17 February 2009

Chiefly wasp warning

| johnboy
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The subject of European wasps has long been dear to our hearts here at RiotACT.

Today Chief Minister Stanhope is encouraging us to take on the scourge:

    “Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Jon Stanhope today urged Canberrans to be alert to the presence of European wasps, with 350 nests reported so far this breeding season.

    “European wasps can become very aggressive at this time of year with nests containing thousands of wasps all capable of inflicting a painful sting,” Mr Stanhope said. “Canberrans are urged to check their homes and gardens for nests.

    “Anyone who finds a nest should keep away from it and seek assistance by a qualified pest controller.

    “Further information is available by calling the ACT Government’s European Wasp hotline on 6162 1914,” Mr Stanhope said.

    People can identify a European wasp by its shape and distinctive black and yellow stripes, yellow legs and back spots on its abdomen. They are similar in size to honey bees with longer wings and antennae.”

Apparently compost heaps are a problem for wasp propagation as they’re a source of food. His Chiefliness would like them covered up. When the watertank mosquito problem raises its head the sustainability enthusiasts are going to start feeling put upon.

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The European wasp hotline 61621914 took a recoprd 60 calls yesterday!

Thanks Pesty. Hubby did ring and got some good info. Apparently if you have a nest nearby there is no doubt as it is likened to Grand Central Station with a line of the little blighters coming and going.

We will let the neighbours know they are about so they can be vigilant too.

Hotline will always be interested. Euro wasps feed on meat this time of year, blood & bone will be just their thing! In the autumn they change over to fruit, its to do with the forming of the queens, ask Dr Spradbery at the hotline for more details!

PS: Hubby is going to ring the hotline tomorrow but they may not be interested if we don’t know where the nest is located.

I was just about to start a similar post. While out gardening today we saw a group of European wasps hanging around . I was spreading blood and bone in the veggie patch and they seemed to like it. YIKES!!!

I kept on watering, weeding and pottering about and while they hovered around no bites. One came awfully close around my neck and ear and I walked off VERY quickly and it left me alone. Not sure how far to push my luck. We saw about 4-5 whizzing about yesterday so there must be a nest nearby unless they travel long distances.

I don’t know where the nest is or how to look for one. Any tips? Has anyone had a nest at their place? We have rendered brick walls so probably unlikely to be in the brickwork.

swamiOFswank4:50 pm 15 Feb 09

Nothing an aerosol and a lighter can’t fix…or if they’re in your wall cavity, surface spray will get them as they’re crawling out the gap. Just takes a little bit, every other day or so, and soon you’ll have the lot of them.

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