Common Paper Wasps are the most widespread wasp variety found in Melbourne. The life cycle of a wasp begins in the late spring when the days start to warm. The queen chooses a nest site and starts building the nest by shredding wood. When she chews the wood, her saliva turns into a wax-type material which helps to build the nest. Then, the queen wasp starts laying eggs inside these cells. The eggs will hatch and she will forage for food to feed the larvae. By midsummer, the larvae becomes adult, making the nest densely populated. In late summer and early autumn, fertile females and drones are produced.
Common Paper Wasps offer some ecological benefits such as pollination, parasitism, and predation. However, wasps can give you a painful sting as it becomes very offensive particularly in autumn. Since Common Paper Wasp nest are commonly found in a residential area, people might start to notice the increasing presence of wasps and unintentional interference to their nest is often unavoidable. They won’t tolerate any interference to their nest and many people in Melbourne get stung by wasps.
Is It A Wasp or A Bee?
Bees (especially honey bees) and wasps are often mistaken for one another. While both are capable of stinging people, there are some noticeable differences between them. One of them is wasps have a slender body that narrows along the waist area that is shiny sleek. On the other hand, bees have tiny hairs all over their bodies.
The honeybee is normally passive, it will only sting when it feels attacked. They can only sting once & dies when they sting. Wasps are aggressive & they can sting multiple times.
Bees are usually seen around flowers, collecting pollen and nectar Wasps are usually seen around food and drink. Knowing these differences will help to prevent unfortunate encounters with these insects. Moreover, you can find the best pest control method either to remove or to exterminate them.
Where to Look for The Wasps Nests?
Wasps cover up their nests within the roof spaces or wall voids of a building, making it extremely difficult to find them. You can often find wasp nests in roof spaces, bird boxes, wall cavities, under eaves, garages and shades.
Other Places to Look For:
- Trees
- Bushes
- Behind shutters
- Near light fixtures
- Beneath concrete
- Under rocks
- Mailbox stands
- Crack or crevice of a building
- Unused grills
- Eaves, Decks, and patios
- Bellow fallen logs
Signs to Look For:
- Follow the Flight Path:
As wasps return to the nest to feed their queen, you can see them leaving their nest frequently throughout the day. If you follow the flight path of the swarming wasp, you can find the nest location.
- Listen to The Buzzing Sound:
If the nest is in an out-of-the-way location, you can depend on the sound to find it. With a nest containing thousands of insects, you will hear buzzing sound which ensures their presence.
Wasp removal is difficult, especially if you don’t have adequate knowledge of dealing with it. To successfully identify and remove wasp nests, consulting with an expert is the best thing to do. Call us at 0413397270 if you suspect wasps’ infestations or require bee nest removals.
