If you have noticed a large number of wasps in your home and garden, there is a very good chance that there is a nest nearby.
Unlike bees, wasps can be an unwelcome sight (especially if you have children) and are known to be more aggressive compared to their honey-making cousins. They will defend their nests against anything they deem a threat and can sting multiple times if they need to. With this being said, attacking people is not a common act for wasps, but they can become agitated during the warmer months and sting with very little provocation.
Finding a wasp nest is not very easy, as we will go into during this blog. But the best way to go about it is to spend some time watching their movements in and around your property. If you cannot follow them or are getting concerned that you might have an infestation somewhere, please contact Able Group. We have nearly 30 years' of experience dealing with wasp removal and serve the entire UK.
When it comes to locating a nest, it is always handy to understand the characteristics of a wasp first. A wasp nest will have 2 types of wasps that live inside it:
Workers: Worker wasps are sterile females. They travel for miles to find food for the rest of the nest. But, as soon as the colder months arrive and food becomes scarce, they will start to die.
The Queen: The queen of a hive will be larger in size compared to the workers. They will hibernate during the winter and made a nest when spring arrives to lay their eggs.
Common Species of Wasp In The UK
Whilst there are numerous species of wasps across the world, we only have to worry about 2 here in the UK. These are Vespula Vulgaris (the common wasp) and Vespula Germanica (the German wasp).
When it comes to nesting, the German wasp will normally choose a location closer to the ground. This can be dangerous for unwary passersby. However, the common wasp is mostly found in man-made structures like eroded brick walls, lofts and sheds.
When a wasp stings you, it can be quite painful, and for some people, it can unfortunately, be fatal. This is because, for those who are allergic, a wasp sting can send them into anaphylactic shock.
This is a potentially life-threatening state that can only be alleviated with a shot of adrenaline. If someone you are with is stung by a wasp and suddenly goes into anaphylactic shock, you need to dial 999 immediately. Signs of anaphylactic shock can include:
The vast majority of people who get stung by a wasp will develop a reaction at the site of the sting. This does not mean that they are allergic, though. In the case of an allergic reaction, the symptoms will be far more severe.
Apart from getting stung, if a wasp nest gets particularly large, it can cause structural damage to your home. During the middle of the summer, large nests can contain 1000's of wasps, so nest removal can become an urgent concern.
Wasps are not fussy when it comes to building their nests, so this can present a challenge when it comes to trying to find them. However, they do prefer to build their nests in an area that is dry and sheltered. They also like to have a reliable supply of wood so they can make their nests and a constant food source.
It is also worth noting that wasp nests can take many different shapes and are not always round. Here are the most common places you will find a wasp nest:
Prevention is always better than having to kill off a wasp nest, and there are a number of things you can do to stop wasps from nesting in and around your property.
This is one of the most effective ways of preventing wasps from entering your home and making a nest. Keep your windows and doors closed where possible, or invest in some fly screens to stop them from coming in during the summer months.
If you have noticed cracks or crevices appear in your home over the years, you need to make sure that these are sealed up. These are perfect places for wasps to enter and create a nest.
Wasps are opportunists, so leaving your bins open will attract them when they are looking for an easy food source. To deter wasps away, make sure your bins are always closed and kept as far away as possible from your property.
If you are looking for nests during the summer months, you are too late. Most wasps build their nests in the spring because this is when they are most vulnerable. If you spot a nest whilst it is being built, it is far safer for a wasp removal company to remove it.
When it comes to removing a wasp nest, your safest option is to get help from a local pest control company. They will have the experience and knowledge to remove a wasp nest safely in line with HSE and British standards.
The nest might not necessarily need to be removed to eradicate the wasps. Instead, a wasp removal expert could treat it using insecticidal dust using specialist equipment. They will also make use of PPE and protective clothing to stay as safe as possible when applying the dust.
We strongly recommend that you do not try to remove the wasp nest yourself. Without specialist knowledge and protective equipment, you run the risk of sustaining multiple stings.
Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we offer a professional pest control service if you need your wasp problem resolved quickly. Our pest control experts fully understand that having a problem with wasps can cause unwanted disruption to your life. This is why we offer a reactive and emergency wasp extermination service to homeowners and commercial business owners nationwide.
Our team of pest control experts are fully qualified and experienced in the handling of all poisons, pesticides and fumigation methods that may need to be used to treat a wasp nest.
If you are currently dealing with a wasp infestation and need our help, please do not hesitate to get in touch today by calling 0330 108 4111 or by visiting our contact page.