Wasps can be useful as they feed
their grubs on insects and flies and help pollinate flowers.
Wasps are related to bees and ants. There are seven species in
Britain including hornets. The two species most commonly found are
the Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and the German Wasp (Vespula
germanica).
Spring
The queen emerges from her winter hibernation and begins to look
for a suitable nesting site. When she has found one, she begins to
build her nest with a papery material that she makes by chewing
small pieces of wood with saliva.
The nest consists of a canopy under which there is a stalk to
which tiers of cells are attached.
The openings of the cells face downwards and, as she lays an egg
in each completed cell, the queen sticks it in place. When the
grubs have hatched from the eggs the queen will feed them until
they are ready to pupate.
The Council can provide control treatment for wasps.
This is a chargeable service.
Summer
By about the beginning of July enough adult workers have emerged
from the cells to take over the duties of nest building and feeding
the grubs. The queen then stays in the nest and devotes herself
entirely to egg laying. Eventually a colony might consist of
several thousand wasps.
Autumn
This is the time of year when males and young queens are
produced, the males fertilise the queens and, with the remaining
workers, die. The queens fly off to find hibernating quarters in
dry protected places such as sheds.
Winter
The queens hibernate throughout the winter to emerge in the
spring. Old nests are not reused but a specially favourable site
may be used again to build a new nest.
People are often frightened of wasps because of their painful
stings, but in fact most species rarely sting unless disturbed or
annoyed.
Treatment of Stings
The effects of wasp stings usually last only a few hours. A
soothing lotion containing calamine may be helpful in reducing
pain.
Medical assistance should be sought for stings in the mouth or
throat.
An extremely small number of people are very sensitive to wasp
stings. They will always need immediate medical attention.
To book a treatment please contact Customer Service Direct via
the link below:
Customer Service Direct - Pest
Control