Fighting them in the beeches

Answers to all your questions about this community-led conservation project.

What is Wasp Wipeout?

In short, Wasp Wipeout is a community-led conservation project aimed at significantly reducing German and common wasp populations in the worst affected areas of New Zealand this summer. It began as a pilot project in the Nelson region last year, supported by the Nelson Mail and Stuff as well as the Department of Conservation, local conservation groups, businesses scientists and members of the community. This year it has expanded to include parts of the Coromandel, Canterbury and the Marlborough Sounds which have high infestations of wasps.

Yeah, but how does the project work?

We’re taking a three-pronged approach. You can donate money to support existing and new wasp control operations at various locations, including national parks and popular reserves. You can register your interest to learn more and potentially volunteer for specific projects. Or, you can DIY by doing your own wasp control operation in your community, street or backyard by joining forces with family, friends and neighbours. Where does my money go? All donations go to the Tasman Environment Trust, which will distribute the funds to continue existing wasp control operations in places like Abel Tasman and Nelson Lakes national parks, and support new ones around the country.

Why are you focussing on wasps?

Anyone who’s had a wasp encounter knows how nasty they can be. The German and common wasps are major pests and pose serious threats to our environment, economy and wellbeing. Parts of New Zealand are particularly vulnerable because of the warm climate and expansive beech forests. Also, the remarkably successful wasp bait, Vespex, was developed in New Zealand and has been approved for public use. How do you control wasps? A protein-based bait called Vespex, developed in Nelson, is currently the most effective method of widespread wasp control. Vespex is deployed in bait stations at a specific time — usually around mid-February — once the German and common wasps have switched to a protein diet. The wasps take the bait back to the colony and the nest is usually wiped out overnight.

But aren’t insecticides bad?

Vespex is lowtoxicity bait that’s not at all attractive to bees and is of very low risk to birds, pets and people. Any leftover bait is collected and removed from the environment within a week. There is a stewardship programme for Vespex which requires people to watch an educational video and undergo a short test in order to become an approved user. Vespex also has the support of the Department of Conservation, Landcare Research and the World Wildlife Fund. Some of New Zealand’s top scientists are working on biological controls for wasps, but until then, Vespex is the best tool we’ve got. More on Vespex https:/ /www.merchento.com/vespex_ faq.html here. What’s the goal? We’d love to tell you that the goal is to wipe out wasps from New Zealand entirely, but with close to a million hectares of beech forest in the South Island alone, that’s just not possible — yet. The goal is to put a serious dent in their populations in popular recreation and urban areas that have high wasp numbers. It is entirely possible to create wasp-free areas from midFebruary (when the wasps take the bait), proven by trials across the South Island last year that resulted in 95-100 per cent reductions in wasp numbers. Who’s going to do the work? Department of Conservation staff and volunteers are taking the lead on the larger wasp control operations with the support of community pest control groups. You can organise your own wasp control programme in your community, street or backyard. What about paper wasps? Asian and Australian paper wasps are also major pests, but unfortunately Vespex doesn’t work on them and there is no other method of widespread control. You can purchase over-the-counter insecticides to target individual nests.

Why’s a media organisation getting involved with conservation?

Media organisations have always covered conservation issues. Wasp Wipeout is a new approach in that the Nelson Mail and Stuff are driving a regional conservation project. Nelson regional editor Victoria Guild saw an opportunity to make a difference in the areas that we live, work and love by helping to protect the environment and enhance people’s quality of life. It’s all underpinned by solid reporting on an issue that impacts on our environment, economy and wellbeing — what we do best.

If you have more questions, please feel free to email newsdesk@nelsonmail.co.nz and we’ll do our best to answer them.