Wasps are winged insects recognisable for their slender body, narrow waist, and often bright yellow and black colours. Wasps are a predatory species, feeding on other insects, and some species are pollinators.
Wasps are considered pests because of their aggressive behaviour, especially in late summer and fall when they search for sweet foods. They can sting multiple times, unlike bees, posing a danger to humans and pets, particularly those allergic to their venom. Wasps also build nests in or around homes, creating safety concerns and potential property damage.
Wasps are typically found in a variety of environments across across Australia, including forests, grasslands, urban areas, and gardens. They prefer to build their nests in sheltered places such as under eaves, in wall cavities, attics, sheds, or underground burrows.
Wasps are often attracted to areas where food is abundant, like outdoor dining areas, garbage bins, and orchards. In warmer months, they are frequently spotted around flowers, as they feed on nectar, but in late summer and fall, they become more aggressive and search for sugary foods and drinks.
You can identify a wasp by its slender body, narrow waist, and smooth, shiny appearance. Wasps often have bright yellow and black stripes, though some species have red, brown, or metallic hues. Their wings are typically long and fold along the body when at rest.
Wasps have slimmer, more elongated bodies with a pronounced narrow waist, while bees are rounder and hairier; wasps also have smooth, shiny bodies, whereas bees are covered in fine hairs.
European Wasps
European wasps are a stout wasp with a bright yellow and black banded abdomen. They have two pairs of wings with the first pair larger than the second. They have black antennae and fly with their legs held close to the body.
European wasps are found in large communal nests, normally only visible as a small entrance hole. Nests are normally built underground, in wall cavities, ceilings, logs or trees. European wasps are mainly found in the Southern states of Australia, generally south of Sydney.
European wasps are more aggressive than bees and will attack when their nests are disturbed. Unlike bees, wasps can sting more than once, and do not die after stinging.
Papernest Wasp
Paper wasps have a small head, with medium sized eyes and medium length antennae. The body is slender, with a very narrow waist. There are two pairs of brown-tinted wings, with the first pair larger. The abdomen has some yellow/orange bands, but is mainly black.
Paper wasps form small colonies, and make paper nests under tree branches and the eaves of houses. The nests are shaped like inverted cones, and consist of a cluster of hexagonal cells.
Paper wasps can deliver painful stings, but are not as aggressive as European Wasps. They normally only attack humans if their nest is disturbed. If stings are multiple, a more severe systemic reaction may occur.
Mud-Dauber Wasp
Mud-Dauber Wasps are solitary insects known for their ability to create cocoon shaped nests out of mud. They can be distingushed from other species of wasps with their elongated bodies, slender waists, and intricate colours and patterns.
These wasps can be found in a range of environments across Australia, including woodlands, wetlands, and in urban environments around homes and gardens. Mud-Dauber Wasps are one of the more commonly encountered species of wasps observed in the Greater Sydney area.
Mud-dauber Wasps can deliver painful stings, but rarely attack. An ice pack may be used to relieve the pain of the sting and if there is evidence of an allergic reaction, medical attention should be sought.
Regularly inspect areas like eaves, window frames, roof gaps, and sheds, and seal any openings or cracks to prevent wasps from entering.
Wasps are attracted to food and sugary substances. Keep outdoor trash bins sealed tightly, clean up food or drink spills quickly, and avoid leaving pet food outside. In the garden, pick up fallen fruit and keep compost bins covered.
Wasps often build nests in trees, bushes, or other dense vegetation. Regularly trim hedges, bushes, and tree branches that are close to your home. Keeping your garden well-maintained makes the area less attractive for wasps.
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Yes! All of the pest control products we use are AEMPA approved and are safe for use in sensitive environments such as homes, schools, hotels and food handling premises.
It is important to note that for services where we are applying a pesticide in spray form, we recommend that children, pregnant people, and pets are off-site or removed from the areas of treatment for the duration of the service and for approximately 2 hours after the service to allow for drying. Our products are all odourless and colourless and once dry.
Whilst our products are approved for use in homes, we recommend that you are not in the home while a treatment is being carried out and for up to 2 hours after to allow the solution to fully dry. Depending on the home and treatment being done, it will take our team 45-90 minutes to complete the service.
It is okay for adults to stay in the home in an area excluded for treatment if it is not convenient to vacate however, children and pets must vacate the home. Your technician will complete a service report on completion with any recommendations and send a copy through before locking up and leaving.
We recommend that you sweep and mop your floors in preparation before our service as pesticides bind better to clean, dry floors and are more effective. You can view our full preparation list here. Ideally, avoid mopping again for as log as possible after a treatment, generally 3-5 days. Spray treatments are applied around the edges and skirting boards of rooms and if you do need to mop, avoiding the edges of the floor will help prolong the treatment’s effect.
As our treatments cover a variety of pests and conditions, your qualified technician will apply a range of pest control products throughout your home during treatment. These products generally consist of a residual spray, gel baits and insecticide dusts.
Your technician will make note of activity levels, the species of pests and areas of concern in your home and make recommendations on the service report at the end for follow up services, proofing and cleaning that will assist in keeping pests away.
Not always. Spider treatments are most effective when they are applied to the web. If the spider is present then the treatment will act quickly, however in some cases, it will take time for the spider to return and to pick up a lethal dose as it interacts with the insecticide. You may see immediate results following a treatment however it is common to see activity for up to 5 days as pests come into contact with insecticides.
We are confident in our ability and the services we offer, and as such, we provide a 60 day pest-free Guarantee on home pest control services.
Warranties are subject to conditions and may not be applicable depending on the condition and housekeeping of a home. Your technician will discuss your warranty eligibility with you on completion of a service and will provide recommendations on proofing and housekeeping steps that need to be taken before a warranty is provided.
We offer our Pest-Free Guarantee to rectify a pest re-infestation in treated areas. It is common to see the occasional pest following a treatment. Please allow at least 2 weeks post-service before you activate your warranty to allow the treatment to have full effect. Additional call out fees may apply to visits not covered by warranties. No external areas are covered by a warranty.
Unit 8, 849 South Dowling Street, Waterloo, NSW 2017
P: 02 9157 5706
E: info@oracleservices.com.au
Unit 8, 849 South Dowling Street
Waterloo, NSW 2017
P: 02 9157 5706
E: info@oracleservices.com.au