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.  

We would never recommend untrained people attempt to tackle a wasp or hornet nest.  If disturbed a wasp nest can become dangerous very quickly without the proper protective equipment. Nest can be located high up, and so often require specialist equipment to access safely.

Common Wasp Species

There are many wasp species in the UK. Some of the more common pest wasp species we see are Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris), German Wasp (Vespula germanica). However there are many other species, some solitary and many would not require control or treatment.

The above species are often considered pests. They will typically build there nest in a tree hollow, underground holes, wall cavities, loft spaces, garden sheds and other outbuildings. A queen wasp will begin building a nest in the spring, which would then die off over winter.  Newly produced queens will mate at the end of the season, and then over winter ready to start new nests the following year.

Wasps will generally be docile if left undisturbed. Wasps can be defensive if they feel that their nest is threatened. Wasps can create a problem in the late summer as they seek out sugary food sources in pub gardens and picnics. Problems can also occur as a wasp nest breaks down at the end of the year. 

How to get rid of a Wasp Nest

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 no not move their nest or swarm. Once a nest is destroyed they do not get reoccupied by future wasps. You may noticed 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. With our service guarantee, we will return for free in the rare instance a repeat treatment is required.  

How to prevent wasps

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.

DIY Wasp control

There are products for controlling wasps that can be purchased in garden centres and supermarkets. Always ready with 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.