Gardening can be fun and can involve the whole family, even the elderly who often have great skills to pass on to the youngsters. The results of gardening, especially if growing flowers, vegetables and herbs, can be very rewarding.
But when we get talking about good and bad insects in articles relating to gardening and how we should utilise these insects and not use pesticides, we find that information often posted in good faith is not always acceptable world-wide. Not all insects are universal favourites, especially if they are "aliens" in your country.
I was reading such an article, where it was stated that "bees and wasps are friends". Bees are necessary. It is not always true of wasps and other insects. Wasps are a threat here in Australia and are quite dangerous in some situations.
The three predators of concern in this article are:
Fire ants
Wasps
Bees,
TWO OF THESE IN AUSTRALIA, ARE BEING TARGETED FOR DESTRUCTION.
The European wasp is vicious and since its arrival in Australia, has quickly spread to the point where they have become dangerous in Australia. "The European wasp Vespula germanica is native to Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia. Our Australian records show that the European wasp first reached Tasmania in 1959, where it soon became well established. However, it was not until 1977 that the European wasp was first recorded on the mainland in Melbourne.
Unfortunately, the European wasp is here to stay in Australia and eradication of this pest is no longer an option. Despite early reports labelling it as a 'Killer Wasp', no human deaths have been recorded in Australia. However, we must learn to live with this nuisance or pest and take precautions when eating and playing outside."
Local councils here in Victoria now issue warnings and encourage householders to call the pest exterminators to remove their nests. Some councils even provide the service but in most cases, because wasps are so commonplace, they do not have the time or the staff to eradicate the plagues that often occur.
I have just recently been on holiday, travelling through northern parts of Victoria and there was seldom a safe place where you can sit outside with food and drink, without being bothered by wasps. They are most dangerous if they get into your can or bottle of drink, if you do not know they are there - children and adults are in danger of swallowing them. Unlike bees which string only once, wasps can repetitively sting and if in a swarm they can cause major concern.
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