Questions & answers about wasp nests
Pat asked:
Can you help us..... In the last 2 days 4 queen wasps have appeared in our bedroom. Are we likely to see more and where can they have come from. 2 were on my pillow, particularly worrying as I am allergic to wasp stings.
Paul Sweet replied:
Hi Pat, there is not much you can do about it. These are queens which are emerging from hibernation, or they are investigating places to nest and are finding their way into your room. Perhaps through an open window? If you had a nest close by last summer, these queens hibernated in your loft and now waking are getting into your room via a hole somewhere? If this is the case, they will cease pretty quickly as they need to get out to feed before they find somewhere to nest. If I were you, I would investigate to see any potential areas where they could be getting into the room via the loft space. If you find a likely area, tape it up with packing/duct tape to prevent them from finding their way in. Light from a window or house lights will entice them out from a dark loft. Downlights are even worse as they shine into the loft area as well as down into the room. I hope this helps.
Fran asked:
Hi Paul. It\'s me again. Just an update on my hornet problem. Well, one of the European hornets made it\'s way to the front porch in the daytime & stung grannie on the finger so I made the decision to call my exterminator. He killed the nest with Delta Dust using a long handled sprayer. I have found Delta Dust on the internet to purchase ,but, i cannot find a long handled sprayer anywhere. Any ideas as to where I might be able to locate one so I can do it myself next time?
Paul Sweet replied:
Hi Fran, we recommend that people have nests treated by a professional using professional products.
Peter asked:
We have a bathroom mirror that we can illuminate. Each morning after switching the mirror on wasps appear from behind it. I removed the mirror and put powder down the hole where the wiring goes and refitted mirror but the wasps are still appearing each morning. As it is a cavity wall the nest could be anywhere! Any suggestions?
Paul Sweet replied:
Hi Peter, obviously the light or light from the bathroom is attracting them through the hole where the wiring comes through the wall. A couple of suggestions: 1. Have the nest appropriately treated. 2. You could try blocking the hole as best as you can with packing tape (this will prevent them from getting into the bathroom but will not kill the nest).