeding ability, so it’s crucial to identify and address the issue promptly. They scavenge for food and are much more aggressive than native bees. Around 80% of European Wasp nests are in the ground, making them difficult to notice until disturbed, at which point they may attack. One of the most significant risks is being stung while drinking soft drinks, which can block the airways.
Additionally, sensitivity to the sting may increase with each occurrence. Wasps are hunters; in the spring, they search for aphids, greenflies, and insects to feed their young. During this time, they become aggressive and may attack if they perceive a threat to their nest or young. European wasp nests do not die over winter, as the weather in Australia does not get cold enough, so the nest will continue to grow.
European wasps, are approximately 12mm – 16mm long (queens are about 20mm long). They have a bright yellow body with black triangle-shaped markings, yellow legs, and two long black antennae. These wasps have remarkable breeding ability, so it’s crucial to identify and address the issue promptly. They scavenge for food and are much more aggressive than native bees. Around 80% of European Wasp nests are in the ground, making them difficult to notice until disturbed, at which point they may attack. One of the most significant risks is being stung while drinking soft drinks, which can block the airways. Additionally, sensitivity to the sting may increase with each occurrence. Wasps are hunters; in the spring, they search for aphids, greenflies, and insects to feed their young. During this time, they become aggressive and may attack if they perceive a threat to their nest or young. European wasp nests do not die over winter, as the weather in Australia does not get cold enough, and as a result, the nest will continue to grow.
Wasp prevention advice includes ways to help prevent and minimise the likelihood of wasps establishing nests around your home. Please note that this is advisory only.
- Do not leave fallen fruit or food scraps lying around the yard.
- Please don’t leave uneaten pet food.
- Could you make sure all rubbish bins tight-fittingtting lid?
- Replace missing or damaged bricks.
- You can use a mortar or a caulking gun to seal any cracks.
- Keep the compost neat and covered at all times.
- Keep swimming pools covered when not in use.
- Cover exposed food at picnics and barbeques.
- Never drink out of a can. Instead, use a straw, clear containers, or pour drinks into a glass.
- Never leave drink cans or bottles unattended; it may encourage wasps to crawl inside.
- Ensure children’s hands and faces are cleaned after eating sweet, sugary foods and drinks.
- Please don’t interfere with an active nest.
- If you discover a nest, keep children away, and all windows and doors closed.
Australia is home to approximately 30 species of native paper wasps ranging from 7-25 mm in length. These wasps are typically black-striped, yellow, or brown. Paper wasps are in every Australian state except Tasmania; they can be aggressive when defending their nests, so it’s best to steer clear of them. However, they benefit the garden by feeding on insect pests such as caterpillars, leaf-mining flies, and other small insects, contributing to population control. Paper wasps construct their nests using a combination of fibre mixed into a pulp and bits of wood, earning them the title of “paper makers” of the insect world. The behaviour of paper wasps reflects their busy lives, with females constantly engaged in various activities. Whether collecting nectar or small insects from flowers or scraping wood fibres to build nests on old fences, paper wasps play a crucial role as pollinators in the garden. A young female wasp that initiates a nest becomes a queen and breeds an army of builders to assist in nest construction. She creates pulp by mixing wood fibres with saliva and uses it to shape the first few cells of the nest, laying an egg in each one. This process highlights paper wasps’ critical role in controlling the insect pests’ population and their unique nesting behaviour.
