Wasp & WASP CONTROL - Expert Advice

Pest Control: European Wasps

Learn about European wasps
and related pest control methods

The European wasp can be deadly

European wasps sting repeatedly: The European Wasp, also called Yellow Jacket wasp can attack in large numbers, as a single motivated group and may sting repeatedly in a frenzy. In such circumstances, this feral pest can be highly dangerous to children, the infirmed and elderly.

Sting causes extreme pain: The sting of a European wasp is extremely painful and highly inflammatory if you are stung on the throat or other glandular parts of your body.

Death can occur: European wasps love sweet sugars and arew known to enter a soft drink or beer can during a summer BBQ. Deaths of people have occured where a person has swallowed a European wasp and been bitten inside the person's throat causing massive swelling of the glands and sudden death by asphyxiation (suffocation).

Paper wasps also aggressive: Paper Wasps are not nearly as dangerous but they too can be aggressive during hot weather periods and may cause severe pain from their sting. Paper wasps are about 20 mm in length, and should be approached with caution.

European wasps - identification and nesting locations

Identification: The European wasp can be identified by the bright yellow and black stripes on it's abdomen in the pattern as depicted by the graphic on your left. The paper wasp has brown and orange stripes.

Nesting locations: European wasp nests are usually found in the ground, rockeries, tree stumps, wall cavities and roof voids. The Paper wasp is usually found in a small papery nest usually hanging from a horizontal surface, such as, on walls under ceilings, window sills, awnings, shrubs and similar locations.

Pest control: European wasps

Locate the nest: If you see a European wasp on your property and want to help eradicate the danger imposed by this wasp, then then you could attempt carefully to find the source of the problem - the colony nest.

WARNING: DO NOT attempt to eradicate a European colony wasp nest yourself, unless you have the complete range of protective equipment and professional knowledge essential in the circumstances. Your action could induce the entire colony to swarm and attack as a group - a dangerous situation if you are not prioperly protected.

The cost of professional wasp control using a registered wasp control insecticide will depend upon many factors, including the the extent of infestation and ease of locating the colony nest.

Expect to pay about $150 to $200 for an average size residential property and moderate infestation. The applicable service warranty period may vary depending upon the circumstances and the associated risk of reinfestation.

Learn about other common household pests