Wasps

Wasps are a seasonal pest and although they come out of hibernation early in the spring, it will be the end of June before they really get going.

I have made a detailed study of wasps and could fill pages and pages with information about them. For me they are a fascinating insect.

Most people think they have no purpose and only seem to buzz around stinging everything they can. In fact they are the top gun of the flying insects, able to catch flies on the wing by landing on the flies’ backs. They sting to kill their prey and they have a set of jaws that can chew through wood and slice up your ham sandwich with the greatest of ease.

They are very organised and efficient and they have great building skills. If you have been lucky enough to see a wasps’ nest you will know what I mean. Control is fairly simple. All you have to do is walk up to the nest and fill it with insecticide. However, please bear in mind that a full sized wasps’ nest will contain anything between 15 and 25 thousand wasps and there are wasps dedicated to guarding the nest. When people watch me treat a nest they sometimes comment that it looks easy and does not take long. To a point they are right, but I have specialised equipment and sound knowledge of what I am doing and that makes it look easy. I also have a bee keepers’ veil which means if I do miss the first time, I am not vulnerable to two thousand wasps trying to have piece of me. Yes I do get stung sometimes and it is always embarrassing. I have never been stung while treating a nest; it always seems to happen afterwards, mainly when I am standing on your doorstep writing out the invoice, or as I drive off down the road.

Wasps are persistent little things and will lurk in the folds of your clothing for some time before scoring a hit on your flesh. At this point I will jump across your garden, cursing and flailing about trying to locate the little blighter. There is no extra charge for this display unless you post it on You tube!