The current European Wasp season is the busiest on record, with almost 800 nests reported and destroyed and almost 90 stinging incidents treated.
Senior Pest and Weed Officer at CoreEnviro Solutions, the official environmental contractor dealing with the pest, Jim Bariesheff said that among the incidents dealt with was an extraordinarily large nest in McKellar, measuring 1.4 metres long, 80 cm high and 50 cm wide.
“In January, we reported approximately 2,000 wasps per nest, but with the large volume of nests reported and destroyed since, we have experienced larger than normal nests, with some containing over 10,000 wasps,” Mr Bariesheff said.
He said CoreEnviro Solutions had addressed a number of nests in public areas including parklands, shopping centres and cafés.
“Where numbers were found to be very high, we set up baiting programs to reduce numbers for public safety,” Mr Bariesheff said.
“These programs have been very successful in reducing wasp numbers.”
He said residents and business owners were urged to conduct regular inspections of their properties for possible European wasp nests and encourage their neighbours to do the same.
“Wasps can gain access through cracks, crevices and holes around windows and door frames,” Mr Bariesheff said.
He said residents should look out for a steady stream of wasps leaving and returning to an area.
“Unfortunately the high number of nests we’ve uncovered this past season has meant a higher number of stinging incidents, with 88 reported to date,” Mr Bariesheff said.
He said residents could minimise European wasps around their properties in a number of ways, including by picking up fallen fruit, not leaving uneaten pet food or dog bones outdoors, ensuring rubbish bins had tight-fitting lids and covering compost bins.
