Wasp Nest in a Hedge or Bush – What Frindsbury Extra Garden Owners Should Know
Pets are curious about hedges, and a dog sniffing at the wrong spot can end up with a dozen stings, so here is what to watch for.
The pet who finds it first
A dog's nose is the best nest detector you will ever own, and also the most dangerous. A dog that has found something interesting at the foot of a hedge will pursue it with its whole body: sniffing, pawing, pushing in headfirst. If that something is a wasp nest, the first you know of it may be a yelp, a rush of wasps and a panicking animal.
Cats tend to be more cautious but will still stalk anything that moves in or around a hedge. Pets that are stung around the face and mouth can swell up quickly. Even small dogs can have multiple stings within seconds, and the colony in August may hold 2,000 to 10,000 wasps or more.
Hedges at the edge of the garden are often where the dog goes to patrol, and the same spot becomes a routine stop on each walk. A dog that has been stung there once may keep returning, either through curiosity or fear, so it is worth redirecting the habit with a lead and treats away from the hedge.
Behaviour that gives it away
Before there is any incident, a pet will often tell you something is wrong.
- A dog that keeps going back to the same spot in the hedge, tail up and nose down, then backs off with a shake of its head.
- A cat that stares at the hedge for long stretches.
- A dog that snaps at the air near the hedge or brushes at its face.
- A pet that suddenly refuses to go into part of the garden.
If your pet shows any of this, look at the hedge yourself, from a distance, for wasp traffic. Calm and slow works better than rushing over.
Neighbours with dogs should be warned as well, since a nest in a boundary hedge can affect both gardens. A short message is enough to keep another pet out of trouble.
Reassure children, too. A frightened child who has seen a dog stung may want to rush to help. Explain that everyone stays indoors until the nest has been dealt with, and that the dog will be looked after by a grown-up.
If your pet is stung
Get them away from the hedge at once and indoors. Check their face and mouth. A few stings may only cause brief distress, but swelling around the face or throat, difficulty breathing, vomiting or collapse needs immediate attention from a vet. Do not wait to see how it develops.
Do not go back to the hedge to look at the nest. Make the pet comfortable, call your vet for advice, and then arrange for the nest to be dealt with.
If a person was stung as well, wash the sting, remove it if visible and apply a cold pack. Call 999 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash.
Do not try to examine the sting site yourself if your pet is distressed. Dogs in pain may snap, even at the people they love. Keep calm, speak quietly and call your vet for guidance. If there is any breathing difficulty, go straight to the vet without delay.
Keeping animals away until the visit
Until the technician has been, keep pets out of the garden or restrict them to a part away from the hedge.
- Put a lead on dogs for every trip outside, and keep them on the side of the path farthest from the hedge.
- Fence off or block the area with a gate or garden furniture.
- Let cats out only if you can supervise or if their usual route avoids the hedge.
- Bring pet food and water bowls indoors, since wasps are attracted to them.
- Clear up dog mess promptly, as it also attracts insects.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens in outdoor runs near the hedge should be moved further away if that is possible without going near the nest.
Many people also forget outdoor items: a dog bed near the hedge, a hutch, a bird bath, water bowls. Wasps visit all of them. Moving them away from the hedge reduces contact between pets and wasps while you wait for the visit.
Treatment
A fully insured, qualified technician treats the nest in a single visit. Wasp Exterminator Kent charges a fixed £120 per nest, with a further £60 for any additional nest at the same address. There are no call-out charges and no extra for the time of day.
When you call, mention that pets use the garden and say where they spend the most time. We cover Frindsbury Extra and the surrounding villages, and are open seven days a week for domestic and commercial customers. Booking is by phone on 01622 410 019 or through the online form on the contact page, and the technician will tell you when pets can safely go back out.
If your pet is on any medication, or has had a reaction to stings before, make a note to tell your vet. We can only deal with the nest, not with the animal, but speaking to your vet in advance is sensible for any pet that is prone to reactions.
After the nest has gone
Wait for the technician's say-so before letting animals loose in the garden again. When you do, keep your dog on a lead for the first few outings, and check the hedge for stray activity. Ask whether the empty nest can be taken down and whether the hedge base is safe to use.
Make a point of looking over the hedge in spring. If your dog starts to show interest in one spot again, that is your early warning.
Wasps on your property in Frindsbury Extra?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.