Manchester’s Wasp Survey Team is ready to head out for another year. From left are Colleen Caylor, Micah Taylor, Milo Hupp, Prof. Katy Gray Brown, Sam Hupp, Elise Harter and CoCo Rosales. Photo provided by Manchester University.

News Release

NORTH MANCHESTER — In July 2023, members of the Manchester University Center for Environmental Resilience and Social Engagement launched the “MU Wasp Team.”  The team documented wasp species found in North Manchester and, when necessary for safety, remove wasps from properties in North Manchester. In the first two years of the project, more than 400 wasp, hornet, and yellowjacket nests were removed at no cost to the residents.

The team is now beginning its third year.

The Wasp Survey Team is made up of Manchester University students, staff advisor Colleen Caylor, and faculty advisor Dr. Katy Gray Brown. The team is trained and mentored by local business, Green Wasp Removal, to identify and collect local eusocial wasp species (paper wasps, yellowjackets, hornets).

The WST also offers many free wasp removal services upon request to residents in the North Manchester 46962 zip code. Homeowners outside of the 46962 service area are referred to Green Wasp Removal for contracted services. Removal services involve strictly “green” methods —environmentally responsible protocols — which entirely avoid toxic pesticides in favor of ecological healthy natural control techniques. Part of the mission of the MU Community Wasp Survey Project is to educate the community about the beneficial nature of wasps and ways to effectively control unwanted wasps without the use of toxic pesticides.

At the end of the wasp season, the wasps collected by the team will be shipped to a venom collection company that provides wasp to biomedical labs for use in Venom Immunotherapy. VIT is a life-saving medical treatment for people with severe/lethal venom allergies. VIT has a 98% success rate in reducing or eliminating venom allergies, thereby preventing medical emergencies before they can occur.

Wasps are important beneficial insects in the environment. They are helpful pollinators and exceptional biological control agents that help keep pest insect populations under control throughout the summer and fall months. Wasps hunt many species of pest insects and feed them to their young for protein, and this activity results in a healthier ecosystem. It is important to recognize wasps as the beneficial insects they are. The WST encourages residents to avoid poisoning or eliminating wasps if there is any way they can be spared, however if you have a was nest that needs to be removed immediately, please contact MU Wasp Survey Team to handle the removal without toxic chemicals that are harmful to people, pets, and the environment.

To learn more about the projects, report wasp activity, or for general comments/inquiries, contact the MU Wasp Survey Project Hotline at (260) 982-5136.