I have had two emails in regards to my press release about the wasps menace. They talked about wasps killing fledgling birds. One from a game bird breeder and one from a concerned tramper who watched a number of wasps (through his binos) attacking the eyes of a baby bird in a nest and killing it and then carting the flesh off. Has anyone else seen this or have any photos of it.... or something like....
Seen them on a crippled waxeye which they demolished. You know what they do to a carcass hung up in the bush. Seem to become demonised when they are eating meat.
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #2 - Dec 23rd, 2015 at 6:56pm
Good news about Vespex becoming widely available now to individuals who complete their online test
MMM..Individuals that have to pay to do it and then buy the stuff...cant see the average joe blog that could kill thousands of wasps doing that thou unless its free
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #5 - Jan 11th, 2016 at 1:21pm
found/walked past half dozen nests yesterday in beech forest,wouldv'e been easy to drop a prepared bait into mouth of nest on way past...the hum of wings just on daylight was unreal and it was a relief to get higher up in bush past where they are thickest.
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #7 - Feb 9th, 2016 at 6:59pm
The wasp numbers in Lewis Pass were really few when I was there recently, I was pleasantly surprised. Not sure if the cold has knocked them back already?
Everything in Nature has a purpose. Wasps, bees and ants produce forms of formic acid, as does stinging nettle.( ever noticed that stinging nettle feels the same as a wasp or bee sting, well it's the same chemical). All life needs formic acid and all things that take have to give. So while it seems wasps do a lot of taking, they actually give back an essential element to all life. Why are wasps abundant in the back country? As far as I know the only source of formic acid in native flora and fauna is the nettle which may not be a very efficient way of dispensing it.( Romans grew stinging nettle to alleviate muscle pain after long marches, try it some time).. Honey bees cannot survive in the high country because the summer's are too short and nectar sources limited. They have to store a lot of honey to survive the winters.Wasps on the other hand die off over winter so don't have the food storage problem. In Autumn wasp nests produce queens that hibernate over the winter months and start a new nest in spring. Scientists in NZ are working on all sorts of nasty things to get rid of wasps, but they don't understand the role that wasps have. More poisons, more genetic engineering. Another aspect of wasps is that they have the potential to control wood boring insect outbreaks. These insects sometimes get to high numbers that cause tree mortality. With wasps needing protein for larvae( adult wasps are actually vegetarians), they could act as a limiting factor by harvesting the beetles at certain critical times. Rather than seeing wasps as a nuisance, I see them as guardians of the forest. Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #14 - Oct 15th, 2016 at 7:56am
Everything in Nature has a purpose. Wasps, bees and ants produce forms of formic acid, as does stinging nettle.( ever noticed that stinging nettle feels the same as a wasp or bee sting, well it's the same chemical). All life needs formic acid and all things that take have to give. So while it seems wasps do a lot of taking, they actually give back an essential element to all life. Why are wasps abundant in the back country? As far as I know the only source of formic acid in native flora and fauna is the nettle which may not be a very efficient way of dispensing it.( Romans grew stinging nettle to alleviate muscle pain after long marches, try it some time).. Honey bees cannot survive in the high country because the summer's are too short and nectar sources limited. They have to store a lot of honey to survive the winters.Wasps on the other hand die off over winter so don't have the food storage problem. In Autumn wasp nests produce queens that hibernate over the winter months and start a new nest in spring. Scientists in NZ are working on all sorts of nasty things to get rid of wasps, but they don't understand the role that wasps have. More poisons, more genetic engineering. Another aspect of wasps is that they have the potential to control wood boring insect outbreaks. These insects sometimes get to high numbers that cause tree mortality. With wasps needing protein for larvae( adult wasps are actually vegetarians), they could act as a limiting factor by harvesting the beetles at certain critical times. Rather than seeing wasps as a nuisance, I see them as guardians of the forest. Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.
Those bastards that chased me into the river trying to devour the meat that I was trying to salvage off a dead Red were the weirdest phucking vegetarians I have ever seen.
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #15 - Oct 15th, 2016 at 8:31am
If this is true? Heard years ago that the Government bought in the wasp to kill the white butterfly caterpillar, true or false? if so this should be on the Government to get rid of them.
