06/08/2026
🐝 Have you noticed the wasps becoming more of a nuisance recently?
🐝 We’re likely to see a lot more of them around this year.
🐝 The warm weather we’ve had means the queens wake earlier and start nesting sooner which gives the colonies more time to grow resulting in larger populations.
🐝 Wasps are more active in warm conditions and hot summers mean faster egg-laying, more workers and bigger colonies.
🐝 Warm weather also boost insect number which are a key food source for wasps.
🐝 You’ll see more wasps around in August and September when the workers switch from hunting insects to seeking food elsewhere (ie our drinks and food).
🐝 Here’s what you can do to reduce numbers where you are:
- Cover bins and compost
- Keep sugary drinks and food sealed when you’re outdoors
- Don’t swat – this releases a pheromone that can alert other wasps
🔺If your child gets stung:
• put an ice pack wrapped in a cloth, or a clean cloth soaked in cold water, on the bite or sting for at least 20 minutes if it’s swollen
• keep the area raised if you can
• take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if the sting is painful
• use antihistamines to relieve any itching
• use a hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching and swelling (ask a pharmacist for advice)
• Watch for signs of a serious allergic reaction
