Braidwood’s residents are being asked to look out for European wasps’ nests before wasps go into hibernation for the winter.

During this period, the queen will lay eggs, meaning wasps will return with renewed bite come each summer, in the form of greater numbers.

European wasps have been spreading increasingly in the Braidwood region in the past few years. A pest species, the wasps arrived in Australia in the 1980s.

It may seem like they’re buzzing about you all summer, but at different times of the year they’re after either protein or sugar.

When they’re on the hunt for protein, you may find them bothering you at a barbecue, or charmingly, enjoying the bugs on your windscreen.

When the wasps are after sugar, they pose a real risk to children enjoying sweat summer treats.

LLS is encouraging residents of the town to exterminate wasps’ nests on their property, either through a professional pest controller, or over the counter products.

They themselves have been victims, finding a nest on the LLS building in Braidwood.

Wasps don’t travel far, so if you see a European was in your backyard, or your workplace, it’s likely there’s a nest within 500 metres.

The Facebook group ‘Wasp Free Town – Braidwood’ has a similar aim, hoping to eliminate wasps by concerted community action. It is also seeking to build up a picture of wasps’ nests in the town. 

Have you seen a wasps’ nest? To help us build up a map of wasps’ nests in town, let us know at Braidwood@fairfaxmedia.com.au