Queen Wasps
In Pests
Queen Wasps
As spring approaches the new Queen wasps now begin to emerge from their over wintering nests in search of a site to build their own colony nest. Wasps are classified as members of the order Hymenoptera. This means “membraneous wings”; all stinging insects belong to this group. In the UK, we mainly get common wasps (Vespula vulgaris) and German wasps (Vespula germanica). Both species are yellow and black striped, and have painful stings that can cause allergic reactions.
The queen wasp, larger than the workers, emerges from her hibernation in the spring and builds a nest 2-3 inches in diameter. Made from chewed wood pulp obtained from dead trees, fences, etc. This nest will contain a small number of cells which the queen lays her eggs in. The eggs hatch into larvae and are fed by the queen fragments of insects. After pupation workers (sterile females) emerge and take over the running of the nest for the queen who devotes the rest of her life to egg laying. By late June to early July the nest will have grown considerably and at its peak, can contain upwards of 10-15,000 wasps.
Towards the end of the summer, special larger cells are constructed to provide drones and queens for the next season. In these are reared male drones and fertile queens. They fly outside and mate often with drones/queens from other nests. The drones, workers & original Queen die off with the approach of colder weather, the new queens seek out sites for hibernation. It is not hibernation as in the mammal sense as this can take place as early as September when the weather is still quite warm.
Comparison of size of wasps from a typical nest found in the UK
PESTUK
PESTUK are full members of the BPCA, the governing body for pest control in the UK. Using a BPCA member company ensures you have a qualified, fully insured company treating your pest problem.
PESTUK have offices in Balham, Oxford, Guildford, Enfield, Potters Bar, Reading, Shepperton, Wantage, Salisbury, St Albans, Stevenage and Ware.
Call us on 0330 100 2811 to book an appointment regarding Queen Wasps, or any other pest problem you may have.
