Vespex Wasp Control
This message is to all those who have indicated an interest in having a bait station on their property in Piha – encouragingly, we have had over 100 responses. There is clearly a desire to get on top of our wasp problem and we really appreciate those prepared to have a bait station on their property.
However, many more properties than this are needed and in particular we need individuals to take on coordinating the exercise in their road/s.
The coordination role is not onerous. You will need to complete a one hour online “approved user” form at a cost of $66 which Pest free Piha will reimburse. Your main role will be to find sufficient properties on which to site the small yellow bait station, spread out for maximum effect. There are already several people in your road that we can put you in touch with – you’ll need roughly every third or fourth property. We will be doing testing to determine the optimum time to put out the bait in bait stations which we supply, probably towards the end of February.
In most roads, people have offered help so the work can be done quickly. Baits are retrieved after 5 days or so and we will take responsibility for disposing of them safely.
Do let us know if you are prepared to help. We have coordinators for Te Ahuahu, Rayner and Pendrell Rds, but if we cannot find someone to coordinate your road the wasp control will not be able to go ahead there. We will be making a decision about which roads to go ahead in after about 10 days.
Below is our flyer which we’d like you can print out and distribute. Or we can deliver you some and they are also available in the Store, Library etc
We are out to get wasps this summer and we need your help! Last year, Pest free Piha ran a successful wasp eradication pilot in Te Ahuahu Rd, reducing wasp numbers there by an estimated 70%. This year we want to offer the programme in each road in Piha.
We are aiming for at least an 85% success rate with these troublesome pests which are dangerous for some of us, and a significant predator of native birds and insects. At very least, they can spoil a good BBQ.
We will be using a protein-based bait called Vespex, developed in Nelson, which is currently the most effective method of controlling German and common wasps (it does not control paper wasps). Vespex is deployed in bait stations at a specific time — usually around late February to mid March – once the wasps have switched to a protein diet. The wasps take the bait back to the colony and the nest is usually wiped out overnight.
The protein bait is targeted at wasps and is not attractive to bees which are only interested in sugar. It is also of very low risk to birds, pets and people.
We will cover all the costs, including bait stations, bait and the necessary on-line training – we just need your time and enthusiasm.
Contact us if you would be willing to have a bait station on your property for a period of around 5 days. After this, they will be removed or left in place for the following year. We are also keen to hear from anyone willing to undertake the online training (1 hour) and coordinate distribution in their road. For more information, email pestfreepiha@gmail.com or ring Peter Hosking on 021660275
