A to Z of Pests
Social Wasps
Family: Vespidae, e.g. Vespula vulgaris
Appearance
- Yellow and black abdomen. Markings will differ according to species.
Lifecycle
- Young Queens overwinter and emerge in the spring to start nest building and lay eggs.
- Workers (sterile females) emerge during early summer and take over nest building. Queen continues to lay eggs.
- New queens and males mate in early autumn.
- Nest dies during winter, including all the males and workers. Only Queens survive to the next year.
Habits
- Colony size — medium to large (up to as many as 25,000 individuals).
- Preferred nest sites — lofts, wall cavities, old rodent burrows, hollow trees and bushes.
- Nest construction — pulped wood (paper). Combs set horizontally. A new nest is produced each year.
- Swarming — does not swarm.
- Food preferences — Will take insects and sweet foods.
- Stings readily and repeatedly.
Seasonal Pest
Our featured pest is the House Fly.
Find out more
Pests by Name
Know the pest youre after?
Find it here
Get the Business Perspective
Services For You
