Edinburgh faces the sting of summer

Edinburgh, Scotland, has been invaded by huge swarms of wasps that are forming nests the size of beach balls, the Scotsman reported.

The explosion of the insect population is being blamed on the excessive heat Scotland is experiencing.

Pest control experts are reporting one of the busiest years ever as they are inundated with calls from residents who have found the massive nests near their homes, the newspaper said.

Experts are saying that soaring temperatures are helping to prolong the lives of insects which wasps feed on, such as aphids and greenfly.

Edinburgh authorities are warning that the wasps may become more aggressive in the next few weeks as the nests reach full capacity. The wasps are expected to begin dying off at the beginning of September.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International