Wasp Nest in a Hedge or Bush – What Crayford Garden Owners Should Know
Almost every DIY trick for a hedge wasp nest either fails or makes things dangerous, so here is what to avoid and why.
Why people try things
Faced with a nest in the hedge, the urge to do something is strong. Wasps are alarming, the nest is near, and the internet is full of home remedies. But a nest of 2,000 to 10,000 wasps or more is not something to experiment on, and every attempt carries real risk.
The reason is simple. A colony defends itself, and most do-it-yourself methods either fail to reach the heart of the nest or provoke the wasps without stopping them. In Crayford, in the London Borough of Bexley, as anywhere else, the best response is to avoid the nest and call a professional.
There is also a human side to this. People are often embarrassed to admit they tried something and made it worse, and delay calling as a result. Please do not. Tell us what you did, because it helps the technician, and nobody will think less of you.
Myths and why they fail
Here are the common ideas, and the problem with each.
- **Pouring water or using a hose.** It does not reach the nest in a dense hedge and the wasps are provoked.
- **Smoke or burning.** It is a fire risk in dry vegetation, and it agitates the colony.
- **Shop-bought sprays.** In a thick hedge, the spray cannot reach the nest from a safe distance, and getting close is dangerous.
- **Blocking the entrance.** Wasps find another way out, sometimes into a wall or the house.
- **Cutting the nest out.** The cut shakes the hedge and releases the colony.
- **Traps and bait.** They do not affect the nest and can draw more wasps.
- **Loud noise.** It does nothing useful and makes you easier to see.
One thing that surprises people is that wasps can be agitated for hours after being provoked. A failed attempt in the morning can leave a colony on high alert all afternoon, so that even walking past, or hanging out washing, becomes a risk. A calm approach is better in every way.
The risks of trying
The risks fall into three groups. Stings, which may be many and may be on the face, are the most obvious. Falls from ladders or while running away are the second. Fire and chemical hazards are the third.
Spraying anything you cannot name safely is a danger in itself, and we cannot advise on products. Mixing substances or using them in confined growth can cause harm to you, to children and to pets. Wasps are also known to chase, so a half-hearted attempt can leave you with a furious colony between you and the house.
Pest products sold for general use are made for particular situations, and a thick hedge is rarely one of them. We cannot advise on specific products, but we can say that the instructions on any product will tell you to keep your distance, protect yourself and keep children and pets away. In the middle of a hedge, that is hard to achieve.
If you have already used something on the nest, wash your hands, and keep children and pets away from the area. Tell the technician what was used, if you know, so that they can plan the visit.
What to do instead
Do almost nothing.
- Stay away from the hedge, and keep everyone else away.
- Mark the area from a distance.
- Note what you have seen: where the wasps go in, what time they are busiest.
- Cover food and drink in the garden.
- Ring a qualified technician.
If you are stung, wash the sting, remove it if visible and use a cold pack. Ring 999 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash. A person with a known allergy should discuss it with their GP as well.
Be wary of advice from friends and neighbours too. Everyone has a story of how they did it themselves, but you do not hear about the times it went wrong. A nest in a hedge is different from one in a shed or a wall, and what worked on one may not work on another.
It is also worth remembering that the nest cannot be left to its own devices if it is by a path, a play area or a door. The kind thing to do for yourself and your neighbours is to get it dealt with, rather than hoping for the best until autumn.
The professional route
A fully insured, qualified technician will treat the nest safely and effectively in one visit. The price is a fixed £120 per nest, with £60 for any additional nest on the same property. There is no call-out charge, and no hidden fees. Domestic and commercial customers are welcome, and we are open seven days a week with same-day service.
To book, ring 01622 410 019 or use the online booking form. Say if anyone at home is allergic to stings, so the booking can be prioritised.
Afterwards
Ask the technician when the hedge is safe to approach and whether the empty nest can be taken down. In future, keep an eye on the hedge from late April, and leave anything that looks like a nest to a professional.
Finally, keep a note of what you have seen and when: the time wasps are busiest, where they enter and whether the numbers have changed. This will help the technician far more than any home remedy would have helped the hedge.
To sum up, stay back, stay calm and make the call. A professional will do in one visit what a dozen home remedies cannot.
Wasps on your property in Crayford?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.