Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) has announced that a new and improved mobile app and website for dealing with European Wasps in the ACT has been released.
TCCS’s wasp specialist, Jim Bariesheff, from CoreEnviro Solutions, said the updated app had an easy-to-use GPS mapping tool that allowed the user to report a European Wasp nest or sighting by dropping a pin on the location.
Mr Bariesheff said it also provided access to camera capability when reporting nests, identifying insects, arachnids and more.
He said last year was a busy season for wasp hunters.
“During 2017-18, a total of 1,052 confirmed European Wasp nests were treated in Canberra,” Mr Bariesheff said.
“There were 131 wasp stinging incidents reported of which 99 were European Wasps.
“With another dry and warm winter now over, we may experience another busy wasp season.”
He said that if residents came across individual wasps, they should treat them with a registered insecticide.
Established nests should be treated by a qualified pest controller to avoid any possible stinging incidents and to ensure the nest was properly controlled.
“European wasp nests are often hidden, the most common nesting sites are in wall cavities, a hole in the ground, roofs and even in conifer trees,” Mr Bariesheff said.
“When a European Wasp queen makes her nest in one of these locations, a steady stream of wasps will be seen leaving and returning to the nest as the day warms up.
“If a nest is disturbed, they can become aggressive in protecting the nest and may sting.”
To report a European Wasp queen or nest, contact the European Wasp Hotline on 6258 5551, or use the new app.
For people with the old app they will need to uninstall it and download the one now available at the App and Play stores.
