Wasp Menace Still Spreading; Pest For Housewives If Unchecked

Chronicle (Levin), 12 January 1949, Page 4

Wasp Menace Still Spreading; Pest For Housewives If Unchecked

Wasps, which. first appeared in the Waikato in the summer of 1944-45, have gradually moved south and are now almost to, if not into the Manawatu. Entomologists do not doubt that the pest will establish itself here eventually. However, they do not expect a sudden invasion. They explain that it may be years after the wasps first appear when they reach the numerical proportions that will constitute a menace. Meanwhile, every known scientifie method of control will have been investigated.

Although aut'horities agree ' that the wasps will be a serious problem in this district when they do arrive, they point out that it may be some years before the pests begin to spread.-- At present they icannot predict how wrdespread the invasion will become, as several 'factors play a part in controlling it. Much useful work . in erradicating wasps has already been done in other parts, and the Department of Agriculture in Auck- ' land is watching the position closely. Whether the wasp will rival the house-fly as the main household pest in the summer months is a matter for conjecture. It is possible that the wasp will not be'a greater nuisance than any other insect that invades homes at this time of the year. The danger which it presents to human bein'gs is reduced by the fact that it a,ttacks only when molested. On the other hand, it is more persistent than similar insects. Large numbers of wasps have been known to inter-

fere with jam-making in some Waikato homes to sueh an extent that housewives have been forced to delay ,the task until the late evening. Scientists agree that wasps are' primarily a household problem. If they were no.t attracted by sweet food the nuisance would be largely reduced. This characteristic also makes them the bane of orchardists, particularly where small fruits are concerned. Beekeepers, too, have to take care that ^ the marauders do not rob their bees of their honey. The particular wasp which is spreading from the Waikato is the European species Vespa germanica. It is larger than the common bee and is distinguished hy its yellow and black markings. Useful work in controlling the pest can be done by the public watching for nests, which appear in the ground," • and destroying them. Prompt action Qf this sort will guard against a wasp colony arising here in years to come.