Everything in Nature has a purpose. Wasps, bees and ants produce forms of formic acid, as does stinging nettle.( ever noticed that stinging nettle feels the same as a wasp or bee sting, well it's the same chemical). All life needs formic acid and all things that take have to give. So while it seems wasps do a lot of taking, they actually give back an essential element to all life. Why are wasps abundant in the back country? As far as I know the only source of formic acid in native flora and fauna is the nettle which may not be a very efficient way of dispensing it.( Romans grew stinging nettle to alleviate muscle pain after long marches, try it some time).. Honey bees cannot survive in the high country because the summer's are too short and nectar sources limited. They have to store a lot of honey to survive the winters.Wasps on the other hand die off over winter so don't have the food storage problem. In Autumn wasp nests produce queens that hibernate over the winter months and start a new nest in spring. Scientists in NZ are working on all sorts of nasty things to get rid of wasps, but they don't understand the role that wasps have. More poisons, more genetic engineering. Another aspect of wasps is that they have the potential to control wood boring insect outbreaks. These insects sometimes get to high numbers that cause tree mortality. With wasps needing protein for larvae( adult wasps are actually vegetarians), they could act as a limiting factor by harvesting the beetles at certain critical times. Rather than seeing wasps as a nuisance, I see them as guardians of the forest. Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.
If that is true then they are policing their role a little too liberally for me. They are an invasive species and the main reason they don't die off in NZ is because our winters are not cold enough. I learned this from attending a talk given in Seattle by a ranger/scientist, although I think it is common enough knowledge here in NZ. Also bees did survive in our high country during the winter, at least prior to the arrival of wasps and varroa mite.
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #19 - Oct 19th, 2016 at 9:37am
The little buggers don't quite die off in Winter for sure. Been dozing out rotten log piles and every now and then I get a wee flurry of activity Nothing like late summer though when you have to be wearing bee gear to stay safe.
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #20 - Nov 17th, 2016 at 9:32am
Seen them kill a horse many years ago - heard the noise and poked my head over the fence. Poor bugger must have stood in a ground nest and they swarmed out and attacked. By the time I got to see what was happening they'd swarmed his head and neck and he'd gone into absolute panic. After a while his heart gave out and he collapsed. Like a lot of others - I've been chased of a carcase in the Kaimanawa's whilst butchering - I can do without them.
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #21 - Nov 17th, 2016 at 9:46am
Everything in Nature has a purpose. Wasps, bees and ants produce forms of formic acid, as does stinging nettle.( ever noticed that stinging nettle feels the same as a wasp or bee sting, well it's the same chemical). All life needs formic acid and all things that take have to give. So while it seems wasps do a lot of taking, they actually give back an essential element to all life. Why are wasps abundant in the back country? As far as I know the only source of formic acid in native flora and fauna is the nettle which may not be a very efficient way of dispensing it.( Romans grew stinging nettle to alleviate muscle pain after long marches, try it some time).. Honey bees cannot survive in the high country because the summer's are too short and nectar sources limited. They have to store a lot of honey to survive the winters.Wasps on the other hand die off over winter so don't have the food storage problem. In Autumn wasp nests produce queens that hibernate over the winter months and start a new nest in spring. Scientists in NZ are working on all sorts of nasty things to get rid of wasps, but they don't understand the role that wasps have. More poisons, more genetic engineering. Another aspect of wasps is that they have the potential to control wood boring insect outbreaks. These insects sometimes get to high numbers that cause tree mortality. With wasps needing protein for larvae( adult wasps are actually vegetarians), they could act as a limiting factor by harvesting the beetles at certain critical times. Rather than seeing wasps as a nuisance, I see them as guardians of the forest. Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.
Wahooman what a load of absolute rubbish German and common wasps are introduced and have no place at all in our forests biggest load of bullshit I have read in a long time
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #23 - Mar 29th, 2018 at 5:01am
when DOC used to post permits I suggested they put a quantity of insecticide with permit for hunter to apply to doorstep of nest. I've sat the Vertex test & paid the $$ & yes it is an expensive item & not easily shipped up to the north Island for health & safety transporting reasons! But I voluntered to DOC my time & expense if they supplied me with bait id do both sides of the Waipakihi river & other places in that vicinity, but I was kind fobbed off! Perhaps I could get donations from the forum...? About now wasps will be flying off from their nest, these will be pregnant queens, (if you spot a large solitary wasp in your wood heap etc they sting! but do your interpretation of Irish dancing on said head!!) That queen is possibly 1 of a possable 1000 queens leaving a single nest - do your arithmetic on that one!that's why nov to about now wasps are aggressive but once the queens leave they tone it down a tad... Quote vertex!!
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #24 - Mar 29th, 2018 at 5:05am
While Im on this "late" topic. My thought as to why the wasp No's are so big is because they need to collect protein for their larvae, so moths n aphids n caterpillars etc are a ready source so is 1080 'd animals! & there is no shortage of that! are wasps immune to 1080...? are they gonna mutate...? will we be next...? think I'd better mow me lawns!!!
you never forget a person who came to you with a torch in the dark. COURAGE: is knowing it might hurt, & doing it anyway. STUPIDITY is the same & thats why life is hard!
