Cold and icy winters are necessary to keep the wasp population in check, as the dormant queens will succumb to the cold unless well-hidden and insulated. Mature nests unless insulated, typically will not survive the winter either, so the whole life cycle starts again. If winter is mild, more queens will survive and so too will many mature nests.
The mature nests can be large in summer, and the volume of wasps residing within them will already be quite intimidating. The new queens, however, will be busy building nests where ever they see fit and not threatened by other wasps. You can find nests in all manner of places, but within the urban environment, they are most commonly found in roof voids or unattended garden sheds.
This summer, if it heats up with consistent warm still weather, then the potential to brew the perfect wasp storm is there. Luckily thus far though, summer has been quite windy and wet with the La Nina weather system being our saving grace by keeping the median temps quite low and foraging for food difficult.
Wasps cannot fly too well in the wind and rain so the nests will be losing workers at a high rate. If this summer continues as it is then the current population of wasps should settle back down to a manageable level for next summer. If not, then I will be expecting a lot of urgent phone calls.
What to do if you discover a wasp nest on your property:
– Do not approach the nest! You WILL be stung.
– Observe the nest from a distance only and if possible from inside your home.
– If you can’t find the nest, but there are lots of wasps around individual trees? Call us for free advice.
– Call a Professional Pest Control Company for safe handling and eradication of this pest.
– Do not attempt to eliminate the nest with petroleum products as it doesn’t work and often people end up being stung, burnt and end up on a ‘fail’ video for the effort.
If you are determined to do it yourself and have experience with wasps. Attempt this only if the nest is small and easy to access. Do take all precautions required by reading the instructions on products designed for wasp control such as wearing PPE. Cautiously proceed with eliminating the nest/s, but let it be it your judgement call only. I do not endorse this choice of action. Please do not hold me accountable if you too end up on a ‘fail’ video. 🙂
The absolute best thing you can do, is to hand it over to the professionals to deal with quickly and safely.
Read more about our Wasp Control Services. For advice or to have a nest eliminated, do feel free to contact us here for a free quote, or via email or phone.