You can reduce the population of European wasps around your home and reduce the risk of a stinging incident in several ways:

  • Pick up any fallen fruit or food scraps lying around your property.
  • Feed pets inside the house or after dark outdoors. Avoid leaving uneaten pet food or dog bones outside.
  • Ensure that your outdoor rubbish bins have tight-fitting lids.
  • Cover compost bins.
  • Keep your swimming pool covered when not in use.
  • Cover food during a barbecue or picnic.
  • Don’t leave food, drink, or pet food outside.
  • Don’t drink straight from a can or bottle when outside, as it could contain a wasp – check drink cans or bottles before drinking from them, use clear containers or drink from a straw.
  • Inspect your garden/yard on a weekly basis for possible nests, see eWasp life cycle information on the eWasp website.
  • If you see a European wasp or nest, leave it alone – they will attack if provoked.

Things to remember:

  • Unlike a bee, which can only sting once, the European wasp can sting repeatedly. Around one in 10 people who are stung two or more times become allergic, which means they will experience severe reactions to any subsequent stings.
  • It is strongly recommended that you hire experts to destroy any wasp nests on your property.

 FIRST AID

  • Use a cold pack to reduce swelling and pain.
  • Use pain-relieving medication and creams.
  • If there is evidence of a more severe reaction or the sting victim is known to be allergic to wasp and bee venom, seek immediate medical attention.

Note: European wasp nests in wall cavities can cause hundreds of dollars in damage! Before spring arrives, inspect your property for holes around eaves, windows, and doorways, seal them with no gaps to minimise the risk of European wasp nests being established in your wall cavity.

A downloadable version of this page can be found below:
Precautions against eWasps

Contact
Report all European wasp nests to the eWasp™ Team for data collection and research programs.
eWasp: 0409 970033
eWasp Mobile App available in both the App & Google Play Stores or email info@ewasp.com.au