When seven-year-old Evie Clark was stung by a horde of aggressive European wasps at the rec ground in Braidwood a couple of weeks ago, the outcome could have been tragic.
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Doctors who treated Evie at the Canberra Hospital after her evacuation, said the hundreds of stings contained about as much venom as being bitten by a brown snake. Evie, fortunately, is making a good recovery.
Local weather watcher Roger Hosking says that, in our climate, European wasp nests can grow for months longer and be much larger than in Europe.
The wasps are aggressive and a potential danger to anyone in their vicinity. While they won't usually attack without provocation, a slight disturbance to their nest, often accidental from normal gardening activities, can be sufficient to result in an attack.
Unlike bees, which sting only once, there is no limit to the number of times a wasp can sting and multiple stings can cause an allergic reaction.
If stung, a coldpack can relieve the pain, as can - anecdotally - the application of Listerine (the original, light brown formula). It is vital that if an allergic reaction is suspected, medical treatment is sought immediately.
The Department of Primary Industries advises that a nest can grow to "the size of a football", although it is possible that they can be much larger.
If a nest is located on council land, mark the spot and notify QPRC immediately, giving details of the location. If the nest is on private land, do not attempt to destroy it, but keep clear and contact a professional pest controller.