Find a Wasp Pest Control Company in Auckland
Wasp pest control and wasp nest removal services are commonly required by homeowners and businesses in the Auckland area, especially in Summer and early Autumn. With the invasive European wasp a serious health threat, it is best to engage a professional wasp exterminator, as they have all the protective gear and specialist wasp products to deal with the nest quickly and safely.
Wasp Pest Control Auckland - Find a Wasp Exterminator
New Zealand have a few native wasps, but they only build small nests. However, there are 4 species of invasive wasps that build large nests and are a significant threat to human and animal safety – European wasp (German and common wasp), Asian paper wasp and Australian wasp.
Dealing with European wasp nests can be very challenging as they are particularly dangerous. Their nest location can also make treatment difficult – 80% of European wasp nest are underground. The above ground nests can also be difficult to treat as their nest only has a single small opening in which to apply a treatment. Professional wasp exterminators will have the right equipment to apply products to all nest types and the full safety clothing for protection against stings.
Although you may have a wasp problem on your property, the wasp nest may not be on your property. Good wasp exterminators will be able to use wasp baits to eliminate these difficult to locate nests.
Wasp Nest Removal
Once a treatment has been completed, most pest managers will attempt wasp nest removal. Asian and Australian paper wasp nests are generally easy to remove, however European wasp nests can be more of a problem. Underground nests are generally left in place and some above ground nests can be difficult to remove (eg. in wall voids). Depending on the location of the wasp nest, the pest manager may charge extra for wasp nest removal.
When choosing a pest manager, look for companies experienced in wasp control, nest location and removal, and check they use the necessary safety equipment.
How to Choose the Best Wasp Pest Control in Auckland?
If your friends cannot recommend a wasp exterminator, we recommend using our checklist below to help find a quality pest control company.
(Professional Pest Manager does not recommend or endorse any particular wasp pest control company.)
Pest control company locator coming on line soon!
Check their Qualifications
Make sure the pest manager has the appropriate training. There isn’t a license per se, but they should have an appropriate certificate to show they have completed the appropriate training.
There are three training certificates which comply with requirements:
- New Zealand Certificate in Pest Operations (Level 3, Urban Pest Control) – the current training qualification
- National Certificate in Urban Pest Management (Level 2) – the previous training qualification
- Three core units from the Australian Pest Management Qualification – CPP30911 Certificate III in Pest Management
Many pest managers are also members of the industry organisation PMANZ (Pest Management Association of New Zealand). To become members there are additional criteria and so using a PMANZ member can provide additional protection over using a non-member.
Confirm they are Insured
Qualifications and insurance are two separate things. A pest manager may have the qualifications to carry out the work but they may not be insured to carry out the work. Without insurance, if anything goes wrong, you are not protected.
Make sure their insurance covers pest work. The pest control company needs to provide you with a copy of their insurance if requested.
Check out their online reviews
If you haven’t received a recommendation from a friend, checking out their online reviews is the next best thing.
Ask about the details of their wasp treatment?
Ask them about the products they use. They should use insecticide sprays for exposed nest and normally insecticide powders for European wasp nest treatments, which they blow into the nest. Ask them if they use wasp baits (for nests that cannot be located or may be on other properties).
As them about what safety precautions they will take – both for themselves and to keep people and pets out of the area.
Ask them whether they will remove the nest and if so, is it included in the price.
Common types of wasp in Auckland
In Auckland, the four main species of pest wasps are all invasive wasps. The main wasp of concern, the European wasp, is a general description for two very similar wasps – the German wasp and common or English wasp. There are two other paper wasps which build open wasp nests of up to a few hundred individuals, the Australian paper wasp and the Asian paper wasp (which looks similar to the European wasps.
European wasp
The European wasp described two species of very similar looking wasps – the German wasp, Vespula germanica and the common wasp, Vespula vulgaris. Both are present in Auckland.
In the cold winters of the northern hemisphere, the nests generally die off during winter, but in Auckland the nests often survive winter and continue to grow, year on year. As a results the nests can get massive and contain up to 100,000 individuals!
80% of European wasp nest are found underground, inside hollows in raised banks.
Australian paper wasp
Australian paper wasps have a red brown, yellow and black colouration. Their nests have an open structure and tend to be suspended on a single stalks in sheltered positions (on buildings and under large leaves). Large nests only have a few hundred individuals. They are not particularly aggressive but will attack when disturbed.
Asian paper wasp
The Asia paper wasp looks superficially similar to the European wasps. The easiest way to tell the difference is the colour of the antennae – the Asia paper wasp has yellow / orange antennae, the European wasps have black antennae.
There are also differences in the nest structure. The Asia paper wasp has an open nest structure like the Australian paper wasp. Mature above ground European wasp nests are completely enclosed in a paper shroud.
Wasp Pest Control Prices in Auckland
Wasp control pricing in Auckland varies depending on the species of wasp, nest location (accessibility), nest size and number of nests. Typically European wasp nest treatments take longer due to the method used, larger size and increased danger.
Typical pricing in Auckland:
• Standard wasp nest treatment: $120–$250
• Difficult‑access nests (roof voids, heights): $200–$350
• Multiple nests: Additional charges may apply
More information on pest control Auckland.