25 June 2008

European Wasps, You Can Help

| Pesty
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Further to a very informative and amusing post on RA regarding European wasps, if anyone comes across a nest, particularly in the ground between now and the spring, could they please report it to the European wasp hotline as it now (in winter)has significant scientific interest. The gentleman who runs the operation, Dr Philip Spradbery is working on a means to control their spread. Removal of the nest would be free (and interesting to watch). These bugs are getting steadily out of control in the ACT, any help to eradicate them is in the public interest. Call Canberra Connect for contact information (13 22 81).

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Just a reminder, that Dr.Spradbery is still in need of live European wasp nests for experimental purposes vital to the long term control of the pests. contact is via TAMS or direct 61621914. removal of useful nests is always free, destruction may be free until October if the nest is not useable.

Typo corrected

Just a reminder, that Dr.Spradery is still in need of live European wasp nests for experimental purposes vital to the long term control of the pests. contact is via TAMS or direct 61621914. removal of useful nests is always free, destruction may be free until October if the nest is not useable.

not to my knowledge, that’s not to say if it were causing a public nuisance there is not some law or other that could apply? One for the lawyers on RA to answer. Removal can cost up to $200, and there are cowboys out there too! If you are paying more than half that, its to much. Ring the EW & insect identification hotline for advise 61621914

Re Skids crazy, bunny boiling neighbour: can someone be forced by the authorities to have a wasp nest removed from their property?

Skidbladnir said :

Other than “somewhere near, in, or beyond the crazy lady’s overgrown backyard or house” i have no idea.
If I set foot in her backyard she’ll probably boil a bunny, or kill my dog, or something.

In that case, one supposes she (the witch) has not dealt with the problem, so you need to be very vigilant in the spring/ summer as its entirely possible you will find that you have aquired a queen from her, and your very own nest!

Other than “somewhere near, in, or beyond the crazy lady’s overgrown backyard or house” i have no idea.
If I set foot in her backyard she’ll probably boil a bunny, or kill my dog, or something.

BTW Did you end up finding the nest the other day?

Meat is better for most of the season, they go for fruit more in the autumn I believe.

Discovered an suprisingly simple way of locating the european wasps nests t’other day…

Just cut up a piece of fruit into tiny little pieces (an apple into half centimeter bits worked, but i guess anything sweet will work, so even a bit of toast with syrup on it might work) and leave a bit where you’ve seen the wasp flying around.
If its sufficiently enticing, they come and pick it up, and then fly straight back home with it.
Its much easier to track such an object being carried than a single flying wasp against a shifting backdrop.
But be warned, they bring back friends after a few such successful trips.

Works a treat if they’re on your own property, or if the nest is on somebody else’s property you may have to scale a few fences to work out where it is.

WASPS and napalm. Is there no humanity left in this world?

Wide Boy Jake4:10 pm 25 Jun 08

European WASPS? What about black people?

I just watched it, and I like it. I lolled when the guy stapled himself to the gazebo frame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npnZvTLMR1w

I hate that ad.

Pesty said :

Why? do they use “wasp” as a “buzz word” or something?

“200 kilowatts” is misheard and becomes “200 killer wasps”, panic ensues.

kevn said :

I could call to find out, no doubt, but do they care if we find a lot of wasps floating around but no nest as far as we can see? I would think not, as it could easily be in a neighbours yard or anywhere else?

Yes, you need to find the nest, could be 500 metres away!

Holden Caulfield said :

Are these the wasps Toyota mentioned in their TV commercial?

Why? do they use “wasp” as a “buzz word” or something?

kevn said :

I could call to find out, no doubt, but do they care if we find a lot of wasps floating around but no nest as far as we can see? I would think not, as it could easily be in a neighbours yard or anywhere else?

The point of the post is that if anyone finds a nest at this time of the year it is scientifically significant. Any other time, particularly if it’s in the ground, by reporting it to the hotline, you may get it removed for free if it’s siutable.

English wasps are slightly different (Vespula vularis)to European wasps (Vespula germanica) but they are pretty similar. The problem here in Australia is how much better they are doing than in their native country. Generally speaking they will leave you alone unless you go near the nest, particularly in Autumn, they will attack you. will we get used to them? I guess we will have little choice.

“They are just misunderstood…”
And seem to fit right in! Over the summer whenever we had a bbq we’d find they would turn up to check it out and hover over the food (especially the steak, they seem to have a real love of steak). It was enough to send me fleeing into the house to eat (read, hide). On a positive note, when we reported the situation we got the quickest response from the real estate agent we’ve had to date. Even faster than when the plumbing packed it in.

Holden Caulfield1:10 pm 25 Jun 08

Are these the wasps Toyota mentioned in their TV commercial?

The wasps are fine on their own, just don’t tick them off or find a bunch of them.
They get really aggressive.

it is interesting to note, that whilst australians are diving for cover to avoid these wasps, as we aren’t familiar with them, that several english people I know are just casually brushing them off their sleeves, waving them away from their food etc, etc.

when will we be the same?

and how many people are reporting little yellow native bees as wasps?

I could call to find out, no doubt, but do they care if we find a lot of wasps floating around but no nest as far as we can see? I would think not, as it could easily be in a neighbours yard or anywhere else?

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