Home
Biology: Two of the eleven species of wasps found in Europe
are wide spread throughout Britain. Hornets, Vespa crabro, the largest of the wasp family are rarely seen.
Only the queens of both the Common & German wasps are able to hibernate. The queens emerge in the spring
to build a nest in a hollow in a tree, hole in the ground or roof void. She lays between 20 - 30 eggs, nurturing
these first few workers herself. The workers take on the task of building the nest, foraging for food, caring
for the new offspring. Nests are constructed out of wood pulp and a wasp's diet consists of aphids, carrion,
insects etc. The workers travel upto 500m of the nest on their foraging sprees and by late summer can number
in the 10's of thousands per nest.
Wasps stings are extremely painful, and for some - Fatal. An average of three people die each year,
the victims of anaphylactic shock resulting from wasps stings.
Size: Length 10 - 12mm (½ Inch) wing span 25 - 40 mm (1 - 1½ inches).
Markings: Black & Yellow bands on the abdomen, distinctive waist between thorax and abdomen. The different markings on the head are used to identify species.
Location: Throughout Britain, nesting roof voids, wall cavities, sheds, hollow trees.
Detection: Sightings of great activity around entrance near the nest.
Solution: For a survey, quotation and treatment contact AQUILA
All Surveys and Quotations are free of charge
All work undertaken is guaranteed
All Work carried out is completed to the standards recommended
by the industries governing bodies
