As autumn brings in cooler weather across the region, many are keen to enjoy the outdoors, but a new seasonal challenge has emerged.
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While wasps have long been a familiar pest in Australia, their recent surge in numbers has caught many off guard.
Greater Shepparton City Council has officially recognised the increasing reports of wasps swarming in public areas.
“Council has observed an increase in wasp activity across our public open spaces since January, with our customer service team receiving regular reports from the community about nest locations and incidents of bites,” council director infrastructure Gary Randhawa said.
“We are seeing nests primarily around toilet blocks, under playground equipment, near bins and park furniture.
“Particularly in irrigated areas or locations close to water, as these conditions provide ideal environments for mud wasps to build their nests.
“For smaller nests, council staff are equipped with long-range sprays to manage them, but larger nests require the assistance of pest control professionals.
“It’s also important to note that wasp populations, like most insect species, typically peak in late summer and early autumn as their colonies expand.”
European wasps are aggressive when provoked and an individual wasp can sting multiple times.
To keep everyone wasp-free this season, Tatura-based Pestology Pest Control warns locals to take extra precautions.
“Over the last two years, wasp activity has increased markedly in Victoria and NSW,” Pestology Pest Control manager Damian Doller said.
“This is due to the favourable weather conditions and the fact that many introduced wasp species, mainly the European wasps, have no natural predators.
“We are receiving calls every day from concerned homeowners and local councils that are experiencing increased wasp activity.
“Most people report that they have either found nests around their house, or that they have wasps hanging around their bins or gutters — others unexpectedly disturb the nests and get stung.”
“The safest option for homeowners is to contact a licensed pest controller.
“The pest controller will locate the nest, or nests in the surrounding area, and eradicate them using an insecticide designed for the purpose.”
Pestology Pest Control offers the following advice for people experiencing a wasp problem:
Do not leave fallen fruit or food scraps lying around the yard
Avoid leaving uneaten pet food or dog bones outside
Make sure rubbish bins have tight-fitting lids
Keep compost covered at all times
Keep swimming pools covered when not in use
Cover exposed food at picnics and barbecues
Don’t drink out of cans or bottles — use clear containers or a straw
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