Wasps – they are nasty little buggers.

Their stings can be fatal to people with allergies, they deprive native birds of food, and they're believed to cost New Zealand's primary industries, mainly beekeepers, at least $10 million a year.

The German Wasp (Vespula germanica) was first found near Hamilton in 1945, while the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) has been in New Zealand since 1978. Photo: WRC

With summer just around the corner, the Waikato Regional Council is urging people to look out for pest wasps and to use safe ways to tackle then if they establish nests on private properties.

Biosecurity officer Chris Monk says last summer wasp were very prevalent throughout the entire region.

'Some say the wasp problem in New Zealand is the worst in the world. They have an abundance of food here and no real natural competitors and predators.”

To keep wasp numbers under control, Waikato's regional pest management plan requires landowners to control a variety of wasps on their property if a complaint is received.

KNOW YOUR WASPS

The Asian Paper Wasp (Polistes chinensis). Photo: Landcare Research

Australian (Polistes humilis)and Asian (Polistes chinensis)Paper wasps are thin with long dangly legs and make small honey combed style nests on vegetation and around the house.

While the German and common wasps are short and stocky with yellow and black colourations and most commonly nest in the ground.

'Wasps will most often search for food near their nest, so if you can kill all the nests within 200 metres of a problem area you should significantly reduce their numbers. We advise carrying out wasp control at night – or twilight on cool days – when they are generally inactive,” says Chris

The Australian Paper Wasp (Polistes humilis). Photo: Landcare Research

GOT A WASP PROBLEM?

Chris absolutely stresses that anyone who is allergic to wasps or unsure of controlling them should avoid trying to destroy nests themselves and look in the yellow pages for professional help.

Paper wasps can be dealt with by spraying with household fly spray. The nest can then be removed by snipping it off into a bag, sealing it up and then either burning it or placing it into the rubbish.

But German and common wasp nests can be difficult to locate and are more tricky to get rid of.

You can use wasp traps, Permex Dust and Vespex wasp bait and lure. Suitable insecticides are available from hardware or garden shops - just follow the directions on the container.

The council contributes funding to a biological control programme run by Landcare Research looking for effective biological control agents for German and common wasps. The aim is to provide long terms solutions to the nation's wasp issues.

For more information and advice contact the Waikato Regional Council's biosecurity team on 0800 800 401 or visit www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/wasps

The Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris). Photo: Landcare Research