The European wasp, Vespula germanica, is a native of Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor and is an established pest in Australia. This non-native wasp was first found in Australia in 1959 in Tasmania. By 1978 they were also known in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia, and are now firmly established in all states.

The economic impact from these wasps on primary industries within beekeeping, forestry and horticulture (fruit orchards, vegetables, vineyards) is significant. They have the potential to disrupt native ecosystems by taking food sources away from native species and disturbing the natural food chain. European wasps are known to be territorial therefore place a negative impact on human health.

Each new hive produces over 5,000 wasps.

Every queen wasp caught coming out of hibernation in Spring and early Summer, means 5,000 less wasps produced in the area and up to 1,500 less queens produced at the end of the season!!!…yes 1,500 (not a typo). If you do nothing this season, then expect a massive issue next season.

If you wait until you see many European wasps flying around in late spring (which indicates 1 or more nests have already been created within 200m of your location), then it becomes infinitely harder to reduce or clear out the problem. You are far better off going after as many queens in the area at the start of Spring or even late Winter if the weather starts to warm up early with a few 15 degree days to stop a big part of the problem before it starts. Obviously, ongoing trapping is beneficial as your unlikely to capture all the queens in the area.

Read the other pages to discover how to make the best lures/attractants, traps and finding the hive.