Queen Wasp

[demicav]

I have a problem with a Queen Wasp! The other day, first thing in the morning, there was a queen wasp in my daughters bedroom at the back of the house. I relocated it a few mile away near some woods so unless it has a built in sat nav I doubt it would make it back. The morning after there was another queen wasp in my daughters bedroom which made its own way out of the window. This morning there was another big one in my sons room which is at the front of the house and just now I've had to shut the back kitchen window very quickly as there was one trying to get in there. I'm allergic to Wasp venom and they're so big they're a little scary to my children too. They're definitely the Queen.

I have two questions, Is it normal to have so many Queens in a small area ? and Why do they seem intent on gaining access to the house ?. It's too hot to close the windows so it's becoming a real problem HELP!

[demicav]

Forgot to add on, we have wooden window frames and quite a lot of wood round about such as the shed ect. Maybe they're attracted to this sort of thing. Last year I could literally hear the workers biting the wood off the shed.

[haematocephalus]

Originally Posted by demicav

I have two questions, Is it normal to have so many Queens in a small area ?

Yes! My house, and the office I work in, also have lots of queen wasps cruising round and coming in through the windows at the moment.

and Why do they seem intent on gaining access to the house ?

They're looking for nest sites, and they nest in cavities, so the eaves and lofts of houses are fine for them. While searching for such places they often make their way in through the windows, and are usually in no hurry to get out again.

You should find that the numbers will dwindle again soon, but watch out for any evidence of a nest (they're unlikely to build a nest in the living space of the house, but could do in the loft or a porch etc.).

The ones you see chewing on wood are collecting material to build their nest (the nest can be some distance away from where they collect the wood).

With children around, and especially if you are allergic to the stings, I would have thought that you'd want to destroy any nests that are actually in your house, and would recommend that you get a professional pest-controller in if a nest does appear (your local council should be able to put you in touch with one).

Martin


Martin Harvey

[demicav]

Thanks for the reply. There definately seems to be an increase in the numbers this year. Who knows, this could be the year for Wasps.

[galanthus]

I'm allergic to wasps too, have seen a few very large ones this year so far, however, biggest shock was sitting down in a bird hide this afternoon, (day off work ) and hearing a buzzing noise, looked up and above my head was a small nest

Have never moved so quickly in life, even partner was gone in record time