Wasps are causing chaos across Leeds with more problem nests reported in the last four months than in the whole of 2010.

Leeds City Council’s pest control team has been inundated with calls regarding the black and yellow menaces. Some of the employees have been penciled in for appointments as late as 11pm due to the sheer volume of wasp-related problems.

So how do this years figures compare to previous ones?

Well, they have received a staggering 1,625 complaints about the stinging insects SINCE APRIL.

In the WHOLE OF 2010/11 the team had 1,474 calls about wasp nests, and 1,845 in 2009/10.

Ian Masterton, Leeds City Council’s pest control manager, said the numbers were significant. He stated: “The wasp season starts at the end of May.

“Ninety-nine per cent of the time before that time residents are adamant they have wasps but they turn out to be honey or bumblebees.

“We were getting around 100 calls every Monday morning from the weekend."

That being said, the team are coping well, residents can report wasps or other pests to Leeds City Council’s environmental health service on 0113 222 4406