Latin: Vespula vulgaris
Wasps are one of the pests that the vast majority would like to get rid of quickly and permanently. Although wasps do not thrive as much as other pests, their stings can be very painful and potentially deadly if one is allergic. In addition, wasps are particularly inconvenient for the food industry, as they eat baked goods and fruit, which subsequently cannot be sold. In addition, wasps also eat insects such as flies, making them an important part of the circle of the nature.
One wasp rarely comes alone, and one can typically trace it back to a larger nest. Where this wasp’s nest is found depends on the individual species, as some species will prefer to build their nest high up in trees or on ceilings, while others will prefer spaces in the ground. No matter where they live, however, they can be problematic, but there are certain steps one must take before attempting to get rid of them.
Appearance
Most often, a wasp is conversationally called just a wasp, but there is a difference. The word “wasp” can also refer to several different animals. In Denmark alone you can find seven different wasps, which of course all have similar characteristics.
These characteristics are the black and yellow stripes, the elongated body, six legs, two wings and large eyes. There is a sting on the back of the body, and it is with this sting that wasps stick. Although wasps are considered to be very aggressive, they only sting as a last resort. Wasps are relatively small animals. The larger wasp vespa crabro grows to a maximum of 2.5 cm long, but the typical size for smaller species is 1.2 to 1.4 cm. The worker wasps are typically between 11-15 mm long. The queen is somewhat larger and can grow between 14-19 mm long.
Biology and behavior
Wasps are significantly more aggressive than honeybees in their behavior. You will typically be able to both see and hear the wasp before it stings. Even if you do not see or hear the wasp before it stings, you typically notice it the moment you are stung. A wasp sting is one of the more painful stings that you can experience in Denmark. This is because, venom from a wasps are related to venom from a snake.
A wasp nest can become very large and contain thousands of individuals all created by just one queen. The nest is only used for one summer and only the newly hatched fertilized queens survive the winter. Next spring, they fly out, creating their own nest.
Damage
Wasps can be a danger to humans. Pay special attention and seek medical attention quickly if the sting is in the mouth or throat, as the affected area may swell. If the mucous membranes in the throat swell, this can lead to difficulty breathing. If a person experiences dizziness and nausea shortly after being stung by a wasps, seek medical attention immediately. Discomfort after a wasp’s bite can be a sign of hypersensitivity to one or more of the substances in the wasp’s venom, which can be dangerous.
Prevention and pest control
Although many Danes would prefer to be able to get rid of wasps quickly, they are unfortunately very useful for nature. Therefore, one must be careful about how aggressive one is in getting rid of wasps.
In addition, one must also consider his timing. A wasp’s nest dies during the autumn, as their life cycle is only one year long. Therefore, if you find a nest in late summer, it can sometimes pay better just to wait for nature to take its course.
If you want to get rid of a wasp’s nest, you should wait until the evening, when they will be calmer, and everyone will be in the nest. Depending on where the estate is located, there are different approaches. Free-hanging nest can be sprayed with insect spray. One simply sprays right up the entrance hole, which will typically be found at the bottom of the nest. After 10-15 minutes, the wasps in the nest are paralyzed and you can remove the nest. You can instead use insect powder for a hidden nest. You simply powder the entrance hole, and the wasps will then transport the powder around themselves. This method may take a few days.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)