Wasp Nest in a Cavity Wall – How Professionals Treat Hidden Nests in Bexleyheath
Food, sweet drinks and crowds near an active wall nest are a recipe for stings, so a gathering needs either a treatment first or a careful plan.
Why parties and nests do not mix
A garden gathering is almost the ideal setting for a wasp problem. There is food, there are sweet drinks, there are children running about and the weather is warm, which is when wasps are at their most active. If there is also a nest in a nearby wall, the combination is risky.
Householders in Bexleyheath, in the London Borough of Bexley, planning an outdoor event should check the walls first. A nest can be tucked in somewhere nobody has looked, and it is better to find it two days before the party than during it.
The best answer is to have the nest treated before the event. The second best is to take sensible precautions.
Younger children are the most vulnerable at a party, since they put sticky hands and cups to their mouths and are less likely to notice a wasp. Make sure an adult is watching drinks at all times, and use a straw where possible. It is a simple measure that prevents painful stings on the lip or tongue.
Before the day
Walk round the property a few days ahead. Look at the walls near where guests will be, especially air bricks, vents and gaps in pointing, and watch them for a few minutes on a warm day. Wasps entering a gap are a sign.
If you find an entrance, book a treatment and tell the technician about the event. You can book an evening or weekend slot, and same-day service is offered. It is far better for the visit to happen before the guests arrive.
If you cannot arrange a treatment in time, think about moving the gathering. A different part of the garden, the front of the house or an indoor space may be a safer choice.
It also helps to think about the guest list. If someone invited is known to be allergic, speak to them beforehand. They may prefer to move the event indoors, or may want to take extra precautions of their own, and it is much better to have that conversation in advance.
Whatever you decide, tell your guests. A short message before the day, saying where the nest is and which area to avoid, lets everyone make their own choices. Most people appreciate the honesty and will happily keep to the other end of the garden.
Setting up safely
If you do hold the event with a nest in the wall, set up as far from the wall as you can. Place tables, chairs, seating and play areas on the opposite side of the garden. Keep the barbecue away from the entrance, since the smell of cooking meat attracts wasps.
Practical steps include:
- Covering food and drinks until they are served
- Using cups with lids or straws for children
- Clearing plates and rubbish promptly
- Keeping bins closed and well away from the wall
- Telling guests where the nest is and asking them to stay clear
Do not spray, swat or make noise near the entrance. A calm, informed group is the best defence.
Keep ice buckets, fruit bowls and puddings covered. Sugary and fruity foods are what draw foragers from the nest, and a nest beside the patio can send a steady stream towards the table.
If someone is stung
Stings happen at gatherings, even with the best planning. Wash the area, remove the sting if you can see it and apply a cold pack. Keep an eye on the person for a while.
Call 999 straight away if there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash. People with a known allergy should speak to their GP, and it is sensible to ask guests with allergies to confirm before the event whether they will be comfortable.
Know where the phone is, and who will make the call. Having thought about it in advance makes the response faster.
A few spare cold packs in the freezer are sensible for any summer gathering. They help with all sorts of bumps, not just stings.
Booking the treatment
The price is the same fixed £120 per nest whatever the day, with one visit guaranteed and no call-out charge. It is the same whether you book for a weekday, an evening or a weekend. For a second nest on the premises, the charge is £60 for that one.
Tell us about the event when you book, along with the wall and the entrance. If anyone in the household is allergic, say so, so that it can be prioritised. The technician is fully insured and qualified, and treats the nest through the entry point, with no need to open the wall.
Raise taking down the empty nest at booking too.
If the party is a child's birthday, consider leaving the garden entirely. A local hall or indoor space avoids the problem and leaves the nest for a quieter day.
After the event
Once the nest has been treated and the wasps have gone, tidy the garden, clear any remaining food and drink and check for stragglers before you let children back to the area.
Once several quiet days have passed, have the gap sealed. This keeps next year's party free of the same worry.
If you would like a visit, call 01622 410 019 or send your details through the contact page. We work seven days a week and cover domestic and commercial properties.
Once the party is over, make sure that any food left outside is cleared. Wasps will find it, and a pile of leftovers near the wall is an invitation.
Wasps on your property in Bexleyheath?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.