Contrary to popular belief, wasp nests are not used year after year and instead are abandoned by the colony once the spring and summer cycle is complete. Understanding the life cycle of the wasp will reassure anyone that wasp colonies are not a year long threat.
Firstly, there are two main types of wasp - social and solitary. Social wasps are the ones that build nests in which populations can reach between 5,000 - 10,000 by the height of summer, whereas solitary wasps, as the name suggests, are loners.
Solitary Wasps
There are four main locations where solitary wasps are likely to rear their young:
- Underground in small burrows, or in cliff faces that they tunnel themselves. A hazard for anyone in bare feet particularly when these underground locations are sited in a garden.
- Inside their prey. A wasp can use her ovipositor to sting and paralyse a caterpillar and then inject her eggs into the caterpillar's body. The eggs hatch and the larvae feed on the body of the caterpillar and grow to become full sized wasps.
- In holes previously occupied by beetles or other bugs.
- In small nests that they construct themselves out of mud, wood or other materials.
Social Wasps
Social wasps build nests from wood scrapings, and occasionally paper and cardboard, which they mix with their saliva to form cellulose. These nests can be found in the following locations depending on the type of social wasp:
- Under the eaves of a house roof
- In attics
- In walls or roof spaces
- In trees or hedges
- Underground
Getting Rid of Wasps
The most common reason for wanting to get rid of wasps nests is that a colony might be sited where it is causing a lot of problems, in that people or pets are getting stung on a regular basis. Some people experience severe allergic reactions to wasp venom which then results in anaphylaxis.
Most environmental officers would recommend calling in an expert to get rid of wasps' nests. It makes sense to hire someone who has a great deal of experience, rather than attempting to do it oneself having never removed a wasp nest before.
If the decision is made to go it alone, track down exactly where the nest is by watching for the large numbers of wasps returning at night and noting exactly where they go. The best time to do the dastardly deed is either in the very early morning before the wasps are up and about on the prowl for insects, or late at night when they have all settled in until morning.
Wear as much protective clothing as possible so as to avoid being stung, and with as thick an outer covering as possible since wasp stings can penetrate most fabrics.
If the nest is high in a tree then use a wasp killer that delivers a projectile spray of a good 15-20 feet. Sometimes it's necessary to give the spray a good two or three goes until no wasps are emerging from the nest, at which time the nest can then be knocked down and demolished, but care should be taken in case some wasps are still inside and angry.
For a nest that is accessible and not too large, an ordinary wasp killer spray is adequate, although if it's sited in a confined space then it's certainly more sensible to hire a wasp exterminator after all. The two main problems with destroying nests in a confined space are a) the build up of wasp spray in the air, as it is a poison, and b) the impossibility of retreating fast enough in the event that the wasps retaliate.
Some yellow jackets build their nests underground, in which case an ordinary wasp spray is adequate, or pour some paraffin in the hole and then seal it with earth.
It's worth the reminder that the pheromones in wasp stings will attract any other wasps in the vicinity. A nest may contain thousands of wasps. Tackling a wasp nest can be dangerous and if there is any hesitation then the best and most practical advice is to call in an expert.
For further information about wasps you may like to see the following articles:
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