The late summer and early fall is the time of year when wasps typically become most annoying to humans. By this time, their food preferences have changed from smaller insects that they preferred in the spring to desiring sweeter food. It is likely that you have already had outdoor parties interrupted by wasps buzzing around your food and drinks. While usually they are not a huge problem, if wasps decide to nest near your home or business, you may find that action is needed to control the wasp population.
Identification and Behavior
Wasps vary greatly by species, but well-known wasps that are pests in Australia are paper wasps, European wasps, and mud wasps. Though sometimes confused with bees, these species of wasps can be identified by their smooth, shiny bodies and narrow (pinched) waists. They are typically yellow and black and 12-17 mm in length. Wasps tend to be much more aggressive than bees and will sting when threatened. Wasps can sting repeatedly and will send out a strong pheromone to call for help from other members of the colony. Multiple stings can be dangerous and potentially fatal. This has given wasps a bad reputation, when in reality, they are actually beneficial in several ways like helping to control damaging insect populations and pollinating plants.
Unfortunately, even beneficial bugs must be controlled in certain situations. When wasps nest near homes or businesses, they put the health of individuals at risk. While most wasp stings create a localized reaction (pain, swelling, redness), some individuals who are allergic to wasps may experience systemic reactions to stings. These more serious reactions could include swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, extremely low blood pressure, and even death in rare cases. The risks posed by wasps and bees may make it necessary for homeowners to eliminate them from their yard and home.
Wasp Control Methods
Effective wasp Control utilizes a wide range of measures and is often a joint effort between pest specialists and homeowners. Proper sanitation is one of the first things to try. Wasps are attracted to sweet food and drinks, so outdoor eating areas with crumbs or spills may attract a large number of wasps. It you have an outdoor patio area, it is important to keep it as clean as possible. It is also crucial to keep your rubbish bins covered and empty them regularly to prevent wasps from building nests nearby.
After sanitation is addressed, exclusion efforts can be put into place. These would include sealing up the exterior of your home to make it more difficult for wasps to get inside or modifying areas of the home to reduce potential nesting sights.
Lastly, there are methods of controlling wasps that involve traps, chemicals, and insecticides. When dealing with a large wasp nest, we strongly suggest hiring a professional who has been trained in using the products and has the proper equipment to remove the wasp nest safely. If you do choose to remove a wasp nest, generally a chemical spray to kill the wasps on contact is enough. Do this at night when the wasps aren’t active, and then wait a few days to ensure that activity within the nest has stopped.
If you are in need of Sunshine Coast Wasp Control, contact Radar Pest Control today. We are professional, friendly, and fast. It is our mission to be your go-to source for all of your pest control needs. We want to keep your family safe and pest free.