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #25 - Mar 30th, 2018 at 11:00am
Everything in Nature has a purpose. Wasps, bees and ants produce forms of formic acid, as does stinging nettle.( ever noticed that stinging nettle feels the same as a wasp or bee sting, well it's the same chemical). All life needs formic acid and all things that take have to give. So while it seems wasps do a lot of taking, they actually give back an essential element to all life. Why are wasps abundant in the back country? As far as I know the only source of formic acid in native flora and fauna is the nettle which may not be a very efficient way of dispensing it.( Romans grew stinging nettle to alleviate muscle pain after long marches, try it some time).. Honey bees cannot survive in the high country because the summer's are too short and nectar sources limited. They have to store a lot of honey to survive the winters.Wasps on the other hand die off over winter so don't have the food storage problem. In Autumn wasp nests produce queens that hibernate over the winter months and start a new nest in spring. Scientists in NZ are working on all sorts of nasty things to get rid of wasps, but they don't understand the role that wasps have. More poisons, more genetic engineering. Another aspect of wasps is that they have the potential to control wood boring insect outbreaks. These insects sometimes get to high numbers that cause tree mortality. With wasps needing protein for larvae( adult wasps are actually vegetarians), they could act as a limiting factor by harvesting the beetles at certain critical times. Rather than seeing wasps as a nuisance, I see them as guardians of the forest. Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.
Saw on YouTube bloke using WD40 on wasps claiming significant success.
after filliting a small trout on the side of my trailer over christmas period and seeing the absolute feeding frenzy that took place on remains by hundreds of very agro wasps...this after having killed out 10 nests from around area(mates house) it really got me thinking how well a fella would fare if you tipped over up in the bush and broke leg badly and had a large quantity of blood on n around you if nest or nests were close by..... you cant run away and they can smell you..... the chopper might get to you in time if you set off epirb but it could be a very dodgy situation,swat one wasp and they sting and it sets off chain reaction.... before long you would be like the horse SF90 mentioned and then if skin open you start to be carted away in little hunks ..... killed 3 nests while stalking over easter weekend. more wasp powder in my daybag now..... kill em all.
had a thought on the hard to reach nests/very active ones...... put powder/poison on a tissue say heaped spoonfull,then drizzle condensed milk over it,wrap up tissue a little and lob it right into mouth of nest or as close to it as you can get...... wee plastic wrapped jam serving came to mind too. wasps will smell and eat it and that close to nest entrance bees sure wont go near....what you fellas reckon????
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• German wasp (Vespula germanica) arrived about 1940 • Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) discovered 1983 • Common wasps almost completely replaced German wasps by 1990 [Bandits of the Beech Forest, Wild South Documentary]
• Wasps have been observed to kill newborn birds. [Moller, H. (1990). Wasps kill nestling birds. Notornis 37: 76-77]
• Worker wasps have very few enzymes in their guts, so they cannot digest much of the food they gather. They bring the raw food into the nest and pass it to other workers who feed the hungry larvae. In return, the larvae release a creamy blob of predigested "soup" that contains all the sustenance the worker needs. This type of food exchange is called "trophollaxic feeding", and is a key part of the social contact between workers and the developing young. • Queens produce a pheromone (insect-produced chemical substances that release certain specific behaviour patterns) that regulates worker behaviour and inhibits the development of their sexual organs. Wasps also produce an "alarm pheromone" that stimulates a general state of alarm in the colony and releases aggressive behaviour towards an intruder. Rapid wing beats also function as an alarm signal stimulating other wasps to defend the nest. [http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biocons/invertebrates/Wasps/faq.asp]
• Workers will also hunt arthropods, including flies, mosquitoes and caterpillars to feed their wasp larvae which require a protein rich diet [http://www.padil.gov.au/viewPest.aspx?id=795]
• At the peak of the wasp season we predict caterpillars would have virtually no chance (probability of 10-78 to 10-40) of surviving to adults. Wasp abundance must be reduced by at least 88% to conserve the more vulnerable species of free-living caterpillars at wasp densities similar to those observed in our study sites. • Our models show that most Lepidoptera with spring caterpillars will be able to persist, but species with caterpillars occurring in the peak wasp season will be eliminated. [Beggs, J.R. and Rees, J.S. (1999). Restructuring of Lepidoptera communities by introduced Vespula wasps in New Zealand beech forest. Oecologia 119: 565-571.]
