Stawell Wasp Seekers committee member, Ian Cameron, was called in to treat an active nest at the rear of the Stawell Gift Takeaway on Tuesday.

This was the first time a nest had been treated in Stawell since late March.

``It is very unusual for the wasps to be active at this time of year,'' Mr Cameron said.

``They are actually supposed to be hibernating. There can be up to 200 queens in any one nest and that is why they can spread so fast in a community.

``The unusual thing is the queens are always hibernating for the winter and don't come out until around October or November to initiate their new nests, but there are a lot of active workers around the nest.''

The concern at the Stawell Gift Takeaway was the wasps had made their nest in the roof at the rear of the premises and staff did not want them entering the shop area.

Fortunately, the nest was discovered and treated before this could occur.

Mr Cameron said given this latest discovery in the middle of winter, he urged residents to be vigilant and on the lookout for any wasp activity in their area.

``This shows that some of the wasps haven't gone into hibernation as they normally would at this time of year, so people will need to be on the lookout,'' he said.

Anyone who sees an increase in wasp activity around their home, or discovers a nest on or near their property, should contact the Northern Grampians Shire Council who will arrange for a Wasp Seeker committee member to treat the nest.