Wasp-killer prepares for assault on nest

A Kaitaia man will lead the assault on a massive wasp nest in a Far North town today, by dangling from a helicopter and dropping poison powder onto the pests.

The nest, described as a similar size to a car, has been the source of torment to locals in Pawarenga, in the Hokianga area 42km southwest of Kaitaia, several of whom have already suffered stings.

Kaitaia man Mike Knight, who had to abort plans to attack the nest yesterday because of weather conditions, was himself stung when he visited his intended victims.

"I was zapped about three times. I was just visiting them and they got a bit aggro," he said.

But while the incident proved he wasn't allergic, he was taking no risks for the delicate operation on the nest, which sits 20m up in a tree.

After the Far North District Council said it would not destroy the nest, deemed a hazard to public health and the ecology, Mr Knight volunteered his services with help from a friend, owner and pilot of Helicopter Operations Kingsley Thompson.

Massey University Associate-Professor in ecology Robin Fordham warned the wasps would not take the assault lying down.

"If you interfere with their nest they will attack. It is part of the job of the workers to protect the nest.

"They will attempt to sting and can sting repeatedly so can be a danger for people who knock the nest. They could get a lot of stings very quickly."

Mr Knight said he was well aware of the risks, and would be wearing a wading suit, a hooded wetsuit and a beekeeping outfit. He would also have a full-facial mask with a breathing filter.

The helicopter is to hover 30m above the ground to stop the Carbaryl powder he is using from blowing around. It would keep wasps away from the pilot -- also in protective clothing -- who would be leaning out of the helicopter to keep an eye on the action below.

Mr Knight is to hang from two ropes and expects the task around the nest to take about five minutes.

The chopper will then take him, still hanging, to an airstrip 2km away where Far North District Council workers would use fire extinguishers to rid him of wasps.

The nearby Pawarenga community centre and health clinic will be vacated for the exercise and the local school and farmers had been warned.

Mr Knight said the wasps outside the nest should die within five to 10 minutes of the poison being administered, but thought the whole nest would take more than 12 hours to die.

Carbaryl is placed into nest entrances and the wasps then carry the powder deeper into the nest.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE