Information about the Common Wasp

Wasps

Image of a common wasp

In the spring, wasps nest in hollows (e.g. in trees) or holes (e.g. in the ground). They may also settle in a loft, garden shed or other building
Typically up to 10,000 worker wasps may live in a nest, but sometimes there may be double this amount
Worker wasps may travel up to 400 metres from their nest
They catch smaller insects and eat them but will also feed off of any sweet substance such as nectar, honey, split-open fruit and any sugary things we leave around. They will also eat a sugary deposit produced by their own larvae
Around September the workers abandon the nest and start a ferocious hunt for food. This is when they are at their most dangerous and can attack with little provocation
The wasp sting fluid is injected into skin through the tubular sting, rather like the action of a syringe
The sting can be very painful and will sometimes lead to an allergic reaction. In rare cases sudden death can occur as a result of anaphylactic shock
Wasps can be controlled by the use of an Insect-o-Cutor fly killer, although destruction of a wasp nest can be dangerous and would be best carried out by a qualified pest control service