Pest control experts are warning Britons to be on high alert for German wasps, known for their painful sting, as the insects become increasingly aggressive after consuming fermented fruit. These worker wasps, scientifically known as Vespula germanica, are completing their seasonal tasks of providing nectar to queen wasps. However, as queens finish laying eggs and abandon the nest, the workers find themselves without their primary purpose, leading to unpredictable behavior.
Chris Davies, technical manager for Cleankill Pest Control, explained to The Mirror, "The workers have to bring food back to the larvae and each time they bring food back – such as an insect – they get a sweet reward from the larvae. It's when the larvae develop and stop needing them that they go a bit nuts trying to find sweet things to satisfy their cravings."
As a result, the wasps are feasting on windfall fruit like blackberries, apples, and plums, which are often already fermenting. This unintentional consumption of alcohol affects the wasps' behavior, making them "drunk," more aggressive, and prone to stinging without apparent cause.
German wasps, larger than common wasps but smaller than hornets, are known for their particularly painful sting. These wasps can be identified by their size and three black spots on their face.
The average wasp nest contains 10,000 wasps, with some housing up to 500,000. There are hundreds of millions of German wasps in the UK, compared to around 240 billion common wasps.
Experts warn that along with windfall fruits, wasps are more likely to be attracted to sugary items commonly found in picnics, such as open cans of fizzy drinks, jam sandwiches, or doughnuts.
Richard Potter, a 45-year-old gardener from Watford, Hertfordshire, shared his experience of being stung by a German wasp last summer with The Mirror: "I'm normally pretty careful around wasps and bees, but last summer I was attacked by a Yellowjacket while cutting the grass. I had a can of Sprite in the cup holder on my sit-on lawnmower and this wasp just kept coming back and back again.
"I was getting a bit sick of it, so I swatted at it – and it just attacked, stinging me on my arms and legs. It was genuinely agony for the rest of the day, and itched like mad for a few days after," Potter added.
As the summer progresses, it is advised to exercise caution during outdoor activities and be aware of the increased risk posed by these unintentionally yet aggressive "drunk" wasps.
