Keep an eye out for queen wasp's ahead of the King's coronation, Sussex pest experts warn
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The pros at PestFix, an animal control company based in Chichester, are offering advice to keep you and your loved ones safe from queen wasps – who might be more common than usual this time of year.
Often misidentified as hornets, queen wasps are much larger than regular wasps and start to come out of hibernation at this time of year, looking for new places to nest. They can be very aggressive.
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Hide AdThey vary in size from 2cm to 2.5cm and effectively act as the leader of a wasp’s nest. The queen chooses a suitable area, like a hollow tree or a cavity, and collects wood to form the pulp which will go on to form the basis of the nest. This initial nest will look like a sphere, about the size of a tennis ball. As each cell is created, the queen lays eggs – which will hatch in around a month’s time. From the eggs emerge sterile female worker wasps, who take over the maintenance of the nest while the queen continues to lay eggs for the rest of her life.
If you see a solitary wasp in your home, the pros at Pestfix say its best to open a window and gently encourage the beastie outside. If you see a starter nest, however, it might be best to call your local pest professionals.