WASP infestations have tripled in parts of Merseyside this summer, with pest control officers in one borough battling to cope with about five million insects each week.
Mild winters, warm summers and an invasion of larger, more aggressive German wasps, which are relatively new to the North West, are being blamed for the rapid increase.
Sefton Council's pest control department last night said its team of six officers were working flat out to destroy around 250 nests per week - three times more than last year.
Supplies of the main chemical used to treat the nests, a liquid called Ficam, have run out across the country and councils are being forced to use up stocks of more expensive powders.
Around 20pc of the nests in Sefton were built by the relatively new European species, Vespula germanica, first spotted in small numbers in the North West three years ago.
The German wasps carry a slightly more painful sting than Britain's common wasp, the Vespula vulgaris.
They are distinguishable by three distinct black dots on their yellow faces, bulging thoracic stripes and four yellow spots on the rear of the thorax.
Last night, Ian Skidmore, senior pest control officer for Sefton, said: "I've been dealing with wasps for 20 years and this is the busiest we've ever been.
"The worst hit place is Southport, closely followed by Formby.
"My team of officers are working evenings and weekends to deal with demand.
"Nests are appearing everywhere, not just in gardens, but brickwork, lofts, sheds, under guttering, and in the ground.
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