'It's impressive alright!' Huge wasp nest bigger than a BARREL found in loft
A GIGANTIC wasp nest bigger than the size of a large barrel was discovered in a loft.
The nest was home to over 10,000 wasps
The impressive nest was once home to as many as 10,000 wasps.
Its one-metre diameter is not the only rare thing about it - the wasps also built an intricate 1.4m tunnel from the nest to the outside.
An average wasp next typically has around 3,000 wasps.
Pest controller Gary Wilkinson, of Pest Professionals, said: "It's an impressive wasp nest alright - much bigger than a barrel.
"Although you wouldn't want it in your own loft, you have to say it's a very impressive and in its own way a very beautiful thing."
The wasps were able to build such a large home for themselves as the loft has been empty for several years.
The wasps had also built a 1.4m tunnel connecting the nest to the outside
You have to say it's a very impressive and in its own way a very beautiful thing
It was discovered at s home near Corby, Northamptonshire, by pest controllers treated a woodworm problem before the new owners moved in.
Gary Wilkinson said: "Normally we get called in at the first sign of wasps causing a problem to people.
The colony of wasps had died out by the time the nest was removed
Gary Wilkinson had to admit the nest was beautiful in its own way
"This community has been allowed to go about its business undisturbed for a whole summer season."
Carcasses of hundreds of wasps found next to the nest prove show the colony was created by commons wasps.
Fortunately for the controllers at Pest Professionals, the colony had died out by the time they came to remove the nest.