• Wasp population increased on last few years
  • Swarms hit UK three weeks later than usual
  • Long winter allowed wasps to hibernate, while late summer provided abundant food
  • Dog almost died in Dundee after suffering more than 130 wasp stings

By Ellie Buchdahl

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If you thought this glorious late summer sunshine was a perfect occasion for picnics, think again.

A plague of wasps has struck Britain - and they're heading for a hamper near you.

Experts today warned that the late spring and long winter have allowed the stinging insects a long and undisturbed hibernation.

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Attack: Billions of wasps are hitting Britian as the late summer brings them abundant food supplies

Attack: Billions of wasps are hitting Britian as the late summer brings them abundant food supplies

Experts said that after a few bad years for wasps caused by a run of dreary, wet summers, this year's conditions had given the creatures a boost - contributing to a population explosion that is only starting to unleash its full effect.

Billions of the airborne menaces are emerging from their nests and taking to the skies for their annual feeding frenzy around three weeks later than in previous years.

A bumper crop of fruit this year is likely to keep the creatures going until they either die or go into hibernation after the Autumn.

And with plenty of insects to feed on and a dry end to the summer - not to mention all those sugary drinks lying around by people making the most of a sunny end to the summer holidays - the wasps are more than making up for their late arrival.

Victim: Susan Bruce with her seven-year-old Cocker Spaniel Betty, who were both attacked by a swarm of wasps

Victim: Susan Bruce with her seven-year-old Cocker Spaniel Betty, who were both attacked by a swarm of wasps

A swarm nearly claimed the life of one cocker spaniel in Tentsmuir Forest near Fife Scotland.

The seven-year-old dog, named Betty, went into anaphylactic shock when she was stung more than 130 times.

Owner Susan Bruce, 35, who is a vet with the PDSA animal charity in Dundee, said: 'It was terrifying. They really went for Betty. There were so many that she was completely covered.

'We tried to outrun them, but they got hold of Betty. There were so many wasps in her coat.

Danger zones: the UKWaspWatch site shows London as the area of the UK worst hit by wasps this year


 

'We tried to fight them off but they stung us too. It was particularly bad for Betty and she collapsed at the side of the path.'

Betty survived after being rushed to the vet, where she was treated with strong steroids and spent the night under observation.

When the vets later posted details of the incident on their Facebook page, several people replied, saying they had also been attacked by wasps.

The hotspot for wasps appears to be in London, according to pest controller Rentokil, which has set up an interactive website to allow users to log wasp sightings and rate them by severity.

Swarm: The insects are amassing in greater numbers and later than in previous years

Swarm: The insects are amassing in greater numbers and later than in previous years

The capital is followed by Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester and the South West of England, according to the UKWaspWatch site.

Stuart Roberts, chairman of the Bee, Wasps and Ants Recording Society, said: 'Only four weeks ago I was being asked where all the wasps had gone.

'Firstly, we had a really cold winter which meant that hibernation was more successful than usual.

'The worst thing the wasp queen can have is a warm winter because they fidget and use up the food reserves. I suspect this has had an effect on mortality.

Sticking around: The wasps are likely to remain on the scene until the end of the Autumn, when they die or go into hibernation

Sticking around: The wasps are likely to remain on the scene until the end of the Autumn, when they die or go into hibernation

'And of course, we have had some quite reasonable weather this year.

'This year I would say the wasps - like everything else in the insect world - are about three weeks late because of the lateness of Spring.

'The late Spring, I suspect, has meant they have just stayed in hibernation for longer, and have been delayed by the cold weather.

'And simply, a warmer drier summer is good for wasps because for a start if you have got a really dreary winter, the queen can't get hold of the food and you get massive mortality.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Four wasp nests this year plus a bunch of random teenage wasps loitering with intent. I hate them, they make a bee line for me (haha). They are evil.

Why wont my message post???

There is some very selfish do gooders here! Some people have luck of not attracting wasps, good for you, but dont for a sec think we all have it that nice. I for example can not go anywhere without the little parasites getting in my hair. They buzz around my face and land on me if I dont move. They are known to randomly sting people for NO reason... Fact! They serve a purpose in farming areas but within urban communities, the little parasites need destroying. They are malicious, vindictive, horrible creatures. For some they dont bother them but for some like myslef they torment the hell out of and spoil my summer. I dont think some people understand that. Bees are not aggressive for no reason and dont buzz around you irritatingly, so throwing bees into the argument is pathetic and pointless! Ones a parasite with little purpose and ones a very needed part of the ecosystem in many ways!

There is some very selfish do gooders here! Some people have luck of not attracting wasps, good for you, but dont for a sec think we all have it that nice. I for example can not go anywhere without the little parasites getting in my hair. They buzz around my face and land on me if I dont move. They are known to randomly sting people for NO reason... Fact! They serve a purpose in farming areas but within urban communities, the little parasites need destroying. They are malicious, vindictive, horrible creatures. For some they dont bother them but for some like myslef they torment the hell out of and spoil my summer. I dont think some people understand that. Bees are not aggressive for no reason and dont buzz around you irritatingly, so throwing bees into the argument is pathetic and pointless! Ones a parasite with little purpose and ones a very needed part of the ecosystem in many ways!

I know it's true. I just got stung on the neck while waiting for a bus.

I work at an Airfield in Wiltshire and we've had loads of wasps for the last 3/4 weeks. We've managed to capture and kill hundreds of them by putting out jars with a small amount of a sweet mixture of jam, sugar and water and a hole in the lid. They get in but can't get out.

The wasps are getting a hard, with no positive comments compared to the bees. I'm sure this wouldn't be the case if Dreamworks had produced The Wasp animated movie starring a cute, cuddly wasp. Bees are equally evil... - Dundonian Kev , Dundee. Fancy meeting up for a beer in the toon to discuss this further?

Re Shirley of Lonxons offering. Could it be that your husband had driven over a Hedgehog as opposed to "having driven through a swarm of wasps?". I was under the impression that it's the bee that dies when it's stung someone as when it flies off it leaves it's sting embedded within the flesh of the person it has stung and also the small bag of poison that continues to pump into the victim. The Wasp on the other hand can sting more than once and eventually escape without dieing as the sting is still intact as the wasp doesn't have a Barb on it's sting, "unlike the Bee". I suppose that the Wasps could be slightly different in Lonxon but doubt it very much for lot's of reasons. Nature Boy. Nottingham. UK

The wasps are getting a hard, with no positive comments compared to the bees. I'm sure this wouldn't be the case if Dreamworks had produced The Wasp animated movie starring a cute, cuddly wasp. Bees are equally evil...

FACT: Only the FEMALE wasp stings..... just saying.... doesn't change anything... just saying.... that's all...... yeah YOU know what I'm saying, right....

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