In a village surrounded by farmland, a wasp nest might sit in a hedge bank, an outbuilding or the soffit. Whether it needs treatment depends on where it is.
East Stoke is a small village close to Newark near the A46, surrounded by farmland. Wasps like undisturbed, dry places with easy access to open land: outbuildings, garages, barns, roof voids, hedge banks and the ground beneath old sheds. In a rural setting, there is often more choice of nest sites and more room around them, so some nests do not matter. Others, close to doors or play areas, certainly do.
A single queen starts the nest in spring. Workers appear from early summer, and the colony grows until late summer, when it can hold thousands of wasps. In autumn the colony fails, the workers die and new queens go off to hibernate. The nest is not used again. This means that a small early nest is easy to leave, while a large late nest can be a nuisance when wasps look for sugar and become more aggressive.
If the answer to any of these is yes, treating the nest is sensible. If the nest is far from where people go, you may leave it and let the cold finish it off. Wasps also eat garden pests, so there is a case for tolerance.
We treat wasp nests for a fixed cost of £90, with a same day response seven days a week, even for a rural address. If the nest is still active within 30 days, we return. Treatment is directed at the nest itself, and the colony dies over a short period. Wasps coming back from foraging may circle the old site for a day or so.
Do not block the entrance or use a spray from a ladder. Disturbed wasps are more likely to sting, and a blocked hole may drive them into the building.
Farm outbuildings and barns need extra care. Machinery, stored hay and feed bins can be close to a nest without anyone realising, and disturbance from vibration or a mower can provoke the colony. Look before you start work in a seldom-used building, listen for a steady hum from a roof or wall and watch for wasps flying in a straight line to one spot. That line leads to the nest entrance.
Call 0115 937 5117 to book, or to send a photograph and ask for advice.
Often yes, if it is well away from people and animals. Hedge and ground nests are easily disturbed by mowing or strimming, so check the area before using machinery.
A wasp nest is made of papery grey material. Honey bees form clusters and are furrier. Bees are protected and may need a beekeeper, so send us a photograph if you are not sure.
Tell us what you have seen and where, and we will come back to you. Prices are fixed and there is no call-out charge.
