A deadly wasp nest has been found inside an abandoned house with images of the massive ’empire’ hanging over a toilet going viral.
The pests’ hideout was discovered in a Healesville home 50km north of Melbourne with one alarmed expert calling it ‘the largest’ he has ever come across in the country.
Vision of the colossal nest was posted to social media this month by Dale Armel from DAP Pest Control who was called in to deal with the problem.
The pests’ hideout (pictured, above) was discovered in a Healesville home 50km north of Melbourne with one expert calling it ‘the largest’ he has ever come across in the country
Footage of the grey mass measuring one by 1.5 metres was seen suspended from a bathroom ceiling with wasps hovering around it.
It showed a toilet underneath the hanging pile with thousands of dead wasps on the floor in the dilapidated home.
Mr Armel said the nest full of carnivorous wasps was massive and deadly.
‘This is the largest European wasp nest I’ve ever come across in my pest control career,’ he said on social media.
‘This was a very dangerous situation – if any person or child came across this nest they could have been swarmed and stung repeatedly.
‘[It] had to be removed as soon as possible to ensure everyone’s safety.’
The seasoned pest controller said despite his experience eradicating vermin throughout his career, this job scared him.
He said he was attacked by the pests while taking three days to remove the nest.
The seasoned pest controller said despite his experience eradicating vermin throughout his career, this job (pictured) scared him
The pest eradicator said the nest in the abandoned home (pictured) harboured ‘thousands upon thousands’ of wasp over the months
‘The wasps are attracted to the carbon dioxide in your breath, which they register as a threat, and they attack,’ he told news.com.au.
He said the nest had been growing since at least September, 2021 when it had been discovered resembling a basketball.
Mr Armel added it was a home to ‘thousands upon thousands’ of the insects over the months.
The huge size and its warmer location indoors meant it was a multi-seasonal nest that could have harbored a continual population expansion.
The insects were able to stay warm inside so the queens likely hibernated within the nest.
‘That means they could start laying and hatching new eggs immediately come spring, so we’re talking an absolutely huge population with absolutely no break in how much it can expand.’
It showed a toilet underneath the pile with thousands of dead wasps on the floor and bathroom sink in the dilapidated home
The wasps – which feast on other insects – can be aggressive to humans as they nest and scavenge for food near homes.
They are known to be a destructive and invasive pest in Australia but are a protected species in the northern hemisphere.
‘Usually this species build their nest underground so to see the detail of this [one] is truly incredible, a once in a lifetime opportunity’ he said on social media.
Mr Armel was able to video the extraordinary footage at close range because he had exterminated a large majority of the wasps the week before.
But there were stages to the extermination which left a number of stray insects buzzing about in the video.
‘I don’t recommend anyone to approach a nest of any size unless they are a trained professional,’ he added.
European wasps construct their homes with organic matter – first building an inner layer of comb to hold their larvae.
European wasps are known to be a destructive and invasive pest in Australia but are a protected species in the northern hemisphere
Then they make the outer layer seen in the shocking footage using a mixture of saliva and wooden fibres.
The insects create holes for exit and entry points and for ventilation.
The post of the critters inside the home went viral on social media with some fascinated by the nest construction.
‘Not a fan of wasps but I admire their nest engineering. This is a work of art,’ a commenter said.
‘It truly is amazing,’ said another, while the post led another to ask, ‘What if bro needs the toilet?’
But others were freaked out by the mammoth nest comparing it to a ‘Resident evil 7 house’.
‘Is that the wasp equivalent to the Roman Empire?’ another online user asked about the nest.
