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European Wasp Trapping and Baiting in Australia
Mar
Since its release in 2020, the Vespex range of wasp control solutions has given pest managers the tools to successfully bait and trap invasive wasp species.
By all reports, European wasps have been very active over summer, which means we can expect a large number of new queens to have developed in the nests. As autumn approaches, these young queens leave their nests to mate and prepare for hibernation. In addition to the regular use of wasp baiting to eliminate nests throughout the year, queen trapping – to target these newly developed queens as well as queens emerging from hibernation in spring – has become a key strategy for proactive pest control.
By capturing queens before they establish nests, pest managers are preventing the exponential growth of wasp populations in urban and rural areas. This pre-emptive approach not only protects public spaces but also reduces the burden of dealing with fullscale nests as the season develops.
Australia’s very first APVMA-approved European wasp treatment solution was launched in March 2020, and has given pest managers the tools to tackle European wasp infestations successfully. Vespex is a complete wasp solution comprising the Sundew Vespex Dominator Trap paired with the Vespex European Wasp Lure. Thousands of European wasp queens have been captured and eliminated by pest managers who have gained accreditation through the Sundew Solutions online program.
“Around Australia, councils and government departments are starting to request the use of Vespex by pest controllers as they realise the potential for long-term eradication when following a proper program,” explained Rowan Gregson, technical solutions advisor at Sundew Solutions. “The Sundew Vespex European Wasp Accreditation ensures that users are educated and know the ins and outs of the product from day one.”
Craig Nikel from Brighton Pest Control in Tasmania shared his experience. “Each year, I have numerous call-outs for wasps in my pest control business. After speaking with Adam Wilton, business development manager at Sundew Solutions, he suggested I try the Vespex European Wasp system.
“After completing the Sundew Vespex Accredited Specialist training, which took a couple of hours, I gained a thorough understanding of European wasp habits and how to implement a proper control program.
“I started using the system this year and have seen fantastic results. At one of my sites, I installed the Vespex Dominator Bottle Traps with the Vespex European Wasp Liquid Lure, capturing over 100 queen wasps in under four weeks. This far exceeded my expectations, and my clients are extremely happy with the results. I highly recommend Vespex European Wasp products to anyone dealing with serious wasp infestations.”
The combination of advanced trap design and highly effective lure is empowering pest managers to trap and remove wasp queens from their customers’ sites. Feedback from users highlights how this integrated solution is turning the tide in areas that were once plagued by European wasps.
“At Tasman Pest Management, we are proud to partner with Sundew Solutions in deploying the Vespex European Wasp System across various vineyards on the Tasman Peninsula,” said Kris Dunbabin, owner of Tasman Pest Management.
“The results have been extraordinary, particularly in reducing the biomass of European wasp nests, which directly supports the sustainability and productivity of these vineyards. The Vespex system’s baiting and trapping solutions have proven both effective and environmentally friendly. By targeting European wasps at every stage of their nest development, the system allows us to weaken colony numbers significantly while ensuring the safety of non-target species, such as bees.”
Mr Dunbabin also noted that the non-toxic nature of the lure was a notable benefit, for his customers and the wider ecosystem. “I would recommend the Vespex European Wasp System for anyone seeking an efficient, sustainable, and innovative solution to manage European wasp populations,” he added.
The effectiveness of the Vespex system extends beyond trapping; when the lure is mixed with an insecticide, it forms a toxic bait that can be used to control and eradicate wasps.
Sundew’s Mr Gregson explained, “Previously, pest managers would treat a nest with an insecticidal dust such as StarrdustPRO. Now, whether the nest can be located or not, pest managers can remotely eliminate colonies using the Vespex European Wasp Lure with Sundew EnsnarePRO 50 g/L indoxacarb SC to form a toxicant bait. This, in combination with Vespex Dominator Traps, ensures effective control at all stages of the wasp season.”
Some pest managers are taking their European wasp management to the next level by remotely baiting all nests – even those that are accessible – to reduce the overall risk. “This strategy eliminates the dangers associated with direct nest treatments, such as stings, falls from heights, or confined space hazards,” continued Mr Gregson.
One of the most exciting observations reported by users of the system is that in areas where Vespex baiting has been deployed and nests subsequently eliminated, communities are finding it is taking two to three years for European wasps to re-establish. This means that after elimination, pest managers can consider reverting to a simple trapping program to act as both a monitor and queen-trapping strategy, to keep the wasp numbers suppressed.
“Sundew is proud to be leading the way in research and product development to help eliminate this invasive pest,” said David Priddy, CEO of Sundew Solutions. “This is Australia’s first APVMA-approved remote baiting system. We have many more projects in development to expand the toolkit for pest managers tackling European wasps. There’s a lot more coming for pesties!
“By embracing innovative solutions like Vespex, pest managers are not only improving their service offerings but also playing a crucial role in reducing the impact of this invasive pest on Australia’s environment, agriculture, and communities.”
Pest managers looking to expand their service offering might consider offering wasp control services. Wasp queens can be targeted in both autumn (when young queens leave nests to mate and prepare for hibernation) and spring (when they emerge from hibernation to establish new nests), offering additional income either side of the busy summer season.
The Vespex European Wasp Accreditation program is available online on the Sundew Solutions website. The training takes under two hours to complete and provides pest managers with the knowledge and certification needed to use Vespex solutions effectively.
The Sundew Vespex range of European wasp control solutions is available for purchase from Agserv, David Grays, Garrards, and Globe.
“1st March 2025 – Published Professional Pest Manager magazine.”
