European Wasps
Which Wasp is WHICH?
European Wasp Paper Wasp
Please Note: Council does not locate or identify European Wasps or their nests if they are on private land.
The European wasp (Vespula germancia) is native to Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia, but not Australia. Its first recorded sighting in Australia was in 1959. The first nest destroyed in South Australia was in Port Adelaide in 1978. The European wasp is now well established in metropolitan Adelaide and has reached some country areas.
The European wasp, is most easily identifiable by:
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Its bright YELLOW body
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TRIANGULAR markings on the abdomen.
Queen Male Worker
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European Wasp |
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Size |
Workers: About 15mm (size of a bee) Queens: Larger (not usually seen) |
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Body Shape |
Stout: Like a bee |
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Colour |
Bright yellow and black, no other colours |
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Feelers |
All Black |
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Flying |
Legs held close to body during flight Fly very quickly, generally do not hover |
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Nests |
Rarely seen. Usually below ground |
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Shape |
Round or football shaped with an outer covering of insulating papier mache type material. Above nest is shown with this material peeled back for display |
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Size |
Large: Growing in summer to be size of a basketball or bigger |
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Location |
Normally in the ground but may be found in a roof or wall cavity. Will have a busy entrance hole with may wasps entering and exiting per minute. |
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Treatment |
Wasps will sting repeatedly. It is hazardous to approach the nest; do not attempt to treat the nest yourself. Wasp attacks can occur en-masse. |
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Food |
Wasps visiting pet foods, rubbish, meat or fish are likely to be European Wasps. |
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Paper Wasp
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|
Size |
Longer than a bee: 15-19mm |
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Body Size |
Longer thinner than a bee: narrow waist |
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Colour |
Yellow paper wasp: Bright yellow and black Common Paper wasp: Brown with yellow and black stripes |
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Feelers |
Orange or brown tips (see picture) |
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Flying |
Back legs dangle down during flight. Often seen hovering around bushes and over lawn |
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Nests |
Often seen, usually above ground |
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Shape |
Single flat layer of papery honeycomb cells. Grey-brown in colour often with some white-capped cells. |
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Size |
Golf ball to crumpet sized: Rarely can be as large as a dinner plate |
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Location |
Located under fence capping or roof tiles, also under eaves and in dense shrubs. Sometimes in hollow steel and piping |
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Treatment |
Paper wasps have some beneficial value as predators of pest caterpillars, however they have a painful sting and will attack any person approaching or disturbing their nest. Nests likely to be disturbed represent a hazard and should be avoided during the day. Ignore nests where they are high or otherwise out of the way. Nests in high traffic areas such as doorways, pergolas or carports can be sprayed from the side at night with a registered aerosol wasp insecticide. |
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Food |
Caterpillars; rarely come to meats |
Please note: Council does not promote the desctruction of the native paper wasps
DISCOURAGE wasps from your property
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AVOID leaving uneaten pet food or dog bones outside
- DO NOT leave fallen fruit or food scraps lying around your yard
- Make SURE rubbish bins have tight fitting lids
- Keep compost COVERED at all times
- COVER bird baths and fish ponds with fine mesh or shade cloth
- Keep your swimming pool COVERED when not in use
- Cover EXPOSED FOOD at picnics and Barbeques
- DON'T DRINK out of cans or bottles. Use clear containers or a straw
Finding the NEST
In order for the nest to be destroyed you need to locate the nest.
To find the nest you need to establish the direction the wasps are flying. To do this, place a good food source (i.e. meat or pet food) in a visible location. Once the wasp has collected the food, it will fly in a direct line to the nest.
A wasp may be scavenging for food up to 500m from the nest. Keep relocating the food sources in the direction of the nest. You may need to work cooperatively with your NEIGHBOURS.
Nests are located where shelter is available. Common locations for nests include retaining walls, hollows of trees and wall cavities.
Nests are often UNDERGROUND, and will be evident by a stream of wasps entering and leaving a hole in the ground.
The nest is made of grey papier mache type material. Nests constructed of mud are NOT European wasp nests.
FIRST AID
Wasps can STING repeatedly. The sting results in a fiery pain and RED SWELLING.
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APPLY ice/cold pack to sting
- Take oral analgesics if SEVERE pain
Stings to the FACE or neck or multiple stings may lead to severe swelling and/or allergic reaction. If this occurs and the person has DIFFICULTY BREATHING contact an ambulance, hospital or doctor.
Individuals who are allergic to bee stings may NOT necessarily be allergic to European wasp stings.
If in doubt seek immediate MEDICAL ADVICE.
For information on FIRST AID treatment and wasp stings contact the Poisons Information Centre. Country or City Phone 131126.
Reimbursement Of Cost
If you find European wasps or their nests on private land, please contact a licensed pest controller. In these circumstances, Council will reimburse up to $50.00 towards the cost of a confirmed extermination of the European wasps and their nests. Reimbursement towards the cost of multiple wasp nest treatments per property will be negotiated upon application.
If you find European wasps or their nests on Council property, please contact Council to arrange for the extermination of the European wasps and their nests, at no cost to you.
Please note: Council does not locate or identify European wasps or their nests if they are on private land, but will do so for European wasps on Council land.
For more information go to:
http://www.europeanwasp.lga.sa.gov.au/
http://www.csiro.au/en/Outcomes/Food-and-Agriculture/European-wasps.aspx
http://www.csiro.au/en/Outcomes/Environment/Biodiversity/Common-Paper-Wasps.aspx
