Overview

How to get rid of a wasp nest

Wasps can become a real nuisance in the summer when they build nests in roofs, attics, sheds, garages, gardens, and even inside houses. If you see lots of wasps at your home or business then there’s a good chance you have a wasp nest nearby.

Dealing with a wasp problem doesn’t usually involve removing the nest but treating the wasps inside. This can be very dangerous as the nesting wasps can become aggressive, causing them to sting you and others as they defend their nest and young.

This is why we recommend you arrange for a professional company like Masons Pest Control to treat your wasps quickly, safely and effectively, keeping you and others safe from the threat of wasp stings.

What do wasps look like?

Wasps are buzzing insects with yellow and black striped bodies between 12-17mm long. They are not particularly hostile and will usually only sting if they are annoyed or threatened. They look very similar to a hornet which is bigger at 40mm long and has an orange and brown body.

The queen wasp is larger and she hibernates over the winter, making a nest in the spring when she lays her eggs. She feeds the grubs on insects until they grow into worker wasps three or four weeks later. A mature wasp nest in the summer can be home to thousands of wasps which may forage for over a mile in search of food.

Wasp problems peak in August and September. With the youngsters reared, the workers turn to sweet food and can become a nuisance at picnics, pub gardens and barbeques. Although they mostly only sting when aggravated, and if they do you can remove the sting with a clean fingernail and apply a cold compress and antihistamine. Some people react violently to being stung and will need urgent medical attention.

Signs you have a wasp nest

Wasp nests are built in sheltered spots with good access to the outside, for example roof spaces, wall cavities, under eaves and in bird boxes, sheds and garages. They are built out of chewed-up wood and wasp saliva which creates very distinct papery-looking walls. The nests are left to die off over the winter and the young queens make new nests the following spring.

A wasp nest can start off the size of a golf ball in the spring, and by the summer as the number of wasps increase, it can grow to the size of a football and be home to thousands of wasps.

If you see large numbers of wasps in your garden, house or business, or you hear humming or buzzing noises in your roof or wall you may have a wasp nest. To find out where it is, try to watch the flight path of returning wasps to see where they are going.

If you think the wasp nest may become dangerous to yourself and others we recommend treating it as soon as possible. There are DIY wasp treatment products available, but a professional pest control company like Masons Pest Control has the experience, safety equipment and products to deal with a wasp nest quickly, safely and effectively.

Scientific name

Arthropoda

Life span

12 – 22 days

Did you know

Unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly. Only female wasps are able to sting.