Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Chislehurst
A little preparation makes a nest visit quicker and safer, and knowing what to expect takes the worry out of the day.
Before the day
A nest is stressful until it has been dealt with, and knowing what will happen helps. When you book, you will be asked where the nest is, how long you have seen wasps, how busy they are and how the technician can reach the spot. Give as much detail as you can. Mention any allergic person in the household so that the booking can be prioritised.
If you can safely take a photograph from a distance, it helps, but never go near the nest to get one. A description such as above the back door, left of the drainpipe, at roof height is just as useful.
It also helps to know when you will be at home and whether someone else will be there on the day. A technician cannot ask for permission from an empty house, so agree in advance how to reach the nest and who can unlock gates or hatches.
If you have a gate code, a key safe or a dog that barks at strangers, mention it. Small details like these save time on the day.
Getting the area ready
There are a few simple things you can do beforehand.
- Move cars, bins, bikes and garden furniture away from the nest area if you can do so without going close.
- Clear a path to the garden, loft hatch, shed or wherever the technician will need to go.
- Keep gates unlocked or arrange for someone to open them.
- Put pets in a closed room, and think about a rabbit hutch or other outdoor animals.
- Bring in washing and toys from the garden.
- Close windows on the side of the house with the nest.
Do not move anything that requires you to stand beside the entrance. If in doubt, leave it, and tell the technician.
If the nest is in the loft, clear a route to the hatch inside the house without opening it. If it is in a tree or hedge, clear a path to the base of it, taking care not to go near. If the nest is on a shared boundary, tell the neighbour that someone will be visiting.
A clear space round a shed door or garage entrance is useful too. Boxes stacked in front of the door make it harder for the technician to see where the wasps are going in and out.
Safety for the household
On the day, keep children and pets indoors and away from windows that face the nest. A neighbour may also want to know, if the nest is near a boundary. If you need to go out, use a different door.
Keep a phone with you. Should anyone be stung, rinse the spot with cool water and apply something cold. Dial 999 without delay if there is any wheeze or difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, face or throat, dizziness, or a widespread rash. You do not need to be present in the garden while the work is done.
Do not stand and watch from close to the nest. The technician will not need an audience, and you are safer inside with the windows closed. Draw the curtains if you like, and let the work take its course.
Questions to ask
The visit is a good moment to ask the things that worry you.
- Can the empty nest be taken down, and who will do it?
- Is there anything I should keep out of the area for the rest of the day?
- How do I recognise if wasps are still active, and when should I call again?
- What can I do to make it less likely that wasps settle here again?
- Is there any other nest on the property that I should know about?
If you have concerns about a particular spot, point it out.
Do not feel embarrassed about asking questions. Technicians deal with worried householders every week, and good questions often lead to useful tips about gaps, covers and ways of keeping the area tidy.
If you have noticed wasps at other times of year, mention them. A history of activity in the same spot can help the technician judge what is going on.
Where it is awkward
Some nests are in awkward places: high roof edges, chimneys, loft spaces, wall cavities and tight corners. Tell the technician about access in advance. If the loft hatch is in a cupboard or the shed is full of boxes, say so. If you rent, make sure the landlord or agent knows about the visit.
Resist the urge to try anything beforehand. Spraying, blocking or poking at the nest makes the visit harder.
If you are a tenant, let your landlord know about the visit and keep a record of the work, since they may want to see it. Who pays can depend on your agreement.
Booking
Wasp Exterminator Kent treats a nest for a fixed £120 with one visit guaranteed, and £60 for an additional nest on the same property. There is no call-out charge, and nothing is added for time of day or location. We work seven days a week, offer same-day service and can visit in the evening or at weekends. Our technicians are fully insured and qualified and cover Chislehurst, in the London Borough of Bromley, and the surrounding area. To book, call 01622 410 019 or book through the contact page at /contact-us/. The online form at /contact-us/ also works for emergencies outside office hours.
We cannot promise a particular arrival time, but we will discuss timings with you when you book, including evenings and weekends.
Let us know if you need the visit to be quiet, for example because someone works nights or a baby sleeps in the afternoon.
Wasps on your property in Chislehurst?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.