Massive wasp nest in city pub (From This is Hampshire)
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Massive wasp nest found in Southampton pub's loft
3:11pm Friday 28th May 2010 in News
Massive wasp nest in city pub
WHEN pest controller Sean Whelan was called to a break out of wasps at a Southampton pub it didn’t take long to find the source of the problem.
In a corner of the watering hole’s loft he found the biggest wasp nest he had ever seen.
In fact the nest was so large it was the size of a double bed mattress and was home to up to half a million killer wasps.
Built around a chimney stack the six foot by five foot nest was 15 times bigger than a typical one and is thought to be one of the biggest in the UK.
“The wasps were buzzing all over the place. There was enough to kill someone if they weren’t wearing the right clothing,” said Sean, from Whelan Pest Prevention.
“It was without doubt the biggest nest I have ever seen. It was an amazing sight – I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
The pub has not been identified, but its wasps nest has cause a real buzz in the insect world.
Kevin Higgins, from the British Pest Control Association, said: “It’s certainly the biggest I have seen and would be a UK contender.
“I believe the largest ever was found on a farm in New Zealand in 1963 and measured 12 foot long by 5.9 foot diameter.”
Using a telescopic pole, Mr Whelan cracked open the top of the nest and squirted the megacolony with a powerful insecticide.
It is unusual for nests, which are built from wood pulp, to be so big at this time year as the height of the wasp season is still weeks away.
Experts agree the giant nest – one of eight found in the loft – must have been hidden in the pub for at least year to grow so big.
David Baldock, from the Bees, Wasps and Ants Records Society, added: “It’s certainly an enormous nest, but I can’t believe it was a live nest.
“At this time of year queen wasps are just beginning to build their nests but they would be very small nests now.
“I've never seen a nest that size.”
Comments(25)
jammyswine
says...
3:52pm Fri 28 May 10
Barney123
says...
3:55pm Fri 28 May 10
Elgy
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3:59pm Fri 28 May 10
Jammy Donut
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4:13pm Fri 28 May 10
ToastyTea
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4:54pm Fri 28 May 10
SRH74
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5:14pm Fri 28 May 10
Stillness
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5:22pm Fri 28 May 10
Who says they are killers? Did they get a fair trial?
It must be one buzzing pub.
Mick99
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5:39pm Fri 28 May 10
Elgy wrote:The story says: "The pub has not been identified, but its wasps nest has cause a real buzz in the insect world."
You could honestly not make it up. Every Echo article seems to be terminally flawed. WHICH PUB?! I scanned down paragraph after paragraph and yet find nothing. And then I am at the end of the story and none the wiser....... doh.
Dan Kerins
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5:42pm Fri 28 May 10
Elgy wrote:As the article says, the pub has never been identified publicly by people who found the nest.
You could honestly not make it up. Every Echo article seems to be terminally flawed. WHICH PUB?! I scanned down paragraph after paragraph and yet find nothing. And then I am at the end of the story and none the wiser....... doh.
Netley bloke
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6:49pm Fri 28 May 10
X Old Bill
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7:27pm Fri 28 May 10
Yes, possible, but not likely.
Any severe insect sting in sufficient numbers can induce Anaphylactic Shock. Depending on the subject and any previous history it could take just one sting.
Anaphylactic shock or Anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction, is potentially life threatening unless treated immediately. An injection of Adrenalin is usually enough to start recovery.
The risk of being stung by wasps is fairly low at this time of year unless you are threatening the colony, which is this case you would be.
The risk becomes greater later in the year when excess from the colony range out to forage in smaller groups, they then become more defensive as individuals.
Contrary to popular belief Hornets are actually less likely to sting than the smaller common wasp.
freefinker
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7:47pm Fri 28 May 10
Yes, I have a friend where I bite would kill - thus he always carries adrenalin at all times when outdoors.
But for most people it's just a painful nuisance.
Netley bloke
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8:21pm Fri 28 May 10
timjim
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11:08pm Fri 28 May 10
Stillness
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11:37pm Fri 28 May 10
freefinker wrote:Dogs bite. Wasps sting.
Well said X Old Bill.
Yes, I have a friend where I bite would kill - thus he always carries adrenalin at all times when outdoors.
But for most people it's just a painful nuisance.
Ozmosis
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11:51pm Fri 28 May 10
enzo27
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10:06am Sat 29 May 10
tugboat
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2:53pm Sat 29 May 10
"wasp it all about alfie".
and followed it with "wasp the matter u y u look so sad".
timjim
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4:39pm Mon 31 May 10
tugboat wrote:Are they by sting?
The landlord has admitted full responsibility, apparently it all started with the friday night kareoke sessioin when a punter got up and sang, "wasp it all about alfie". and followed it with "wasp the matter u y u look so sad".
WigPoo
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4:51pm Mon 31 May 10
Lou
www.anon-posting.at.
tc
Elgy
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11:57am Tue 1 Jun 10
twbm
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4:01pm Tue 1 Jun 10
Ozmosis wrote:Irritating, aggressive, carrying a weapon and dressed in stripes. Wouldn't necessarily stand out in a city centre pub ......
8 nests, some there for a year. How the **** did the owners not notice up to "half a million wasps" hanging around the joint. Did they not think to call in pest control earlier!?!?!?!
Shoong
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10:11am Wed 2 Jun 10
twbm wrote:Yes, because ALL football supporters carry weapons.
Ozmosis wrote:Irritating, aggressive, carrying a weapon and dressed in stripes. Wouldn't necessarily stand out in a city centre pub ......
8 nests, some there for a year. How the **** did the owners not notice up to "half a million wasps" hanging around the joint. Did they not think to call in pest control earlier!?!?!?!
You make yourself look an idiot when you post these comments.
twbm
says...
8:56am Thu 3 Jun 10
OSPREYSAINT says...
3:37pm Fri 28 May 10