FAST FACTS – WASPS
A wasp can fly faster than a running human! If you try and swat a wasp, it will emit a pheromone which will attract other wasps. Only female wasps can sting and it is used as a way of defence. They can sting multiple times, unlike a bee that can only sting once. The two main species of wasp in the UK are Vespula vulgaris and Vespula germanica. The Queen wasps come out of hibernation, usually in early April to commence nest building. When the first batch of eggs hatch out and pupate into wasps, these will then support the Queen by bringing back food and continuing the nest building, allowing...
Read MoreWASPS ARE VERY CLEVER!
The wasp season is certainly upon us and it is VERY busy! When selecting a nest site, the queen wasp can be very inventive and take advantage of whatever locations take her fancy. It might be where she has been hibernating over the winter in a cosy shed. Where there is plenty of room to expand in a dry environment, perfect for producing more wasps. Outside may be a better option, how about under the eaves of a house ? Or maybe putting a wasp nest in a shrub in the garden? Or how about building inside a hedge?...
Read MoreWasps – The basics
Wasps are not considered as a public health risk, but if a wasps nest is found in or around your property or garden, then I am sure you will disagree! If a nest is disturbed in any way, either by human or animal interference, then wasps will sting and will protect their nest vigorously, attacking anything within a suitable distance. The effects of a wasps’ sting can vary from person to person, ranging from being painful, to being very serious, especially if the person stung suffers an attack of Anaphylaxis, this is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to a trigger such as an...
Read MoreNew Year Resolutions!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We are all guilty of making New Year’s resolutions, but how many of us actually carry them out? One important one that you may never think of at the time, should be pest control and in particular – pest proofing! It is easy to dismiss the thought straight away, but if you stop and think for a minute, no doubt you can recall a problem pest from the past and all the aggravation that came with it. Time spent now carrying out simple proofing techniques could save hours of grief and money in the New Year to come. When packing up the Christmas decorations, make sure they are secure...
Read MoreSPOTLIGHT ON FERNDOWN – DORSET
Ferndown in Dorset is located north of Poole and Bournemouth and the parish includes Hampreston, Longham, Stapehill and Tricketts Cross and in terms of population, is the fifth largest town in Dorset. The town is surrounded by a mix of woodlands, open countryside and heathlands and on the borders are the Moors river and the river Stour. It also has one of the largest industrial estates in the area which is still being expanded. Several golf courses and various other sporting facilities exist along with several schools and a central shopping area. There are lots of open spaces where nature...
Read MoreWasps And Wasps Nests
The heatwave has certainly triggered a flurry of activity, not least concerning wasps. The calls for bee swarms are still happening, but general wasp activity has really accelerated, with many properties reporting unwanted invasions from wasps. It does not matter if the property is a house, bungalow, shed or even a caravan. A wasps nest can be found wherever the conditions are suitable for the queen wasp to set up home and build the initial nest. If a ground location is chosen, then once the nest goes into full production, a lot of soil excavation will take place to keep track of the...
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