Wasps are considered a nuisance. When feeding on sweet food such as jam, plums, apples, pears, they are more likely to sting. Unlike bees, wasps can sting several times.

Life Cycle
A single wasp begins construction on a nest that may eventually house more than 500 adults.

By the end of the summer, a large nest contains males, female workers, and a number of specially nurtured new queens, which leave the nest to begin their own nests the following spring. With the onset of severe weather the nests die out.

Treating a Wasps Nest Yourself
Insecticide powder to treat wasps can be brought from most DIY stores and garden centres. It is important to always read the label carefully and only use the insecticide for the use intended.

Wasps nests should be treated early or late in the day when wasp activity is at its lowest.

Firstly find the entrance to the nest by observing where the wasps are entering. Nests are frequently located in loft spaces, cavity walls, flower beds, garden sheds, rockeries and roof eaves.

Puff the insect powder in and around the entrance; returning workers will then carry the insecticide into the nest on their bodies contaminating the nest. Within several days all the wasps should be dead.

Nests are only active for a season from April until the September / October. If nests are not treated with an insecticide, they are not used the following year. An empty nest can be removed without specialist knowledge.