Giant hornets attack yellow hornets in brutal battle
While the UK enjoyed several weeks of scorching hot weather, the heatwave became a perfect breeding ground for several insects. And with the insects invading the country, wildlife experts have been forced to issue warnings.
The hot temperatures produced an abundance of fermenting fruit for German Yellowjacket wasps to feed on.
The warm weather also meant more wasp nests survived this summer, producing an increase of the stinging bugs.
According to Cleankill Pest Control, there has been a 20 percent year-on-year increase of the wasps.
German Yellowjackets are known to be “much more bad-tempered” than other wasps and can give a nastier sting.
It is believed there are around 200 billion Yellowjackets in the UK and around 250 billion common wasps.
As most queen wasps have now finished laying eggs and left their nests, most worker wasps have nothing else to do but “get drunk” on fermented fruit.
Due to being intoxicated, the wasps are reportedly “extra bold” and are likely to sting for no reason.
Paul Bates, Cleankill boss, has urged the public to be aware of the wasps and said: “The type of wasp causing most problems is the German Yellowjacket which gives a particularly painful sting.
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“Warm weather in early parts of the season in March and April this year means that more Yellowjacket nests have survived.
“Up until mid-August, workers provided food for the larva in the nest, but once the queen stops laying eggs there is no longer any need for food in the nest so the workers go out to have a good time.
“They feed off BBQ scraps on plates and on fallen fermenting fruits that are in abundance at this time of year.”
Fruit can become fermented on its own when high sugar content turns into alcohol.
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Mr Bates continued: “The best thing to teach anybody is not to frantically wave arms around at wasps as this suggest that they are under attack.
“And they will emit a pheromone to attract their mates, who are also likely to have been feasting on fermented fruit.”
The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) added: “In the UK you’re most likely to come across Vespula vulgarisms and German wasps.
“Both species are yellow and black striped, and have painful stings that can cause allergic reactions.
“In reality, wasps will usually only attack a person if they feel threatened.
“The problem is a social wasp in distress emits a pheromone that sends nearby colony members into a defensive, stinging frenzy.
“That’s right - scare a wasp and it might call for backup.”
Furthermore, killer Asian hornets are set to invade the UK next month.
After arriving in Europe in 2004, the Asian hornets have been spotted across the continent.
They were spotted on Jersey in late 2016 and concerns the bugs have arrived in southern England have been raised.