You will start to see wasps flying around in the spring when the queens search for a site to establish a nest.

Typical nest sites include trees, cavities in buildings, underground, lofts and sheds. The queen builds a starter nest from wood pulp and saliva, from which she creates a kind of paper.

The wasps’ nest tends to be shaped like a rugby ball and is a grey colour.

The wasp nest and colony will increase in size throughout the summer until broken down just before autumn.

Wasps are likely to sting if they feel under threat or believe the nest will be attacked.

Wasps aren’t all bad. Their diet consists of other insect larvae, including flies. The problem is this their attraction to sugary foods. This is why they can be a nuisance around fruit trees, in pub gardens and at BBQs.