When Is Wasp Season in Crayford?
If your outdoor space is a balcony, a yard or a small patio, wasps have less room to wander and you have less room to avoid them, so small habits matter more.
Small spaces, close contact
A large garden gives you room to keep away from wasps. A balcony, a yard or a small patio does not. The table is close to the wall, the bin is a few steps away, and the neighbours' windows and plants are within arm's reach. That makes the wasp calendar more relevant, not less.
Late April is when nest-building starts, weather permitting. Growth continues all summer, August is the high point, and in the weeks after that wasps are strongly drawn to sugary food and drink. For a household in Crayford, in the London Borough of Bexley, using a small outdoor space, the key is to manage what you can control and to know what to do about what you cannot.
This article looks at the season from the point of view of a small space.
A small space can also be an advantage, because you see changes quickly and you can act at once.
Spring: look at what is around you
In late April and May, spend a few minutes looking at the edges of your space. In a small area, you can often see all the likely nest sites from one spot.
- The wall, the window frames and the eaves above you.
- Gaps around pipes, vents and meter boxes.
- Planters, trellis, climbers and fences.
- Storage boxes, sheds or bike stores.
- The ground and gaps between paving.
If you see a wasp flying repeatedly to one place, take a note. The nest may be on your side, your neighbour's side or the building above. Early spring is the best time to deal with nests, so tell whoever is responsible for the building as soon as you can.
If you can reach the outside of the window or look down from above, check the upper edges of the building as well. Wasps often start high, where it is warm and undisturbed.
Window boxes and hanging baskets deserve a look, since a wasp checking the compost for a place to start is easy to mistake for one looking for nectar.
Summer: eating and drinking outside
In a small space, a wasp at the table is hard to avoid. A few habits reduce the chance.
- Keep food covered until you eat it.
- Use lidded or straw cups for sweet drinks.
- Clear plates and glasses straight away.
- Keep the bin lid shut and the bin away from the seating.
- Water plants in the morning and evening, and do not leave pools of water on the ground.
Pay attention to hanging baskets and flowering plants. Wasps visit flowers and may shelter in dense foliage, so check before you reach in to pick or water.
Small spaces often have a lot of containers, and wasps like to investigate the gaps behind them. Move pots and boxes occasionally to see what is behind them, well before the summer.
August and September: the busy weeks
At the peak, a nest can hold from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps, and in late summer they are very interested in sweet things. A balcony with an open can of drink, a plate of fruit or a barbecue is a target.
If wasps are coming and going from the building itself, from a gap in the wall, a vent or the eaves, it is a sign that a nest is close. Wasps can swarm and sting if they feel threatened, so do not try to deal with it yourself. Keep the balcony door closed in the evening, close windows nearby and keep children and pets inside.
In a small space, it is also worth knowing that a nest does not need to be on your side to be your problem. A nest a few feet away still affects you.
A clothes airer or washing line is another thing to think about. Wasps can settle on damp clothes and towels, so shake items out before you bring them in.
Think about smells too. Barbecue smoke, sweet cooking and hung-out laundry fragranced with fabric conditioner can all pull insects towards a balcony, so a small change of habit can help.
Shared buildings and who to tell
If you live in a flat, a terrace or a shared building, a wasp nest raises the question of who is responsible. That depends on your lease or tenancy agreement, and on who owns the part of the building where the nest is, so check the paperwork or ask your landlord or managing agent.
- Tell neighbours who might be affected.
- Tell whoever manages the building.
- Take photos from a safe distance.
- Note the exact position, such as the floor and the nearest window.
Do not wait for others to act if the nest is causing a hazard. Wasp Exterminator Kent can talk you through what to expect, and can treat nests at homes and commercial properties.
Booking
The charge is a fixed £120 for the first nest and £60 for each additional one on the same property, with one visit guaranteed. There is nothing extra to pay for a call-out, and the same price holds morning, evening or weekend. The technicians are fully insured and qualified.
The team is open seven days a week with same-day service, and has evening and weekend appointments. You can reach the team on 01622 410 019, or send a request through the online booking form. Tell the team if anyone is allergic to stings so the booking can be prioritised, and ask whether the empty nest can be taken down afterwards.
If you are not sure whether the nest is on your side or the neighbour's, say so, and describe the position as closely as you can.
Wasps on your property in Crayford?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.