Bees and European Wasps

If you find a wasp nest on Council land (e.g. parks, gardens, sportsgrounds, nature strips or Council buildings), and it may be a risk to the public, you should report it by calling (03) 5422 0333 or report the issue online.

European wasps can be a serious nuisance and can pose a safety risk, especially during warmer months.

European wasps love sweet foods and meat – that’s why they show up at barbeques and picnics. Unlike bees, they don’t collect pollen and can sting many times. Their nests can contain thousands of wasps.

If you see lots of wasps flying around your property, there is likely a nest nearby – usually within 50 to 200 metres.

Where to find nests:

• In the ground (holes, tree bases, retaining walls, rockeries)
• In roofs, wall cavities, or under house eaves
• In rubbish piles, tree roots or shrubs

Nests are grey, papery, and often football-sized or larger. The entrance hole is usually 2–5cm wide.

European wasps don’t have natural predators in Australia, and our warmer climate helps them live longer.

Council does not treat nests on private property.

If you find a nest on your property it is recommended you contact a licensed pest controller to treat the nest. If you choose to treat it yourself, you can buy products from hardware stores - just be sure to follow the instructions carefully. 

Deep Green Permaculture and Angelo Eliades have created a graphic summarising the difference between them. 

The City of West Torrens (South Australia) use images to show the difference between the nests of the European Wasp, Mud Wasp and a Paper Wasp nest.

The Victorian Department of Health has more information on wasps and differences between honey bees and native wasps.