Be vigilant and report European wasp ‘hitch-hikers’ says DPIRD after Albany nest is discovered and removed

A colony of European wasps has been discovered in Napier, just north of Albany, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is urging the community to be on the alert for more.

A DPIRD spokesman said hibernating queens hitch-hike their way to WA via freight transport, tourism and other means.

The Napier nest was near Millbrook Nature Reserve and reported as part of an ongoing surveillance and eradication campaign with DPIRD distributing 500 European wasp traps in the Albany area over the last two years.

The traps led to the removal of 31 nests in 2023-24 and one last year.

The Napier nest has been removed and the surveillance area, covering 62sqkm of the City of Albany area, extended.

Residents, businesses and local governments can sign up to DPIRD’s adopt-a-trap initiative to help monitor the wasps during their active season, from December to May.

DPIRD European wasp project lead Kris Armstrong said community support was vital.

“European wasps damage horticulture and viticulture crops, disrupt native flora and fauna, while their painful sting can harm humans, pets and livestock,” he said.

“Continued vigilance is essential to aid early detection.”

European wasps are easily confused with yellow paper wasps but are the same size and shape to the common honeybee.

Their bodies are bright lemon-yellow with black stripes, yellow legs and black antennae.

Suspect sightings can be reported using DPIRD’s MyPestGuide Reporter app, via the department’s pest and disease information service on 9368 3080 or via email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au