The queen wasp emerges in mid-April and starts to build the colony. She constructs a number of hexagonal cells in which she lays the first eggs. These eggs hatch to form larvae which in turn pupate and hatch into the first workers of the colony at about the end of May. They take over the nest building and tend to the larva while the queen concentrates on laying more eggs to produce more workers.

The nest is enlarged all summer and can house up to about 5000 wasps. The nest is made from paper formed from wood pulp and saliva with the entrance usually near the bottom. As autumn approaches male and female wasps are produced and the colony begins to break up. As the weather turns cold the wasps die out leaving only mated queens to hibernate over the winter. The nest is never used again. Wasps, unlike bees, have no method of storing food over winter.

Wasps do not have the nectar-sucking mouth parts like bees but they do however like sweet things. In return for feeding them, the larva regurgitate a sugary substance which the worker wasps lap up. In the autumn when no more larvae are being produced the wasps seek out other sources of sugary substances. This is when they become a nuisance.

Wasps use their stings to kill prey. The venom produced in association with the sting can cause pain but it is not usually dangerous. However a small minority of people can suffer an allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock. Immediate medical attention must be sought in these cases. 

In the spring and early summer when the nest is small it may be possible for an amateur to destroy it. However, as the size of the nest and number in the colony increases it is advisable to seek professional help.

Not all nests need treatment; it depends on their location.

To get advice or to tell the council of a wasp nest please call 0300 300 8302

Fees

The treatment of wasps - £61.20 (concessionary fee - £30.60)