Massive ‘deadly’ wasp nest found in Melbourne home

A deadly wasp nest has been discovered hidden in a Melbourne home, with a pest control expert saying the monster was the biggest he’d ever seen.

A massive, deadly wasp nest has been discovered inside a Melbourne home, as the pest control expert who took the monster down claims it was the largest he has ever seen.

In a now-viral video, the one metre by 1.5 metre, mushroom-shaped nest can be seen suspended from the walls and ceiling of a bathroom inside an abandoned property in Healesville.

“This is the largest European wasp nest I’ve ever come across in my pest control career,” said Dale Armel, owner of DAP Pest Control, who was brought in to eradicate the behemoth.

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A massive wasp nest has been discovered inside a Melbourne home, which a pest control expert says could have been ‘deadly’. Picture: Tiktok/@DAPPestControl

The nest – which had been growing since at least September 2021, when it was first spotted as a basketball-sized structure – was likely home to “thousands upon thousands” of wasps, Mr Armel estimated.

“The multiple stages of treatment exterminated the wasps, so I can safely approach and demolish the nest,” he says in the clip, as dozens of stray wasps can be seen flying nearby.

Due to its colossal size, which Mr Armel thought could be the largest in Australia, he guessed the nest had likely survived multiple seasons.

While European wasp nests usually go dormant in winter, Mr Armel told news.com.au this one was protected from the cold and so could have been expanding for several years.

The nest’s age and size meant it was likely harbouring thousands of generations of wasps. Picture: Tiktok/@DAPPestControl

Its age and size meant the nest could have harboured an ever-expanding population of wasps, he said.

“It was inside where the wasps could stay warm, so the queens likely hibernated within the nest,” Mr Armel said.

“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.”

European wasps are a protected species in parts of the northern hemisphere but in Australia, they’re considered destructive and invasive.

Most of the wasps were exterminated, but several can be seen buzzing. Picture: Tiktok/@DAPPestControl

Thousands of wasp bodies litter the floor. Picture: Tiktok/@DAPPestControl

“Unfortunately, we find European wasps being aggressive towards humans because they nest and scavenge for food nearby to our homes,” Mr Armel said of the carnivorous wasps, which feast on native insects.

A large-scale attack could be “deadly”, he added, saying: “This was a very dangerous situation. If any person or child came across this nest, they could have been swarmed and stung repeatedly.”

The huge infestation took three days of treatment to remove, during which Mr Armel was swarmed by the pests several times. Thousands of wasp bodies can be seen in the clip, littering the bathroom floor.

“The wasps are attracted to the carbon dioxide in your breath, which they register as a threat, and they attack,” he explained.

“After doing this so many times, I don’t really get scared anymore. But this one, this one scared me.”

European wasps construct their nests, usually underground, by amassing layers of saliva and organic matter. An inner comb holds thousands of eggs and larvae, while an intricate outer structure allows the wasps to move between their home and the outside world.

An inner comb houses thousands of white eggs, seen here. Picture: YouTue@DAPPestControl

The nest was so huge it had eaten into the wall. Picture: YouTube/@DAPPestControl

The nest was so huge, the wasps had even burrowed into the walls of the house to occupy more space.

“To see the detail in this nest was truly incredible,” Mr Armel said. “A once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Viewers took to the comment section to express terror over the size of the nest.

“Oh hell naw! That’s their house now!” one wrote.

“If I saw that I be switching PLANETS,” quipped another.

Others admired the wasps’ admittedly dazzling handiwork.

“Not a fan of wasps but I admire their nest engineering. This is a work of art,” one viewer said.

“It truly is amazing,” Mr Armel agreed.

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