When Is Wasp Season in Kilndown?
Pets investigate everything, which makes them the first to find a nest and the last to take a hint, so the wasp calendar matters to them as much as to you.
Why pets are at risk
A dog nosing along a hedge or a cat prowling a shed roof will find a wasp nest long before you do. Animals investigate holes, rustling and movement, and none of them can be told to keep clear. That makes the wasp calendar a pet-owner's concern as well as a household one.
Nests are started from late April, depending on the weather, in gaps in eaves and walls, in trees and bushes, and in holes in the ground. The colony grows through the summer and peaks in August, when a nest can hold from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps. In late summer, wasps become keen on sweet food and drink, and then the colony declines in autumn.
If you share a garden in Kilndown with a pet, the aim is simple: find the nest first, and keep the animal away from it until it has been treated.
Spring: the early walk-round with the dog
You probably already walk the garden with your dog every day. In spring, turn that routine into a useful check.
Watch where the dog goes and what it shows interest in. A sudden fascination with a patch of earth, a gap under the shed or a spot in the hedge may mean there is movement there. Look closely, from a safe distance, at any place the dog keeps coming back to.
- Holes in lawn edges and banks, where wasps may be going in and out.
- The base of fences and sheds.
- Gaps in outbuildings and under the eaves.
- Thick shrubs where the dog likes to snuffle.
Dealing with a nest in early spring is far simpler than leaving it to summer. A small nest found in May is a far easier job than the same nest in August, and it removes the risk of a dog disturbing it.
A hint for cat owners: cats often sit and watch a nest entrance with great concentration. If your cat is staring at the same spot for a long time, take a look yourself from a safe distance.
Summer: restraint and routes
From June, the colony grows and the entrance becomes busier. Dogs that dig, jump at insects or sniff holes are at risk of being stung, and a stung animal may panic and run. It is worth taking control of the route.
If you know or suspect where a nest is, avoid that area on walks around the garden. Keep the dog on a lead if necessary, and block off the spot with a temporary barrier placed from a safe distance. Do not let it dig or chase insects near the area.
Cats are harder to manage, since they cannot be told. Keep them indoors in the evenings if you can, and make sure the cat flap does not give wasps a route in. Small animals such as rabbits or guinea pigs in outdoor hutches should be moved well away from any nest.
Think about the time of day, too. Dogs let out first thing in the morning or last thing at night are less likely to meet wasps in numbers, but a nest can still be defended at any hour, so the safest answer is a lead and a quick look before you open the door.
August and September: food and water bowls
At the peak, and in the later part of the summer, wasps are very interested in sweet things, and a pet's food bowl can attract them. Wet food left out, a bowl of leftovers or a dish of milk will draw wasps in.
- Feed pets indoors if you can, or pick up the bowl as soon as the animal has finished.
- Clean up spilled food around the bowl.
- Keep water bowls clean and in the shade, and check them before the animal drinks.
- Keep pet-waste and food bins closed.
A dog or cat can be stung on the face, paws or inside the mouth, and swelling can be serious. If your pet is stung and shows swelling around the face or difficulty breathing, ring your vet straight away. Do not delay.
Birds and bird feeders also draw wasps. Fruit and sweet food put out for garden birds can bring wasps to a feeder in late summer. Place feeders away from the paths pets use.
Looking after yourself and the family
A frightened pet pulling on a lead or running across the garden can lead to people being stung as well. Stay calm, move away slowly, and take the animal with you.
If a person is stung, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and use a cold pack. In an emergency, such as swelling around the face, lips or throat, wheezing, breathlessness, dizziness or a widespread rash, call 999.
A live nest is not something to approach, whether you have a pet or not. Wasps can swarm and sting if threatened, and an excited animal makes that more likely, so keep the nest area clear until a technician has been.
Booking a treatment
Wasp Exterminator Kent treats nests for a fixed £120 each, with one visit guaranteed, and £60 for any additional nest on the same property. The price does not grow later in the day, and there is no call-out charge. Technicians are fully insured and qualified.
The business is open seven days a week, offers same-day service and has evening and weekend appointments. Getting a visit arranged takes a call to 01622 410 019 or a few lines in the booking form. When you book, mention any allergy in the household. On the day of the visit, keep pets indoors or away from the nest area, and ask whether the empty nest can be taken down.
If your pet has a history of being stung or has reacted badly, tell the technician on the day so that the animal can be kept well away. A quick word is all it takes.
Wasps on your property in Kilndown?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.