PEST experts are warning of a bumper year for wasps in Cheshire.

Mild spring temperatures following a relatively cold winter have created perfect conditions for the nuisance insects.

And with forecasters predicting warmer than average weather for the rest of May and June, industry insiders are expecting a huge rise in both the number and size of nests.

Figures produced by the British Pest Control Association last week indicate problems with wasps shot up by around 87 per cent in the UK last year compared to an unusually quiet 2013.

Rob Simpson, leader of independent pest controllers register Basis Prompt, said: “The annual wasp population in the UK is very much dependent on weather conditions.

“This year, temperatures were relatively cold during the winter and have so far been warm in spring, so we’re expecting to receive a deluge of calls.”

In a typical British summer, he said, wasps will not appear in huge numbers until August or September.

But they begin building new nests in spring.

Mr Simpson says homeowners shouldn’t be tempted to tackle issues themselves.

He said: “Treating a wasps nest can be very dangerous as they feel threatened and are likely to become aggressive if their nest is tampered with.

“A mature nest can contain thousands of wasps, so it’s really not worth the risk.”