A shocking discovery was made in a rarely used spare room in a Winchester, Hampshire home. A staggering 5,000 wasps had built a massive nest, measuring 3ft wide and 1.5ft deep, in the bed.
The nest was still expanding, with the insects chewing through the mattress and pillows to construct their intricate home. Pest controller John Birkett was called to the scene and was astonished by the sheer scale of the nest.
“I’ve never seen anything like it in 45 years,” Birkett exclaimed. “The pillow was covered in this 3ft wasps’ nest, and the workers were still busy building. There must have been 5,000 wasps, and up to 700 queen wasps.”
The homeowner, who lives alone in the five-bedroom house, had not entered the spare bedroom for months. Her son discovered the nest when he opened the door, revealing a window that had been left open the entire time.
Birkett donned protective gear and used a specialized spray to clear the area, managing to rescue a beloved blanket in the process. Despite his success, he couldn’t help but admire the wasps’ handiwork.
“It was a work of art,” he said. “They had worked so hard. But the homeowner was adamant that it had to go.” Birkett’s mix of professionalism and empathy highlighted the complexity of dealing with unwanted creatures.
This unexpected invasion serves as a reminder of the importance of regular checks on our living spaces. Who knows what secrets our homes might hold?
