Figure 22. Nest being treated with Permethrin powder. Photo courtesy Jenny Conolly and ACT Parks & Conservation Service Flickr
Management and Control of European Wasps
There are three main methods of control, nest eradication, liquid baiting and meat baiting. It is important to understand the feeding preference of the wasps being targeted for baiting are they in a carbohydrate (sweet) or Protein (meat) phase. Monitoring will determine which appropriate control methods are used (Spurr 1996).
The fourth method of control is biological, this is still being researched.
There are three main methods of control, nest eradication, liquid baiting and meat baiting. It is important to understand the feeding preference of the wasps being targeted for baiting are they in a carbohydrate (sweet) or Protein (meat) phase. Monitoring will determine which appropriate control methods are used (Spurr 1996).
The fourth method of control is biological, this is still being researched.
Liquid baits
As European wasp feed on carbohydrates (sweet sources such as nectar's or fruit) (Spurr, 1996) liquid baits are effective to catch wasps, once they enter they cannot escape. This method is useful for controlling numbers of wasps in an area. If wasp activity is minimal, other species such as flies (Diptera) may also be caught (Spurr, 1996).
These liquid baits can be purchased from gardening and hardware stores and mainly used for home-use. These containers come with a 4g European wasp attractant and mixed with water and hung in areas where wasps are foraging and travelling.
As European wasp feed on carbohydrates (sweet sources such as nectar's or fruit) (Spurr, 1996) liquid baits are effective to catch wasps, once they enter they cannot escape. This method is useful for controlling numbers of wasps in an area. If wasp activity is minimal, other species such as flies (Diptera) may also be caught (Spurr, 1996).
These liquid baits can be purchased from gardening and hardware stores and mainly used for home-use. These containers come with a 4g European wasp attractant and mixed with water and hung in areas where wasps are foraging and travelling.
Nest eradication
Nest eradication is the best method of control. This treatment kills all the wasps in the nest (Lefoe et al., 2001, XCSconsulting, 1986, Wood et al., 2006). This method is used by government agencies, pest controllers and by the horticultural and beekeeping industries (Lefoe et al., 2001). Permethrin powder registered for home garden use is applied to the nest site when located. It is recommended only professionals such as pest controllers or people trained in the use of pesticides treat the sites. As the wasps are protective of their nests and once treatment occurs they become aggressive.
Meat Baiting
This method has mixed results. As wasps will not go to baits if there are better food sources available (Wood et al., 2006) (Lefoe et al., 2001); Beggs et. al. 1998). European wasps take protein based food (meats, insects and carrion) back to the nest to feed the pupae (Wood et al., 2006, Lefoe et al., 2001, Spurr, 1996). For this baiting use a sealed contain which is enclosed with a number of small entry holes and a removal removable lid or base so baits can be removed and replaced. Free feeding baits (un-poisoned) are used for three days to determine if wasps are going to take the baits. Poison baits are used. These baits are 20 g meat mixed with recommended dosage of Fipronil as per the permit and label, replace every 2-3 days.
Biological Control
A biological control programme in the late 1980’s. A parasite wasp, Schecophaga vesparum, was imported and tested for host-specificity. They were then reared on mass and distributed. By 1993 over 120,000 dormant cocoons released, to areas of southern Australia (Lefoe et al., 2001). As yet it has yet to be located (Lefoe et al., 2001, Field and Darby, 1991).
Nest eradication is the best method of control. This treatment kills all the wasps in the nest (Lefoe et al., 2001, XCSconsulting, 1986, Wood et al., 2006). This method is used by government agencies, pest controllers and by the horticultural and beekeeping industries (Lefoe et al., 2001). Permethrin powder registered for home garden use is applied to the nest site when located. It is recommended only professionals such as pest controllers or people trained in the use of pesticides treat the sites. As the wasps are protective of their nests and once treatment occurs they become aggressive.
Meat Baiting
This method has mixed results. As wasps will not go to baits if there are better food sources available (Wood et al., 2006) (Lefoe et al., 2001); Beggs et. al. 1998). European wasps take protein based food (meats, insects and carrion) back to the nest to feed the pupae (Wood et al., 2006, Lefoe et al., 2001, Spurr, 1996). For this baiting use a sealed contain which is enclosed with a number of small entry holes and a removal removable lid or base so baits can be removed and replaced. Free feeding baits (un-poisoned) are used for three days to determine if wasps are going to take the baits. Poison baits are used. These baits are 20 g meat mixed with recommended dosage of Fipronil as per the permit and label, replace every 2-3 days.
Biological Control
A biological control programme in the late 1980’s. A parasite wasp, Schecophaga vesparum, was imported and tested for host-specificity. They were then reared on mass and distributed. By 1993 over 120,000 dormant cocoons released, to areas of southern Australia (Lefoe et al., 2001). As yet it has yet to be located (Lefoe et al., 2001, Field and Darby, 1991).