New zealand has some of the highest densities of german and common wasps in the world.
Wasps in roof nz.
The common species of wasp in new zealand include.
However there are four introduced species of social wasps established.
Nests are usually built in sheltered spots with easy access to the outside.
This is the type that people should be concerned about.
But five social species of wasps have been accidentally introduced since the 1940s and are classed as pests german and common wasps and three species of paper wasp.
It is best to treat a nest earlier in the year before numbers increase and the wasps become more aggressive increasing the threat of stings during treatment.
Edwards said no one knows how paper wasps arrived in new zealand but it was thought they were introduced through freight ships.
The common vespulid wasp vespula vulgaris the german vespulid wasp vespula germanica the asian paper wasp polistes chinensis the australian paper wasp polistes humilis the solitary wasps ichneumon wasps and ancistrocerus gazella recently the european paper wasp polistes dominula has been found in the north of the south island.
New zealand has some of the highest densities of social wasps in the world there are very few natural predators here and our winters are mild and food is plentiful making our country the perfect place for wasps to flourish.
There are no native social wasps in new zealand a very unusual situation compared with other parts of the world.
They build nests from wood scrapings paper and cardboard and are commonly found in walls roof spaces hedges attics trees and even underground.
Wasps have the potential to attack in large numbers if their nest is disturbed.
The wasps simply moved their entrance to just beyond the obstructing board of timber and carried on flying in more nest building material.
Asian paper wasps arrived in the late 1970s with australian paper.
They can now be controlled using vespex a targeted wasp bait.
Wasps on the other hand come in two types.
Paper wasps nests are likely to be located hanging from a nest stalk from.
Arrival in new zealand.
Under your house or in the roof space.
Two introduced species of paper wasps polistes and two vespula species the german wasp vespula germanica is native to europe and northern africa.
Social and solitary wasps.
Chewed wood mixed with saliva makes the best papier.
To locate a nest carefully watch the flight path of the returning wasps this becomes easier later in the summer as the numbers of wasps increase.
You can often find wasp nests in wall cavities roof spaces under eaves in bird boxes sheds or garages.
