Concern for children over big wasp nest in Shoebury

A HUGE wasp nest is causing alarm in Shoebury.

It is in a tree in the middle of the Renown shopping centre, off Constable Way. At least two shoppers have been stung.

Despite the hot weather, shop staff have been forced to work behind closed doors.

Traders have contacted Southend Council about the nest, but the authority’s response has left shop owners fuming.

Danielle Richards, who works at Kingfishers fish and chip shop, said: “I rang the council asking it to remove it because with Friars Primary School, play- school and shops here, it is a real health hazard.

“But the council told me it wouldn’t deal with it. I have a five-year-old daughter who goes to Friars and where it is can be quite easily reached by children, so it is making me worried a child will get stung next.

“There are literally hundreds of wasps flying around. It’s crazy.”

Andrew Joannow, manager at the shop, said it was concerning everyone walking through or working in the centre.

He added: “It is a huge nest, just hanging there from a tree.

“One lady came into the shop saying she’d been stung and we helped to treat the sting.

“The wasps are swarming and flying about everywhere. It’s very worrying, particularly with a school so close.”

Comments(11)

maxell says...
9:33pm Wed 30 May 12

wait until dark then throw a pertrol soaked rag over the nest they hate the smell

billericay boy says...
9:56pm Wed 30 May 12

Caterpillars, wasps nest, is this news it's that time of year don't phone the council just call a pest control company cost about 60 quid job done

tonyage43 says...
10:19pm Wed 30 May 12

This is the second infestation catastrophe today. First there was the caterpillars surrounding the house in Basildon, now this....what's going on?

emcee says...
10:55pm Wed 30 May 12

Actually a wasps nest can be very dangerous. If it is in the open like that and in a well used public space the wasps could get very annoyed by the din people make and they could go on the attack. You only have to have someone with Anaphylaxis get stung and there could be a serious situation. People who have never knowingly suffered Anaphylaxis in the past can suddenly go into shock from a single sting and it could kill if the victim or those called to assist do not know what they are doing.
Also, if they swarm then everybody is fare game.
One sting alone might hurt but get stung many times and, again, we are looking at a dangerous situation.
This is clearly a public safety issue and the council should be absolutely responsible for the destruction of this nest.

Max Impact says...
11:20pm Wed 30 May 12

Who owns the land the tree is on, if it is on private land than the land owner will be responsible.

Lefty Cyclist Type says...
6:50am Thu 31 May 12

tonyage43 wrote:
This is the second infestation catastrophe today. First there was the caterpillars surrounding the house in Basildon, now this....what's going on?
It's called 'nature'.

Hagrace says...
8:15am Thu 31 May 12

It costs about £40 to clear a nest. How about all the shops club together to get rid?

emcee says...
12:30pm Thu 31 May 12

Max Impact wrote:
Who owns the land the tree is on, if it is on private land than the land owner will be responsible.
This is true. I assumed it was public land (council responsibility) but it could, indeed, be corporately or privately owned. Either way, this nest is a safety issue and should be removed by the landlords, who are entirely responsible.

The Cater Wood Creeper says...
12:54pm Thu 31 May 12

tonyage43 wrote:
This is the second infestation catastrophe today. First there was the caterpillars surrounding the house in Basildon, now this....what's going on?
it'll be a plague of frogs or locusts

The Cater Wood Creeper says...
11:52am Fri 1 Jun 12

maybe they could persuade an infestation of caterpillars to form a ring around the nest then the poor fwightened ickle waspies would be too scared to go outside....

CALL ME CLINT says...
5:21pm Sat 2 Jun 12

tonyage43 wrote:
This is the second infestation catastrophe today. First there was the caterpillars surrounding the house in Basildon, now this....what's going on?
Nothing. I think that's the problem.

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