Bees and wasps

Bees and wasps can be a problem in Moreland, especially in spring and early summer.  Bees and wasps sting people and some people have a serious allergy to bees. The native citrus gall wasps nests in lemon and orange trees in Moreland and slowly kills them.

A European wasp has a long body with bright yellow with black stripes.

A bee is round with orange and black stripes.  For information in relation to keeping of bees see Bees Online.

Citrus trees and native citrus gall wasps

The native citrus gall wasp is a problem in Moreland.

In spring, the native citrus gall wasps lay eggs in the stems of lemon and orange trees. The stems swell with hundreds of lavae inside. If untreated, the tree will have less fruit and eventually die.

There are no chemicals to treat gall wasps. To treat gall wasps:

1. Cut all stems with swelling off. Cut a few inches below the swelling.
2. Cut stems before September. In September the lavae hatch and adult wasps come out of stems.
3. Burn stems or put them in a plastic bag, and into the rubbish bin.

The natural predator of the citrus gall wasp is the native wasp.

Wasp nests

Wasps like to live around people so they are near food and drink. They may build nests under the ground, in walls with holes and in retaining walls. Wasps like sweet food, meat, drinks and moving objects. They are more aggressive than bees and will sting people.

See related links below to remove a wasps nest yourself or to contact a licensed pest controller.

Discourage European wasps

In your backyard:

• pick up fallen fruit or food scraps
• clean up leftover pet food or dog bones
• use rubbish bins with tight fitting lids
• cover compost at all times, and 
• cover bird baths and fish ponds with fine mesh or shade cloth.

At a picnic or barbecue:

• cover food 
• pour drink from cans into a glass or use a straw – a wasp could be inside the can, and
• wear shoes as stings are often on feet.

Bee swarms

Bees are gentle and usually sting in self-defence.

Bees travel in large groups called swarms. A swarm of bees may stay in the one area for up to two or three days and then leave.  

If you are worried about a bee swarm, contact the Bee Information Line for advice or a licensed Pest Controller to remove it. Do not move the swarm yourself.

Who is responsible for bee swarms and wasp nests?

On private property, the owner of a property must deal with a bee swarm or wasp nest.  

On a light pole, contact:

• AGL phone 133 000
• Origin Energy phone 131 260, or
• Telecommunication Pit Telstra phone 132 200.

On Council land, parks, pools or buildings, contact Council.

Links

• Yellow Pages Pest Control
• Bee Information Line on 1902 241 059 : the cost of this call is $2.20 per minute including GST, and extra from a payphone or mobile phone (Mediatel).
• Museum Victoria's information on European Wasps.