Siblings team up against wasps
A shared interest in protecting New Zealand’s native species has inspired Nelson siblings to join forces to wipe out invasive wasps.
Natalie Wallace and her brother Gary Andrews have registered to do their own wasp control operation on their properties in Wakapuaka as part of the Nelson Mail’s Wasp Wipeout campaign.
Wallace said wasps have been a ‘‘big problem’’ on her 2.8 hectare property, between Todds Valley and the Glenduan turnoff, since she moved there about 26 years ago.
She said she and her husband Graeme used to hunt wasp nests manually when they were doing earthworks in preparation for building their home. Back then, they used carbaryl powder, a general garden insecticide commonly used to control wasps.
Natalie said the wasps used to build their nests in the loose dirt. She would carry a torch and Graeme would deploy the carbaryl.
‘‘He had shorts on and they came straight out and he got stung on the legs,’’ Natalie said. ‘‘But we got rid of the nests.’’
However, the wasps have continued to return each summer.
After reading about the Wasp Wipeout project, Natalie talked To do your own wasp control operation in your community, street or backyard, you or someone in your group needs to become an approved Vespex user. This is to ensure the bait is used safely and correctly. – Visit the Vespex website merchento.com/vespex.html – Click on ‘Become An Approved User’ – Watch the Vespex video and read the information sheets – Complete the short online test – Apply for registration (there is a one-off registration fee of $66.70) – Order your Vespex bait and bait stations with her brother about doing their own wasp control operation using the protein-based Vespex bait.
‘‘We thought it’s a great idea, we don’t mind contributing to it and helping out. We’re all for getting rid of these pests,’’ she said. ‘‘We’ll certainly put bait stations all around our area.’’
Natalie said was inspired by the opportunity to make a real difference for New Zealand’s environment, particularly the native birds and honey bees.