About European Wasp
Their environmental impacts can be significant. European wasps require very large quantities of protein such as insects, to feed and rear their brood.
The recorded maximum annual collection of prey by a single, overwintered nest in New Zealand was 99kg, which consisted of flies, together with honey bees, moths, spiders and bird remains. The weight of prey is approximately equivalent to 3.5 million blowflies.
Where there is a high density of nests, European wasps can destroy virtually all insect life in a local area, which then leads to the disappearance of insectivorous birds. Researchers have observed in parts of Tasmania, Australia, where the wasps had cleared out all other insect life, they were preying cannibalistically on each other. In fragile ecosystem, the presence of European wasps can lead to the loss of insect pollinators of rare or endangered flora.
Each new hive can produce 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.
Nesting Locations
European wasps are found in large communal nests, normally only visible as a small entrance hole. 80% are built underground but they can occur within wall cavities, ceilings, logs or trees.
Breeding behaviors
Towards the end of summer, a new generation of queens develop (up to 1,500 for each nest). Males also develop, and mate with the queens outside the nest before the males die. In late autumn the original queen dies, and the new queens disperse to find suitable over-wintering sites before forming a new nest in spring.
In Europe the old nest then disintegrates with the extreamily cold winters and the dispersed queens hibernate in sheltered spots beneath loose tree bark or in roofs. A hibernating queen holds on to the substrate with her jaws, and tucks her legs, wings and antennae beneath her, remaining immobile for up to six months.
In Australia, particularly in the warmer climates, nests can continue with one of new queens staying in the nest and begin laying eggs, without the usual over-wintering period being observed. Over several seasons, this can result in giant and dangerous nests of over 100,000 wasps. Individual wasps are known to hibernate during winter under tree bark, among dead leaves, in wood piles and building materials if they are caught away from their hive when temperatures drop. Always wear gloves when handling these materials during autumn, winter and early spring. Individual wasps are usually very docile in winter while hibernating and are easier to kill in this state using a stick or club.
1. Spring Emergence: In spring, European wasp queens emerge from hibernation. These queens are larger than workers (up to 20mm long) and are responsible for establishing new colonies. They begin by constructing small paper nests made from chewed wood fibre in sheltered locations such as tree hollows, wall cavities, or underground burrows.
2. Colony Establishment: Once the nest is established, the queen lays eggs that hatch into sterile female workers. These workers take on the tasks of foraging for food, caring for the queen and developing larvae, and foraging for wood fibres and water to make the papery material they use to construct and expand the nest.
3. Summer Activity: As summer progresses, European wasp colonies reach their peak activity. Worker wasps scavenge for food sources rich in sugars and proteins, such as ripe fruits, carrion, and sugary substances like nectar and soft drinks. This is the season when interactions with humans often increase as wasps search for food near outdoor gatherings and picnic areas. The foragers which are attracted to meat don’t feed on it themselves, but cut out chunks take back to the nest to feed the developing larvae.
4. Reproductive Phase: During late summer and autumn, the colony’s focus shifts from worker production to the production of reproductive individuals. Male wasps and new queens are produced. Mating occurs, and fertilized queens seek out suitable overwintering sites, under bark or inside crevices to hibernate until the following spring, completing the lifecycle.
Queen European Wasps hibernate during winter - under bark, wood piles, anywhere warm
Identify European Wasp
Look for these distinctive characteristics. The European wasp has distinct behaviours among wasp species and other insects in Australia, which make it easier to identify.
Black feelers/antennae
(similar looking paper wasps have orange/yellow antennae)
Wasps flying with raised legs
(all other wasps dangle their legs)
Wasps flying in and out of a single hole in the ground
(90% of nests are hidden underground)
Wasps scavenging on pet food
Wasps scavenging on human food and drinks
Preventing European Wasp Activity
Prevention can include simple things such as:
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 barbeques
Don't drink out of cans or bottles, use clear containers or a straw.
Sealing any holes in building walls.
Did you know that...
European wasps are opportunistic predators and scavengers, eating dead animals, live insects, fruits, processed human and pet food (particularly meat and fish based food) and garbage. They are also attracted to sugars found in fruit and drinks.
European wasps make numerous trips between the location of the food source and the nest.
Further Information