mmg.com.au

Pest controllers have destroyed three European wasp nests along the Goulburn River, but the battle against the insects continues.

The ‘‘huge’’ nests were discovered by Shepparton’s Statewide Pest Control and eradicated on Wednesday night.

By yesterday the amount of wasps at Aquamoves, which has been plagued by the yellow and black pests, was reportedly already lower.

But cranes will have to be brought in to allow pest controllers to destroy nests high up in nearby trees.

A Greater Shepparton City Council spokeswoman said the nests were difficult to spot and congratulated the pest controllers for hunting them out.

She said searches for nests would continue along the river towards Victoria Lake Holiday Park and Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club, then cross to the opposite bank to ensure they were all eradicated.

She said once nests were poisoned the wasps died quickly.

The discovery of the nests will help bring relief to people spending time outside.

The wasps have caused problems at school swimming carnivals — 13 McGuire College students were stung, including one on the mouth, while several Goulburn Valley Grammar students suffered stings.

There has been a resurgence in European wasp numbers across Greater Shepparton, including Shepparton Regional Park and along the Goulburn River, a Parks Victoria spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said Parks Victoria was monitoring the situation, but was not yet involved in a wasp control program.

For more information on precautions to take and what to do if you get stung, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au