The picturesque landscapes of Yarra Valley often conjure images of rolling vineyards and peaceful farmland.

However, for one mum and farmer, this idyllic setting recently became the backdrop for a harrowing encounter.

A 33-year-old mum managing a 20-acre property shared her painful ordeal online.

She recounted how a routine task on her farm turned into a nightmare.

'I was harrowing horse poo before Saturday's predicted rain,' the woman prefaced.

'It's a nice, empty, flat paddock with zero long grass as it had just been grazed.'

The woman encountered a swarm of European wasps while cleaning her land. Image Credit: Agriculture Victoria

'I was pottering along at about 8 km/h and hadn't noticed any wasps hanging around when all of a sudden I was swarmed,' she continued on.

As the wasps descended upon her, she immediately ran as fast as she could.

'They'd gotten down my shirt, so I ripped my shirt off as I was running, and my hat and hair tie has come off in the process,' she recounted during the interview.

'I just kept running until the only ones left were the ones tangled in my hair, which were repeatedly stinging my head.'

The aftermath left the majority of the stings on her back.

Four other stings on her arm caused significant swelling.

She also suffered stings on her head, face, and stomach.

She first opted for first-aid home remedies like ice, calamine lotion, and homoeopathic treatments.

However, she also experienced concerning symptoms, such as a heavy feeling in her chest and prolonged diarrhoea.

These symptoms were her body's reactions to the wasps' venom.

'The pain was immediate and intense,' she recalled.

Her story was a reminder of a hidden danger lurking beneath the surface: European wasps.

The European wasp, or Vespula germanica, is an invasive species in Australia.

These wasps are known for their aggressive behaviour and ability to sting multiple times.

This non-native pest can be seen in various parts of Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Western Australia.

The European wasps also pose a significant threat to local ecosystems and humans.

In light of her experience, she became more cautious around her property, especially since she often had her three children with her.

She later sought medical advice for the stings and bought EpiPens as a precautionary measure.

European wasp nests may differ in appearance, depending on the area. Image Credit: Agriculture Victoria

After recovering from the stings, she immediately investigated her property and discovered two more wasp nests.

The dry conditions of the year had exacerbated the problem, as cracks on the ground became ideal nesting sites for the wasps.

The Department of Health in Victoria advised property owners about the best way to deal with wasps.

Locate and eradicate the nests using appropriate insecticides, preferably when the wasps are less active—either early morning or at night.

They also recommended availing of professional pest control services.

This incident serves as a reminder for property owners and outdoor enthusiasts about the dangers that could be hidden in plain sight.

Key Takeaways

• A mum suffered injuries after being attacked by a swarm of European wasps on her property.
• Non-native European wasps are considered pests in Australia and could sting victims multiple times.
• The victim managed her symptoms at home but later went to her GP due to concerning symptoms, including a heavy feeling in her chest and diarrhoea.
• The Department of Health in Victoria recommended locating wasp nests and eradicating them with insecticide, as well as calling professionals for assistance if necessary.

Have you ever encountered a wasp nest on your property? Perhaps you have had other encounters with pests at home. We encourage you to share your own experiences and tips for dealing with such threats in the comments below.

 

[MelanieJune]

Owwww… a very painful way to detox. All wasps sting multiple times. The lady must’ve had some kind of scent on her. I hope she is better now. Awful experience.

 

[Jellybeans]

Many years ago 2 of my dogs must have disturbed a nest in the bush on our 40 hectare property. I spotted them running across the back paddock stopping every 15 or so metres to roll over. I had to brush the last ones off and race them a 45min drive to the vet as one had definitely been bitten in the mouth.

 

[darrellh]

They are dangerous things, we were stung on our property in Casuarina WA so always on the lookout for them.

 

[Sherril54]

Yes, only last week I was hit on the shoulder by one. I`d disturbed a nest in our only mango tree. It felt like a burn at first and the pain went right through to the front of my shoulder, after dowsing with white vinegar it start to ease. I have noticed that there are a few around our home and will be dealing with them.

 

[HelenC]

I was stung as a small child - no reaction, but again as a teen in the UK on the wrist - the wasp got caught in the cuff of my jacket, so stung me more than once, and discovered that it was not only painful but that I was also allergic - huge swelling. I was fortunate that I was in town & my older brother hove up just afterwards & carted me off to a chemist next to my father's office. Because my brother had tourniqued my arm with his hand, the swelling did not go far up my arm. I was very lucky to have him there. I had hope I had left them behind in UK, but like sparrows etc, everything has filtered to Australia over the years

 

[Veggiepatch]

I was house minding at Fairy Meadow, a suburb of Wollongong. Unbeknown to me, there was a nest of European wasps under the floor boards of the front verandah.

After what felt like dozens of huge needles being inserted into my legs, I discovered the nest and promptly dispatched them - permanently.

Thankfully, I did not suffer any effects other than excruciating pain for about 10 minutes.

 

[magpie1]

I disturbed a nest of the small black garden wasps in fernery around my pool....I was stung on my wrist which after 10 minutes the reaction had travelled right up to my elbow....my arm swelled unbelievably so.
I was also stung under my eye and the same type of swelling occurred and eventually shut my eye completely....it looked like I had been in a serious blue with someone. But the worst was on another occassion when I was stung on my chest....which saw me eventually gasping for breath and after getting to the local hospital I underwent heart monitoring and other tests and eventually sent home many hours later. Conclusion by my doctor...severe allergic reaction to garden wasps and always carry anti histamines.

 

[Mika in the van]

We used to get lots of paper wasp nests in Perth. I got stung often and had allergic reactions. Finally a neighbour went out his back door the the side ally of his house and found a huge nest. This is where they’d all started from I’d say as once he got rid of that they dissapeared.

 

[Jest]

33 years old, poor child.

 

[Kevin. A.]

I find WD-40 works wonders. I get wasps of all sorts nesting around the Rolla doors of the garage and under the eaves of the house. I spray WD-40 onto the nest and the wasps and they soon fall to the ground, it also kills the hatchling and the eggs. I sweep up the dead wasps and remove the nest. I was stung once by the large yellow and lock wasps. I walked past a bush I was trimming, and they flew out and stung both of my arms. I was lucky to get away from the wasp's nest before the rest of them tried stinging. My arm came up in large welts and hurt like crazy. I could feel one of the wasps hitting/ stinging my arm again and again. They are ruthless when they attack in a swarm.

 

[magpie1]

We used to get lots of paper wasp nests in Perth. I got stung often and had allergic reactions. Finally a neighbour went out his back door the the side ally of his house and found a huge nest. This is where they’d all started from I’d say as once he got rid of that they dissapeared.

They are the ones that gave me all of my trouble....seems I am highly allergic to their sting.