Have you seen any wasps flying around your home in past few weeks? If so, it’s time you check your home for Paper Wasps. In the Newcastle and Hunter Region, Paper Wasps are well and truly very active right now.
They are a very common wasp and the reason they are called Paper Wasps is because their nests are made from chewing weathered wood and mixing saliva which produces the soft paper like nest.
Where do wasps live?
A good place to start looking for their paper nests is outside on North and West facing walls. The reason being is that these directions get the warmest of the sun through the day.Naturally, these wasps will want to build a nest in these areas.
Their paper like nest starts out small and can commonly be found under windows, eaves, guttering and the like. Below is a picture of a newly formed nest.
Other places to look out for them are on the actual surface of the walls. Often they will start constructing nests on the surfaces but a lot of the time the nest will become too large and not be able to support itself. It will also be exposed more to the elements.
In the right environment and if left unchecked and allowed to grow, these nests can become quite large and contain many individuals. This will pose more of risk and increase the chance of being stung. Most nests in an urban get to about the size pictured below.
Wasp Dangers
They wasps generally are not aggressive and most stings from these wasps are inflicted when a nest is disturbed or threatened. Most stings will happen when you don’t realise that the nest is there.
If you brush past a branch or plant which wasps have built a nest.The wasps in this case will swarm out and sting. Sometimes they will pursue the threat. They’re capable of stinging multiple times which can be painful and may swell and remain itchy for several days.
So this summer when you’re outside gardening or mowing the lawns, try to have a quick look on the branches of the tree or shrub before you trim it, brush past it or work below it. Having a quick look can be the difference between being stung or not.
What to do if you’re stung by a wasp
If you are stung it is recommended that you wash the sting area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic; apply an ice-pack to reduce pain and swelling; and seek medical attention if there are symptoms other than a local reaction or there are signs of infection. Some sensitive individuals who are allergic to chemicals foreign to the body can react severely and anaphylaxis may occur. For anyone showing signs of severe reaction call 000 for an ambulance and have the patient taken immediately to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
How to get rid of wasps
Control of this insect is best left to professionals who have and proper personal protective equipment and very good products capable of controlling the adult wasps very fast.
Still concerned?
If you find that you have a problem with Paper Wasps nesting on your property, Call Amalgamated Pest Control Newcastle.