European Wasps
European Wasps are attracted to sweet foods and meat and are commonly a nuisance at outdoor eating events and barbeques. The European wasp is identifiable by: its black and yellow body; its yellow legs and triangle markings on the abdomen. Do not aggravate a European wasp if detected on your property.
What if you are stung?
Unlike a bee, wasps can sting repeatedly. Apply an ice-cold pack to a sting to relieve the fiery pain and red swelling. Take oral analgesics if SERVERE pain occurs.
Multiple stings to the face or neck can lead to severe swelling and/or allergic reaction. If this occurs and the person has difficulty breathing contact an ambulance, hospital or doctor.
For information on FIRST AID and wasp stings, contact Poison Information on 131 126.
Finding the Nest
To establish the direction the wasps are flying, place a food source (eg meat or pet food) in a visible location. Once a wasp has collected the food, it will fly in a direct line to the nest (up to 500m away). Keep relocating the food source in the direction of the nest. Nests are commonly found underground and will be evident by a stream of wasps entering and leaving a hole in the ground but can also be found in retaining walls, hollows of trees and wall cavities. The nest is made of grey papier mache material NOT mud.
Once you have located the nest, do not disturb or approach. Contact your local pest controller to arrange removal.
To identify a European Wasp and find out how to locate the nest, download this brochure European Wasp 
(565 kb)