Emergency services going back for second attack on giant wasp nest

The remaining wasps from a huge nest found half way up an old pine tree in an Auckland suburb will be gassed to death tomorrow.

A colony of hundreds of thousands of wasps was discovered about a fortnight ago in a gully behind Rehia Rd in Massey.

The wasp nest had grown so large a chunk broke off and sent the wasps into a frenzy.

Residents in the street were plagued by swarms of the agitated insects as they stripped fences and decks to repair the nest.

About 2.5 metres long and one metre wide, the nest proved too much of a challenge for pest control contractors.

The Waitakere City Council brought in the Fire Service because of the difficult access.

Last night firefighters used their high pressure hoses to blast the pine tree with a mix of foam and insecticide and destroyed about 80 per cent of the nest.

Council spokesman Dai Bindoff said the remaining number of wasps was more manageable and they could now be eradicated with gas.