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Office Invaded: Manager Dismantles Giant Wasp Nest
21 Oct
Summary
- Wasps inhabited a nature reserve manager's office for four months.
- The nest grew to wrap around binders and other office items.
- The manager dismantled the large nest after weeks of no wasp activity.
A nature reserve manager has successfully removed a large wasps' nest from her office after it was inhabited for approximately four months. Eilish Rothney, who manages the Trinity Broads at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, discovered the wasps upon returning from surveys in June. The nest had become a significant presence, wrapping around binders and other items on the office shelves.
Rothney began dismantling the nest on Tuesday, having observed no wasp activity for several weeks. This allowed her to carefully cut away the layers, eventually revealing hexagonal cells that once housed larvae. She noted that the nest's size, initially comparable to a paperback book in June, had grown considerably, with dozens of wasps entering and exiting daily at its peak.
Despite the unusual situation, Rothney expressed a philosophical view, seeing it as a tribute to accommodating nature. She stated that if the wasps return next summer, they would be welcome. She highlighted the crucial ecological role of wasps and other insects, emphasizing the importance of making space for wildlife, even those perceived as pests. The office's proximity to a pond and meadow likely provided the wasps with ample food and water resources, especially during a warm summer.
