|
PESTS:
EUROPEAN
WASPS
 Introduced
into Australia, the European wasp has
become a dangerous pest.
Description
- The
same size or slightly larger than a
honey bee.
- Unlike
other wasps, the European wasp has
black antennae and a yellow (not
orange) and black body.
- The
black markings on its body are
arrow-shaped, pointing backwards, along
the top of the abdomen, with black
spots on either side.
Habits
and Habitats
- They
thrive in urban areas, living in nests
hidden underground, or in wall
cavities, ceilings of buildings and in
cracks in retaining walls or
rockeries.
- The
nest is not visible from the outside,
but it is the size of a football or
even larger. It is made of a papery
material.
- The
only way to pin-point the location of a
nest, is to observe the activities of
the wasps. You will see them coming and
going from the opening to the
nest.
- They
have a great liking for meat and sweet
things, like fruit and even soft
drinks, making them a frequent nuisance
at barbeques.
- European
wasps are dangerous because, unlike a
bee, which can only sting once, wasps
can sting multiple times.
Venom
Allergy
to European wasp stings is possible,
though in general, the sting is nothing
more than a painful experience.
However, deaths have occurred when
wasps have stung people in the throat
after being swallowed. Wasps enter
soft-drink cans in search of the sweet
drink, and are easily swallowed
Control
The
only effective way to control these
wasps is to remove the nest. This is
dangerous and requires the skill of a
licenced, experienced pest
consultant.
WARNING:
IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO DRINK FROM
SOFT-DRINK CANS WHEN THESE WASPS ARE
AROUND.
Our 25
years' experience ... your peace of
mind
|
Total
Pest Solutions
PO
Box 2083, South Plympton
South Australia. 5038.
Phone 1800 503 394
(08) 8297 4981
|
