16 May 2012

Wasps on the march

| johnboy
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wasps and bees

Territory and Municipal Services are warning of increasing numbers of the winged menace known as the European Wasp:

The number of European wasp nests reported in Canberra this year has increased by 15 percent in comparison to the same period last year, Dr Philip Spradbery, wasp expert with Territory and Municipal Services, announced today.

“The European Wasp Hotline has been inundated with reports,” Dr Spradbery said. “A total of 480 nests have already been found this year to the end of March. This increase reflects the wasps’ capacity to increase nest production during autumn, their queen-rearing season.

“In Canberra each nest has the potential of producing up to 20,000 new queens which is a tenfold increase to the 2,000 new queens produced in Europe during their autumn. Each queen produced at this time of the year is potentially a new nest next year.

“To decrease the number of wasp nests in Canberra, residents are asked to be vigilant and report nests immediately. Finding and reporting nests are the crucial stages of reduction.

Won’t anyone think of the al fresco diners?

If you see a nest call 6162 1914.


UPDATE 16/05/12 16:06: TAMS Have tweeted this amazing picture of the nest in Kambah:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozkBd2p2piU

The problem with the wasps is not only their numbers, they can keep stinging multiple times until you get them.

And ants that can fly are much more efficient if you cover their holes they can dig a new route out in minutes. Pitty TAMS can’t make use of that talent

Jivrashia said :

maniac said :

Can we have a picture of what the nests look like please.

I think it’s something like this.

Like this:
http://the-riotact.com/european-wasps-revisitied/6583

Although they do like to live in roof and wall cavities of house.

We had one lot in our roof and when the guy sprayed the nest, hundreds of the buggers flew out looking to attack.

In my case I got rid of it before it got that big.

Saw a blowie the size of a Bogong Moth in a classroom at Erindale College last night. This must surely qualify as the earliest annual sighting in Canberra.
With the wasps, everyhome should have on hand a pressure can of a commercial grade wasp killer. The nozzle on the can directs the liquid in a fine, powerful stream so European Wasps can be shot down in flight from 5 metres away – instant death to them. Can also be sprayed on their nest but this is best left to a professional.

maniac said :

Can we have a picture of what the nests look like please.

I think it’s something like this.

In my case I got rid of it before it got that big.

Can we have a picture of what the nests look like please.

G-Fresh said :

Would love to see a video of the extrication.

Yeah but only a video. You don’t want to be anywhere near a European wasp nest when they spray them. They go absolutely beserk.

Would love to see a video of the extrication.

There are quite a few wasps in parts of Yarralumla and Griffith. Surely they won’t ever reach the ‘bohemian’ inner north?

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