Wasp nest

[Suzanne B]

We found this wasp nest in our shed last Saturday and as it was quite small decided we should move it before it got out of hand. So we did this and nothing happened until today when we found another one in the making in exactly the same spot.
We moved this one as well but my question is how can we stop it building another one in our shed?
As fascinating as they are, unfortunately it is right beside the door and as a family we are not good around wasps at the best of times so having a potential 'swarm' so close is something we do not relish.
Any ideas?
And also does anyone know what type of wasp it is?
And lastly, is it early for wasps this year as I generally don't remember seeing them till late summer.

First wasp nest


Second wasp nest







Thanks

[goosey]

What great images, especially as we are able to see the wasp, the nest in actual developement and the cells in progress. I see in the first image of the completed nest it has an umbrella like structure over the top, I suppose to keep the ellements off if it were outside.

I am sorry I can't answer any of your questions though except to say I have seen wasps this year in the garden which is far as I can remember is a first. Even though the weather seems to have put off alot of insects as the plants weren't up as early as usual at the beginning of spring the wasps were active the first week on April which I did myself think was early,when I am out and about I usually see them in high summer.

[sebastianbawn]

Hi Suzanne. Great shots! I would say it is more likely the German wasp Vespula germanica as I can see a black dot on the face.

There are two very similar ones in the UK the Common and the German wasp. The common wasp has a small black 'anchor' shape on the face and the German wasp has 3 small black dots on the face. Hope it helps

[Suzanne B]

Thanks goosey and Sebastian.
It does look more like the german wasp doesn't it with a definate dot on its head. I've zoomed in on the photo but can still only make out one dot and not three which makes me a bit unsure. Do they sometimes only have one dot? I shall also have a look on the internet to see if I can find out any more.

Well, we went up again today (I forgot my camera!!!!....don't know how that happened its usually glued to my hand!) and it was back and just making the core bit that joins onto the ceiling. So once again we removed it and I had a brainwave (I hope) of smearing vapour rub where it had been and on the crack of the door where I think it's coming in. It flew back in almost immediately but went straight back out, it did this intermittently for about 15 minutes and then didn't come back. So, we now have our fingers crossed that it will find somewhere else to make its home.

Apparently it's a solitary queen wasp that makes her nest in the spring, makes 20 to 30 cells, lays her eggs and before you know it you have a colony of 3000 wasps!!

[The Woodman]

Then one egg in each cell will give you 20 - 30 wasplets?

[Suzanne B]

Hi woodman, sorry I have no idea about the eggs and wasplets , I just got my info off wikipedia....... so I left it as vague as possible.

And here's a little update on the wasp nest ....... So far it has still not returned.
I've checked all round the shed and have found no evidence of a nest. Hopefully it has now moved to pastures new and far away.
Thanks all for your help.
(And remember if you spot a nest in its early stages whip out your vapour rub and apply liberally! )

[jaytee]

I have used ant powder in the past, seems to work!