Wasps

Wasps

Wasp Control & Nest Removal

New Zealand has some of the highest densities of German and common wasps in the world. Introduced wasps harm our native birds and insects, and their stings can cause allergic reactions in some people. PPS provides professional wasp control and wasp nest removal for homes and businesses across the Bay of Plenty and Central North Island.

Our Wasp Control Options

  • Wasp nest destruction
  • Queen wasp baiting (spring/summer)
  • Worker wasp baiting as a distraction (summer/autumn)
  • Wasp nest baiting (end of season, March/April)

Types of Wasps in New Zealand

  • German wasp: Builds a grey/silver nest. German wasps first arrived in New Zealand in the 1940s.
  • Common wasp: Builds a tan/brown nest. Common wasps arrived in the late 1970s and are now widespread.
  • Paper wasp: Builds small nests, about the size of a pear, that often hang from fences and roof peaks.

Wasps are also known as yellowjackets, hornets, Vespula wasps – and, to some, spicy sky raisins!

Common Wasp Nest Locations

Wasps commonly nest in the ground, in pungas, under roof eaves, in stumps or in hedges. German and common wasp nests are usually about the size of a soccer ball, but they can grow much bigger if they survive the winter.

Sometimes Wasps Are Actually Bees!

In this instance, we do our best to catch and rehome the bees with a local beekeeper.

How We Treat a Wasp Nest

  • Locating the nest: First, we need to know where the nest is, so we can treat it directly.
  • Best time to treat: If possible, we treat wasps later in the day, as they’re returning from foraging.
  • After treatment: After we treat it, the nest can become agitated, so it’s best to avoid the area for the rest of the day.
  • Guaranteed results: If activity persists after a couple of days, let us know – our treatment is guaranteed, and we’ll return to re-treat free of charge.

Can’t Find the Nest?

If wasps are just foraging on a food source such as a tree or bush, this may not be a nest – but there may be one nearby. You can try to follow foraging wasps back to find the nest. This works best later in the afternoon, as they’re all heading back to the nest for the night.

Unwanted Guests? Call PPS!
Frequently Asked Questions

Watch where wasps are flying to and from, ideally later in the afternoon as they head back to the nest for the night. If wasps are just feeding on a tree or bush, the nest may be nearby rather than right there.

Later in the day is best, as the wasps are returning from foraging. This means more of the colony is at the nest when we treat it.

The nest can become agitated after treatment, so avoid the area for the rest of the day. If activity persists after a couple of days, let us know – our treatment is guaranteed, and we’ll return to re-treat free of charge.

Sometimes wasps turn out to be bees! In this instance, we do our best to catch and rehome the bees with a local beekeeper.

Wasp venom contains several toxins that can cause a hypersensitive or allergic reaction in some people. If you or someone else has a severe reaction to a sting, seek medical help immediately.
Have more questions?