Wasps

  • Wasps are feared by many people
  • They can sting repeatedly
  • The venom in wasps gives off a scent known as pheromone – this makes other wasps aggressive
  • Their sting can cause potential fatal anaphylaxis shock in some people
  • A sting can be treated with deodorant containing aluminium
  • A male wasp is called a drone
  • The drone mates with the queen – and then dies
  • Wasps do not swarm
  • The European Hornet strips barks from trees, causing damage
  • Young wasps are fed insect larvae
  • The only wasps to survive winter are young, fertilised queens
  • After hibernating, she builds a nest and lays around a dozen eggs
  • She will feed the emerging young for a short time
  • These then become her workers
  • Workers are female – they forage for food, feed the young and defend the nest
  • In late summer, males are produced and new queens
  • They fly away to mate
  • The cold weather kills all other male and female workers and non-fertilised queens
  • Wasps can become more aggressive during August through October

DIAGNOSIS

Nuisance scale: 8/10 HIGH

Unpleasant and uncomfortable living with or close to a wasp nest

Hazard: 10/10 HIGH

Nasty sting which is painful or, at worst, fatal to those allergic to it

HOW WE TREAT THIS PEST

A severe nuisance and can be life threatening. All Ssfe Pest Control technicians are medically trained to a high standard (trauma medics etc) and can give you advice not only on how to best deal with the wasps but also how to look after yourself in the event of being stung. Wasp nest treatment is a very simple and 100% guaranteed service.

VITAL STATISTICS

Length: 1.3cm

Description: Yellow and black stripes and are considered aggressive

INTERESTING FACTS

  • Wasps are social insects
  • There can be up to 10,000 wasps in a single nest
  • Wasps are omnivorous, eating a mixture of plants and animals
  • Wasps can be useful as they are predators of caterpillars
  • They are only active during the day
  • Only female wasps have stingers
  • Wasps don’t sleep and will not fly at night unlike hornets which are nocturnal
  • Wasps can recognise others from the same nest by facial recognition, this prevents cross breeding