You've probably been living under a rock if you haven't been chased by a wasp in recent weeks.

They are rampant at the minute and causing a complete nuisance in certain parts of the country. 

At present, there are just two species of wasp in Ireland, the common wasp and the German wasp and right now, these social working wasps are free to roam and do as they please having spent the summer months ensuring the larvae in their nests have been fed.

According to the British Pest Control Association, the warm autumn weather could lengthen their lifespan causing more nuisance as they search for nectar and sugary foods to stay alive. Because of this, the BPCA has shared informative advice to help control the influx of wasps we have been seeing as of late. 

The British Pest Control Association's Top Tips

  1. Use peppermint.

    Wasps are repelled by peppermint, so they advise diluting a couple of drops of peppermint oil in water and spraying it where you frequently get wasps. They also advise planting peppermint in your garden. 

  2. Stay still.

    The association are reminding people not to flap their hands or arms in a panic as it can excite or even enrage wasps making it much more likely that you will get stung. They recommend you try not to make a fuss by staying calm and still, or by slowly walking away. 

  3. Avoid eating outdoors.

    At this time of year, wasps are desperate for a sugar fix. Snacks being eaten outdoors provide the perfect environment for wasps to thrive.

Wasps are attracted to certain colours, especially white and yellow.

A technical officer at BPCA, Natalie Bungay, said: "Homes and businesses can be affected by a wasp outbreak, particularly as people head outside for the summer season."

"Towards late August and going into September is the time when we can start to see drunken wasps, desperate for a sugar fix."

"This happens when the queen stops producing eggs and the workforce has nothing to do other than look for fermented fruits and sugars."

"Wasps quickly get inebriated and this is typically when you can expect them to be more aggressive and likely to sting"

Natalie added: "If snacks are eaten outdoors then food and drinks, as well as the natural environment, all provide an attractive place for wasps to thrive."

"A high level of wasp activity can be distressing and if someone is stung, or receives multiple stings, the presence of wasps can be seen as detrimental to public health."

"This particularly applies to children, elderly people, those with allergies and pets, who can be very sensitive to wasp stings."

"The matter becomes serious if a sting sends someone into anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction."

"Even if someone has been stung by a wasp before and not had a severe reaction, it doesn’t mean that they cannot have a bad reaction if stung again."

"Our advice is to encourage homes and businesses to dispose of rubbish properly, especially food with high sugar content. It should be securely contained in a bag and disposed of in a clean container."

Topics