Warning over ‘drunk’ wasps gorging on rotten fruit and going on stinging rampages in UK beauty spot

SWARMS of aggressive and “drunk” wasps have been terrorising a UK beauty spot with residents urged to “watch out”. The stinging insects were found to be feasting on fermenting fruit in the area. Wasps are essential pollinators – but can attack when inebriated Credit: Westend61 The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has warned families in East Riding to avoid disturbing wasps and their nests – as the drunken insects are more likely to attack. Worker wasps in the area were found to be eating fermented fruit, causing them to become inebriated and more aggressive. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! As a result, Natalie Bungay, head of membership and technical at BPCA, said: “Like bees and hornets, wasps are pollinators and, where possible, are best left alone.” Instead, she advised that locals who may come across a wasp nest in a high-traffic area should assess whether it may need to be removed, and if so, to contact a BPCA member for support. Drunken wasps are a known phenomenon in the late summer, where the sugar-hungry pests seek out rotten produce to feast on. Bungay said: “This happens when the queen stops producing eggs and the workforce has nothing to do other than look for fermented fruits and sugars. “Wasps quickly get inebriated and this is typically when you can expect them to be more aggressive and likely to sting.” The elderly and young children tend to be more at risk from these angry insects – with more potential complications stemming from the stings and anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Most read in The Sun Residents have been told to dispose of rubbish properly, especially food with a high sugar content, to limit encounters with the drunken beings. They have also been reminded that it’s important not to bat or swipe away at the wasps, as this tends to antagonise them even more. This comes after drunk seagulls caused traffic chaos in Lowestoft and Aldeburgh, as a result of munching on swarms of flying ants. The woozy gulls were spotted “stumbling” around and staggering into the road, particularly in Suffolk coastal towns. Comment now