European Wasp Nest: Signs, Risks and What to Do

If you think you have bees and not wasps, read our guide to bee removal and relocation. Where we can, we connect bee swarms with local beekeepers instead of destroying them.

1. When are European wasps most active?

The season follows a pattern:

1. Spring (September to November): Queens come out of hibernation and look for a nest site. Each queen starts a small nest alone.
2. Early summer: The first workers hatch and take over building. The nest starts to grow fast.
3. Late summer and autumn: The colony is at its largest. This is when most people get stung, because there are thousands of workers and they are hungry for protein and sugar.
4. Late autumn: New queens leave to mate and find a place to hibernate. The old queen dies.

That is why spring is the best time to deal with a nest. It is smaller, easier to reach and less dangerous to treat.

Where are European wasps found in Australia?

European wasps are established across the southern states. We service nests in:

• Victoria, including Melbourne: see our Victoria pest control locations
• South Australia, including Adelaide: see our South Australia locations
• New South Wales, including Sydney and the Southern Highlands: see our NSW locations
• Western Australia, including Perth
• The ACT, including Canberra, where residents are also asked to report nests through the eWasp program

Wasp activity can vary by suburb. A nest near a creek, a park or a rubbish bin storage area is more likely than one in a bare, paved yard.

Can European wasps sting more than once?

Yes. Unlike a honey bee, a European wasp does not lose its sting after one use. It can sting again and again, and it can call other wasps to the area if the nest is disturbed.

Most stings cause sharp pain, redness and swelling that settles in a day or two. A small number of people have a serious allergic reaction. Health authorities say about 2 in 100 stings from ants, bees and wasps cause one. Signs include noisy breathing, a swollen tongue or throat, dizziness and collapse.

First aid for a wasp sting

• Move away from the nest straight away.
• If a stinger is left in the skin, scrape it out sideways with a credit card or fingernail. Do not use tweezers.
• Wash the area with soap and water.
• Put a cold pack or ice wrapped in a cloth on the sting to ease pain and swelling.
• Watch the person for 30 minutes or more.

Call 000 straight away if there is trouble breathing, a swollen face, lips, tongue or throat, wheezing, dizziness or collapse. If the person has an adrenaline autoinjector, use it first, then call 000. For advice on any other sting, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or speak to your doctor.

Are European wasps protected in Australia?

No. European wasps are an introduced pest, and they are not protected. They harm native insects and other wildlife as well as people and pets. Removing a nest is allowed and in many areas is encouraged.

Why can't I spray a wasp nest myself?

This is the most common question we get, and the answer is simple. DIY sprays rarely work, and they often make things worse.

• The queen is deep inside. A spray from a can usually does not reach her. If she survives, the nest rebuilds.
• A threatened nest attacks. Hundreds of wasps can come out at once, and some will chase you.
• Blocked entrances move the problem. If you cover the hole, wasps chew another way out, and that can be through plasterboard and into your living room.
• Water and fuel are dangerous. Pouring petrol or boiling water on a nest is a fire risk and does not reach the whole colony.
• Nests are bigger than they look. A hole in the lawn might lead to a nest the size of a basketball.

A licensed technician has the right protective gear and uses professional products applied at the nest entrance, so the treatment travels through the colony. Read more about how our wasp nest removal service works.

What to do if you find a European wasp nest

1. Stay back. Keep children and pets away from the area.
2. Do not block, spray or disturb the entrance.
3. Mark the spot from a distance. Note where the entrance is so the technician can find it fast.
4. Watch the traffic. Note what time the wasps are busiest and whether any are heading inside your home.
5. Cover food and drink outside. This helps lower the number of wasps near people.
6. Call us. Phone 131 546 and we will put you through to your nearest Jim's technician. Many areas have same-day service. You can also request a free quote online.

What happens when we treat a nest

Here is what you can expect when a Jim's technician visits:

• We find the entrance and check where the nest sits (ground, wall or roof).
• We treat the nest at the source, wearing protective clothing.
• We tell you when it is safe to go back to the area and what to expect over the next few days. You may see a few wasps for a day or two while the colony winds down.
• If the nest is in a wall or roof, we explain what to do about the empty cavity.

Do not worry if you see wasps near the treated area for a short time. That is normal and it settles quickly.

How to stop wasps coming back

You cannot control where a queen lands, but you can make your property less attractive to wasps:

• Keep pet food and water bowls inside, or clean them up after feeding
• Cover bins with tight lids and rinse recycling
• Pick up fallen fruit in the garden
• Cover meat, sweet drinks and cans at BBQs
• Seal gaps in eaves, brickwork and weep holes
• Fill unused burrows and holes in lawns once they are clear
• Check sheds, decks and stored items in spring for early nests
• Place wasp queen traps in spring if your council recommends them

Cafes, pubs and outdoor dining spaces are especially exposed, because food and drink draw wasps in. Our commercial pest control programs include regular checks for these seasonal pests.

Frequently asked questions