WASP NEST TREATMENTS

When the temperatures start to rise in the summertime, so too does the wasp population.

Wasps can be regarded as beneficial insects as they kill an enormous number of other ‘pests' e.g. flies, caterpillars etc. Due to their high-energy needs, wasps also feed on nectar from a variety of flowers and are important pollinators in gardens and orchards.

But, wasps are a pest. When they are gathering woody material for nest-building, they can chew and damage the timbers of both fences and buildings. They strip the bark of trees causing die-back of branches and young shoots and in late summer they can do significant damage to fruit crops. When they nest in high traffic areas or near homes they are a nuisance and about 3-5% of people can have a potentially dangerous reaction to stings.

Any nests tend to reach their maximum in size in late summer, when typically 3 - 5,000 workers will be present and these workers may forage for food for up to 400 metres from the nest. If a wasp nest is left untreated it will eventually die out over winter, but before this happens the nest will produce approximately 100 fertile Queens that will hibernate and start nests the following year.

If access to the nest can be gained, an aerosol treatment can produce very fast results. The combination of a pyrethroid and a suffocating vapour will quickly kill all nest inhabitants including the larvae. Any insects returning to the nest will not enter the nest and will disperse and die.

Just direct the jet towards the nest, beginning from a distance of up to 3m (10ft). Spray until the nest and all visible wasps are contacted then move forward, spraying continually, until the jet can be discharged directly into the nest hole. For large nests the whole aerosol should be discharged.

If you require further information on wasp nest control and Sorex Wasp Nest Destroyer MkII please contact us here.

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