Apart from the fact that wasps sting and bite (It is estimated that between 4 to 8 out of every 1000 people are at serious risk from wasp stings), they can also cause other problems. Wasps scavenge in faeces, which means they are prime carriers of disease, especially where they come into contact with human food. During nest building, wasps cause damage to timber and trees which they use for making their wood pulp paper nests. Wasps will attack bee hives and kill bees. In late summer and throughout autumn, wasps do untold damage to fruit crops.

Despite its reputation as a villain, the wasp in itself is not all bad because wasps play an important role in controlling other harmful pests. It is only when the wasp nest reaches the end of its life cycle (when the queen stops laying new eggs) that the wasps are no longer being fed by the nest itself, it needs to feed itself. At this point the wasps become a pest!

Whilst looking for a substitute to the food the wasp nest once provided (a sweet sticky liquid), the wasp begins to forage for itself. At this point the wasp comes into conflict with humans and being hunters by nature, wasps are all too ready to sting to get their food - especially when it is a tasty ice cream or a beer!

There are all sorts of 'old-wives-tales' about how you can prevent wasps invading your garden, picnic or BBQ, but the Gardeners Club has discovered a great new product which is the result of years of hard work and experimentation - the WaspBane Wasp Trap. Visit the WasBane Wasp Trap website to find out more about wasps and the trap by clicking their logo below - remember you can buy this great product from the 'Club Shop' by clicking the link at the very bottom of the page.