Not every wasp nest needs removing. Knowing the season, the position and how busy it is helps you decide whether to wait or to book a treatment.
A wasp nest starts in spring with a single queen building a small paper cup. By midsummer there is a colony of workers and the nest grows quickly, often to the size of a football or larger. In late summer and autumn the colony peaks and wasps become more irritable and attracted to sugary food. With the onset of winter the colony dies off and the nest is abandoned, and it is not reused the following year.
A small nest in an outbuilding or a quiet corner of the garden, well away from doors and windows, can sometimes be left alone, particularly late in the year. Wasps do eat other insects, which helps in the garden. If nobody is going near it and the season is drawing to a close, the nest will die off by itself.
Act if the nest is near a door, window, washing line or play area, or in a roof void where the colony can reach the living space. West Bridgford has many Edwardian and inter-war houses with eaves, lofts and chimney spaces that make good nesting places, and in a busy residential area it is common for a nest to be a few feet from where people sit or walk.
Anyone with a known allergy to stings should not take chances. Act quickly in that case, and keep windows closed in the meantime. Do not block the entrance, as agitated wasps will look for another way out, which can be into the house.
Position makes a real difference to the risk. A nest in a roof void directly above a bedroom can lead wasps through ceiling gaps or light fittings, whereas one in a hedge at the far end of the garden poses little danger if nobody goes near it.
Watch the flight path for a few minutes from a safe distance. A steady stream of wasps in and out suggests a large, active colony, while only a few suggests it is smaller or already declining.
We treat wasp nests for a fixed cost of £90, with a same day response seven days a week. If the nest is still active within 30 days, we return. There is no call-out charge, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.
Wait until after the treatment before removing the nest, as it may still contain returning wasps. Afterwards, sealing the entry point stops others from nesting in the same place.
If you are unsure about a nest, describe where it is and we will advise honestly on whether it needs treating. Call 0115 937 5117.
No. The colony dies off in winter and a new queen starts a fresh nest elsewhere in spring. Old nests are not reused, though sealing the entry point reduces the chance of a new one nearby.
If the nest is away from people it can be left to die off. If it is near doors, windows or in the roof, or anyone is allergic to stings, it is wiser to have it treated sooner.
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.