agree headcase but if you lobbed tissue wrapped bundle right by a nest no bee will go anywhere near it cause they would get eaten by wasps........ no big issue to carry tube of condy milk and small pack of tissues along with powder..... faaark I hate the dirty sewing machine arsed little german huas
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The powder in the yellow container that you can buy at Bunnings etc is useless. Treated a nest three times with that and there were still a heap of wasps about. The old powder that you can no longer get used to deal with them in one hit. There are now a ton of wasps along rivers where they are getting the dew off the willow aphids now too. Their numbers have gone right up in those areas. Way up!!! Wasps predate many of our smaller species and also compete with birds for the same food source. The only way to get rid of them ultimately is genetic. I think when that day comes we will be staggered at the rise in invertebrate and bird populations in our back country.
yeh, PLEASE! don't use any sort of sugar base for your poison. concerned beekeeper.
yes I can see problem if you are setting baits out in open etc but lobbing a package into of very very near a nest should eliminate risk to bees.... those hot bummed little german sewing machines will vacume up anything in no time and take it into nest,even if it had immediate 100% kill of wasps there would be stuff all left to put bees at risk....if they would even go near a dead nest site.
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I have had a problem with the yellow peril that made a nest on the roof. Surpriseing enough I got rid of them by spraying spider spray on the nest. Knocked them arse over tit
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A while back someone on this forum mentioned a particular poison mixed with a coupla sardines - if every hunter laid a couple of these baits surely there must be a decline in nests? Or as mentioned why doesn't DOC supply this poison to every hunter/tramper thats willing to place them ...? cost them zilch!
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Re: Wasps killing birds Reply #36 - May 25th, 2018 at 8:24am
I've walked a few tracks in Nelson Lakes and Abel Tasman National Parks this summer and DOC has put wasp bait stations along a lot of tracks. Few to no wasps about in these areas once they have been treated. Maybe the increased funding for DOC will mean more wasp control.
Could easily be done by trapping contractors while they go about their business of trapping.
Of course, DOC will have to start employing trappers before they can control wasps over large areas. Unfortunately, aerial 1080 isn't very effective at controlling wasps.
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Could easily be done by trapping contractors while they go about their business of trapping.
Of course, DOC will have to start employing trappers before they can control wasps over large areas. Unfortunately, aerial 1080 isn't very effective at controlling wasps.
do wasps feed on possum carcass? would be easy enough to spinkle/paint on a bit of active ingredient aswell
Could easily be done by trapping contractors while they go about their business of trapping.
Of course, DOC will have to start employing trappers before they can control wasps over large areas. Unfortunately, aerial 1080 isn't very effective at controlling wasps.
do wasps feed on possum carcass? would be easy enough to spinkle/paint on a bit of active ingredient aswell
Yes, wasps will feed on possum carcasses. Wasps will feed on any protein rich food when they need protein for the development of the young wasps.
When wasps reach their highest densities they are considered to be the N0.1 predator as they not only feed on other insects they also kill bird chicks on the nest. The raiding of the honey dew is only a part of the wasp diet.
I heard a DOC scientist, interviewed on RNZ, and he said that wasps can reach a bio-mass of more than the total bio-mass of all the introduced animals in the native bush. Individual wasps may be small, however, their combined weight, bio-mass and predator status can place them well above all the possums, rats, stoats, cats, ferrets, hedgehogs, etc as far as damage to native species go.
As for the idea of adding wasp poison to possum carcasses, this would, not only, poison the wasps, but, also everything else that would feed on the carcasses.
There was an experimental programme where 1080 was added to canned sardines, with the initial results looking good for controlling wasps. I never heard why this 1080 option was shelved.
This new wasp deal seems to be ideal, as the bait is only presented when wasps are feeding on protein, is presented in a way that targets wasps and is only available for the few days it takes to control the wasps.
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didnt really think about what else might eat the carcass. and I had a good read up last year on the vespex, the only downfall I see is how to blanket cover the area in the right timeframe, thats alot of legs needed allthough I guess a phased approach will be taken over a long period.
I used to hunt quite a few areas up there and some spots you wouldnt dare go in the summer months due to wasps, would be good to see them dealt to thats for sure.
didnt really think about what else might eat the carcass. and I had a good read up last year on the vespex, the only downfall I see is how to blanket cover the area in the right timeframe, thats alot of legs needed allthough I guess a phased approach will be taken over a long period.
I used to hunt quite a few areas up there and some spots you wouldnt dare go in the summer months due to wasps, would be good to see them dealt to thats for sure.
One of the positives for employing trappers is that they are already working in the bush and have established permanent trap-lines. After the trap-lines have been set up the trappers are carrying very little into the bush and could easily set up wasp bait stations at very little additional cost.