Britain braced for massive wasp invasion
Swarms of wasps are set to invade Britain this summer because of the mild spring weather, experts are warning.
The warm spring, which followed a relatively cold winter, have combined to create perfect conditions for wasps. And with weather forecasters predicting warmer than average weather for the rest of May and June, a huge rise in the number of nests is foreseen.
According to figures from the British Pest Control Association, problems with wasps increased by 87 per cent last year, and are set to increase even more in 2015.
Speaking to the Exeter Express and Echo, pest control expert Rob Simpson from BASIS PROMPT said: "The annual wasp population in the UK is very much dependent on weather conditions.
"Colder winters often mean there are more wasps around the following summer as mated queens spend the period deep in hibernation.
"This year, temperatures were relatively cold during the winter and have so far been warm in spring, so we're expecting our members to receive a deluge of calls."
He added that nests were likely to be larger too, with mature nests containing thousands of wasps.,
Last November, a wasp nest containing around 350,000 wasps was discovered in a camper van, while in Florida one nest was discovered to house more than one million of the insects.
So what's the best way to avoid being stung? These three tips will help.
1 First and foremost, don't get into a flap when they're around - this will agitate them and make them far more likely to sting. Stay calm and slowly walk away.
2. Never disturb a wasp's nest. They look like papery tunnels (see above) and if you go near it you are asking for trouble. Wasps will defend their territory to death.
3. Wasps are attracted to the colours yellow and white. They also love sweet food and drink, and are lured by lights in the early evening. Makes sense to avoid all these things.
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