Wasps play an important role in our ecosystem, predating on many other pest species around our homes and gardens. Unfortunately wasps and hornets do not always pick the best spots to build their nests, and can pose a danger to those around your home and business.
Wasp pest control involves is the safe destruction of their nests from domestic or commercial properties. In the UK, the most common pest species is the Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris), followed by the German Wasp (Vespula germanica).
Wasps often build nests in:
A developed wasp nest can contain thousands of individuals, especially later in the season. Attempting to remove or disturb a nest without proper equipment and experience can lead to painful stings—or worse, a trip to A&E.
Our professional wasp pest control service includes:
In commercial settings—such as pubs, restaurants, schools, and warehouses—wasp infestations can quickly become a health and safety hazard, disrupting operations and endangering staff or customers.
As full members of The British Pest Control Association, you can be assured that we are both trained & qualified. We are fully insured and follow all industry Code of Best Practice, using only the most humane and effective methods available.
There are around 9000 species of wasp and hornet in the UK, the vast majority cause no issues. Species such as the Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris), German Wasp (Vespula germanica) and European Hornet (Vespa Cabro), can cause pest problems with their nesting behaviour in and around buildings.
The above species will typically build their nest in a tree hollow, underground holes, wall cavities, loft spaces, garden sheds and other outbuildings.
Asian hornets (Vespa velutina), also known as yellow-legged hornets, are an increasing concern in the UK. This non-native species poses a serious threat to our native bees, but genuine sightings and nests remain rare. They’re often confused with the larger European hornet, even though Asian hornets are actually smaller. Media coverage showing “giant Asian hornets” only adds to the mix-up—those insects are a completely different species and do not occur in the UK.
In early spring we often receive calls about “big wasps” entering peoples premises. These are likely wasp queens which have remained dormant over winter and are now looking for suitable nesting locations.
Later in the spring once the queen has established a nest you may start to notice worker wasps leaving the nest to forage. You will likely see an increasing number of wasps going in and out of the nest as the year progresses and the population rapidly increases.
Wasps will typically use a single nest entry point, but can often become confused and mistakenly find their way into a property. It is not uncommon for a property to have more than one wasp nest at a time.
Correctly identifying the species is very important. Bumble Bees and Honey Bees are often mistaken for wasps, and require a very different course of action. You need to be 100% sure before any treatment is carried out.
In most cases wasp nests can be destroyed using a single chemical treatment. This is applied either directly to the nest or to the nest entry point. After application the wasps will die off in the coming hours.
Nests are often in hard to reach positions, and so specialist equipment is often required to complete a treatment safely. Disturbed nests can also become defensive, and so proper protective equipment is required.
If an entry point is frequently being used by wasps each season this may require proofing to prevent future access.
Unlike Honey Bees, wasps do not move their nest or swarm. Once a nest is destroyed they do not get reoccupied by future wasps. You may notice more wasps later in the year, or future seasons, but these are separate queens having built their own individual nest.
Wasp nests usually require a single treatment.
Having a wasp nest on your property can ultimately come down to luck. Wasps can enter very small spaces, so fully proofing a property from wasp entry is often unachievable.
Treating a wasp nest early can be the best defence from future nests. Wasps produce queens towards the end of their life cycle, so clearing a nest before this point can prevent having multiple wasp nests in the future. Clearing a nest early will also remove the wasps before the population reaches a size that can become a problem.
We often see people hang “fake nests” in their garden of lofts, and are often asked to fit these. The idea of these imitation nests is it scares off other wasps from nesting in that area. Given we often see nests built within inches of each other, we have seen very little evidence that these work.
“Wasp pots” can be used successfully in the garden in late summer when wasps begin to pester. They are successfully used in beer gardens to attract wasps away from seating areas with food and drink.
There are products for controlling wasps that can be purchased in garden centres and supermarkets. Always read a label before using any insecticide product.
Bumble bees and Honey Bees are often mixed up with wasps. So it is extremely important to know what species you are dealing with if you decide to treat wasps yourself.
Correct PPE (personal protective equipment) must be worn before tackling a wasps nest, especially later in the season when the nest has grown larger. An angry wasp nest, often at height or in a confined space can be a recipe for disaster. We would always recommend you speak to a professional.
Every branch is run by local pest professionals who live and work in your area. We know your community, and your pest problems – better than anyone.
No more guessing, no more damage. Let our trained professionals assess your space and implement a treatment that works.
Common signs include frequent wasp activity around one spot on your roofline, shed, or air bricks. You may also hear buzzing inside walls or see wasps entering and exiting the same hole. A nest is often nearby if there’s high traffic in one area.
Yes. Wasps can become highly defensive if their nest is disturbed. Their stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions. Nests should be treated by a trained pest controller with protective equipment.
DIY wasp nest removal on an established nest is not recommended. Nests can contain thousands of wasps and pose a significant risk if not handled properly. We use professional-grade insecticides and equipment to safely neutralise nests.
