Though they may look similar, wasps are far less popular than bees. But let’s not underestimate their value – wasps are equally as essential for the environment.

They are excellent predators for other crop-damaging insect pests such as caterpillars, spiders, flies and aphids. This means that wasps play a crucial role in helping to protect our crops and the agricultural industry.

Like bees, wasps also act as pollinators for plants to help maintain our ecosystem. This is very useful as they can step in when there are no bees around.

Some wasp species are known to be very generous by sharing their nests with other insects such as hover flies.

There are three main types of wasps found everywhere in Australia. They are generally more active in warmer weather.

Paper wasps

Growing up to a length of 2.5cm, paper wasps have brown wings and a black abdomen with yellow/orange bands, though some are yellow/brown.
They build smaller nests shaped like inverted cones consisting of hexagonal cells made of saliva mixed with wood fragments, which gives them a paper-like consistency and appearance. These nests hang by a stalk underneath eaves and tree branches and hold a maximum of 100-200 wasps.

Mud daubers

Named for their tendency to collect water and mud for their nests, mud daubers or mud wasps come in different sizes with black and orange colouring.
You’ll find their nests attached to walls and ceilings and overhanging rocks in less frequented areas.
These nests are small and divided into individual cells fashioned from mud. Mud daubers put paralysed spiders inside each cell as a food source before laying an egg and sealing off the cell.

European wasps

Considered a pest and more aggressive than native wasps, European wasps are 1-1.5cm in length with a bright yellow body and legs and black triangle-shaped markings.
As an introduced species, European wasps don’t have any natural predators in Australia to keep their population under control.
Their nests can house up to 100,000 wasps and are usually buried underground, with only the opening hole visible.
European wasp nests are oval-shaped and made up of multiple cells arranged in a honeycomb-like configuration.
These nests are covered by a material resembling paper mache or egg cartons, which is the result of chewed wood pulp mixed with saliva.
They fly in a straight line from their food source back to their nest and have a range of 50-250m.

Pay close attention to the following clues and stay alert to a potential infestation in your home or business:

You notice a large number of active wasps

If you see wasps swarming around a particular area, this is a sign that there may be a nest nearby.

You come across a wasp nest

Look for wasp nests in roof and wall cavities, trees, garages, bird boxes and underneath eaves. They are usually tucked away in sheltered areas but still easy to access. Some nests are located underground or within compost heaps, so don’t forget to check outside.

You see damaged wooden structures

Wasps often use chewed wood to make nests, so pay attention to signs of stripped wooden beams, furniture, fencing, firewood and trees.

They’re noisy

Similar to bees, wasps emit a tell-tale buzzing sound when flapping their wings together during flight. This means that a large swarm will create a pretty loud and constant distraction.
If you have wasps building a nest inside your wall or roof space, you may also hear a tapping noise.

Identify and seal off entry points to your home

Cover all small openings, gaps, cracks and crevices that permit wasps to crawl inside your roof space or wall void. Consider window and door screens for extra protection.

Maintain your yard regularly

Trim and check tree branches for wasp nests. Keep lawns tidy and mowed, and remove food scraps and fallen fruit.

Remove food sources

If you’re hosting an outdoor event, keep food and drinks covered where possible. Cover pet food and water bowls that are not in use. Seal and secure rubbish bins and compost heaps.

Remove or repair damaged or decayed wood

Many wasps build their nests by stripping and chewing wood they find in your yard.

For most of us, experiencing a swarm of wasps can be very stressful. There’s no need to panic though, because at Allstate, we’ve successfully treated wasp outbreaks since 1986. No matter where you are in metropolitan Adelaide, we have a 24/7 wasp emergency callout service that you can count on.

From residential to commercial and industrial settings, our experienced team is highly trained and fully equipped to ensure the safe handling of wasps. We use innovative, modern solutions and targeted treatments to keep your home or business safe from wasps for years to come. All the treatments that we use are are non-toxic to children, pets and the environment.

With a six-month warranty on our wasp removal service, as well as payment plans and a money-back satisfaction guarantee, you won’t need to delay any urgent treatment. Contact Allstate today to prevente wasps from your home or business for good.