Wasps are out in full force again this summer, keeping pest control services busy over the warmer months.

Cromwell-based Mountain View Cleaning and Pest Control director Steve Churchill said they have fielded a huge amount of inquiries this summer already, “and it’s only going to get worse.”

Warm weather brings out several species, including the Asian Paper Wasp, German/European Wasp, Common Wasp, and Australian Paper Wasp. 

Left untreated, nests can grow quickly and become aggressive, especially around outdoor areas, eaves, and rooflines.

A German honey comb wasp nest. file shot.

Steve said the German Wasp loved protein and could smell meat cooking from kilometres away.

One nest he recently found had 15,000 German wasps inside, and they also gave the worst stings.

The past few winters have been warmer in Central Otago, enabling wasps to survive and keeping the breeding cycle continuing.

A beekeeper by trade, he said interestingly this season they haven’t seen as many German Wasps, with Asian Paper Wasps making up 90% of their work.

He said they had been fielding up to five phone calls a day about wasps since Spring, and his team of 18 was available 24/7 right through Christmas and New Year for anybody needing help getting rid of them.

Wasps have more of a menacing and aggressive appearance compared to the humble honey bee, predominantly with a bright yellow body and either black stripes or black dots. 

Burton Creek picnic area near the Clyde Rowing Club has been particularly bad the past few summers, causing some people to abandon their barbecues and head home.

Burton Creek is owned by Contact Energy and head of hydro Boyd Brinsden said together with the Central Otago District Council, who own the rubbish bins, they are monitoring the area, and encourage any members of the public concerned about wasp nests to get in touch with info@codc.govt.nz