When Is Wasp Season in Barnsole?
Understanding how fast and how far a colony grows explains why a small problem in May becomes an urgent one by August.
From small beginnings
A wasp colony is a growing thing. In spring it is tiny: a small nest, a few insects and almost no traffic. By late summer it is a large structure with thousands of residents. That growth is the reason the wasp season looks the way it does.
Wasps begin building nests from late April, though the weather decides exactly when. Over the following weeks, the colony adds new members and the nest expands. By August a nest can hold from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps. Anyone in Barnsole with a nest on their property has a colony somewhere on that curve, and knowing where helps with decisions.
This article follows the growth through the season, in terms of what you can see and what it implies.
A nest does not grow at the same speed everywhere, and the weather has a large part to play, but the shape of the curve is much the same each year.
Late April and May: the start
At this stage, there is very little to see. A nest has been begun in a gap, a hole or a sheltered corner, and the number of wasps is small. You may notice one or two insects going back and forth.
What you can observe:
- Occasional wasps flying to the same point.
- A small amount of activity on warm afternoons.
- Little or no noise.
The nest at this point is as small as it will ever be. Early spring is the best time to deal with nests, because the colony is just starting and the work is simple. If you spot activity, this is the moment to act.
You might think a nest this small cannot do any harm. It can, if you disturb it, so stay away from the entrance and mark the position from a distance.
June and early July: building up
As the weeks go on, the number of workers increases, and so does the traffic. The nest grows and the entrance becomes busier. This is the stage at which most people first notice that something is going on.
You may see:
- A steady line of wasps going to and from one point.
- Wasps waiting near the entrance.
- A hum audible from a metre or two away.
- Occasional wasps at windows or indoors.
The nest is now large enough to be defended vigorously. A live nest is not something to approach, and wasps can swarm and sting if they feel threatened. Many householders decide to book at this point, which is a sensible time.
A weekly photograph from the same spot, taken at the same time of day, is a good way to see how fast the traffic is growing. After three or four weeks, the trend is obvious.
Weather plays its part here. A spell of warm days speeds the colony along, and a cool week slows it, which is why a nest can seem to jump in size after a hot weekend. Treat any sudden increase as a prompt to act, not as a one-off.
Late July and August: the full colony
By the height of summer, the colony has reached its full size. The nest may hold anything from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps, and the traffic is constant from morning until evening. Everything is bigger and noisier.
At this stage, the practical consequences are greatest. A nest by a door, window, washing line or play area makes the area hard to use. A nest in the roof or a wall can lead to wasps indoors. A nest in a hedge makes gardening risky.
If you have left it this long, you can still deal with the nest. But the size of the colony means more time spent avoiding it, and more risk for anyone nearby. Booking early in the week or asking for same-day service is a good approach.
The nest grows physically as well as in numbers, so a spot that has room to expand, such as a loft or a hollow wall, can hold a larger colony than a tight gap.
September onwards: the decline
After the peak, the colony declines. The nest stops growing, the number of new wasps falls, and activity slowly quietens. In the weeks after the peak, wasps are drawn to sweet food and drink, so they remain very noticeable.
The decline is not a switch. A nest can be active well into autumn, and still a hazard to anyone nearby. Whether to treat it depends on where it is, who is nearby, and whether anyone in the household is allergic.
When the nest has finished, you can ask the technician whether the empty nest can be taken down. Record where it was and how big it grew.
Autumn is also a good time to think about what you could do differently next year, such as an earlier look in April.
Using the growth curve
The lesson of the growth curve is that time works against you. A nest dealt with in May is a small job. The same nest in August is a large one. The price does not change, since Wasp Exterminator Kent charges a fixed £120 per nest, with one visit guaranteed, and £60 for each additional nest at the same property, but your risk and your inconvenience do.
There is no call-out charge, and the price is the same at any time of day. The team is open seven days a week with same-day service and evening and weekend appointments. Technicians are fully insured and qualified. Call 01622 410 019 or use the booking form on the contact page, and tell the team if anyone at home is allergic.
Wasps on your property in Barnsole?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.