UPDATE:On Thursday morning, resident Debra Powers told The NEWS that BC Hydro had come to take down the wasp nest.
Here's the story, as it was, Wednesday afternoon:
Neighbours say they are worried about a wasp nest outside of their homes that has been growing in size for the past two weeks.
Qualicum Beach resident Debra Powers said she noticed the wasp nest — which is located on a power pole on town-owned property on Sixth Avenue — about two weeks ago.
Right away, she said she called BC Hydro, but they told her they wouldn't touch the nest until winter. That same day, Powers said she called the Town of Qualicum Beach, but staff said they didn't know if they could get rid of the nest since it's on a BC Hydro pole.
"I explained the situation, and told them Hydro told me it was OK for the town to remove (the nest) from the pole," Powers said.
"I'm worried about people getting stung," Powers said, adding that Sixth Avenue is a walking route to town for many people. "It's not going to end well."
Powers' neighbour Jerry Olstead said his wife is deathly allergic to being stung.
"One sting, and anaphylactic shock," Olstead said.
Olstead said he tried to spray the nest, but it was too far to reach.
"If it was in my backyard, I'd call a exterminator myself, but this is on town property," Olstead said.
The NEWS talked to Cam Purdon, the superintendent of public works, parks and buildings, and he said it's a bit complicated because the nest is on a Telus box which is on a BC Hydro pole which is on town-owned property.
Purdon said there's nothing the town can do since it's not its utility box. He added that the town won't do anything to get rid of the nest.
As of Wednesday, Purdon said he called and talked to someone at BC Hydro and requested someone go and have a look at it to see if there's anything BC Hydro can do.
"These (nests) are everywhere," Purdon said, but he added that at least "we're a step ahead with getting through to someone."