BELOW average winter rain points to an active summer for European wasps, experts warn.
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Queen wasps nest in October and worker wasps usually become active from the first week in January.
Stephen Ackerly, Economic Pest Control, said queens often nest in river banks and flood plains, making floods the most effective method of reducing numbers.
“Last year was a bad season,” Mr Ackerly said.
“With no floods for the last couple of years the numbers have been building up.
“A lot depends on the weather between now and January.”
Unlike bees, European wasps can sting repeatedly, and release a pheromone (chemical signal) that 'marks' animals, attracting other wasps to the sting site.
“People may be noticing queens flying around, just emerged from hibernation, looking for new nests in places like eaves, wood piles and compost heaps,” said wasp expert Patrick Honan, who is live exhibits manager at Museum Victoria.
