Locating a Wasp Nest

The easiest way to confirm a European wasp nest is to see a stream of yellow and black wasps flying in and out of some site.

European wasps usually forage for food within 50 to 250 metres of their nest, although in some instances they have been recorded flying several kilometres for food. If you have a large number of European wasps interrupting your outdoors activities, then you can probably assume you have a nest nearby.

About 80% of European wasp nests will occur in the ground with the remainder usually found inside buildings. Here are some of the places you are most likely to find a wasp nest.

In the ground:

Any concealed site may be used.
Holes dug in the ground.
Around the base of trees or along hedges.
Along retaining walls.
In rockeries.
In rubbish heaps or under disused rubbish (eg. old dogboxes or pieces of furniture).
In an uncovered compost heap or grass clippings.

Above the ground:

In the roof.
In the wall cavity.
In sheltered parts of the building.