When Is Wasp Season in Lamberhurst?
A barbecue is a magnet for wasps from midsummer on, and a little planning around the wasp calendar keeps the party from turning into a retreat indoors.
The party and the colony
The garden barbecue season and the wasp season overlap almost exactly. Nests are started from late April, depending on the weather, and by midsummer the colony is large enough to be noticed at the table. In August the nest is at its peak, with anything from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps, and the sweet, sticky food that suits a summer party is exactly what they come for.
Anyone planning a party in Lamberhurst, or a barbecue anywhere else, has a choice. You can ignore the wasps and hope for the best, or you can use the calendar to prepare. The second approach takes little effort and avoids the familiar scene of guests fleeing to the kitchen.
If the party is a wedding, a christening or a milestone birthday, the stakes are higher, and it makes sense to check the garden more than once. Such events tend to be planned months ahead, so you will not know in advance what the season will do.
A fortnight before the event
Two weeks beforehand, go and look at the garden with a critical eye. Walk the area where people will sit, cook and play, and check the surroundings.
- Look at the fence, hedge and eaves nearest the seating.
- Check the shed, the gap behind the water butt and the base of any wall.
- Look at the soil at the edge of the lawn.
- Watch for wasps flying in a regular line.
If you find a nest, book a treatment straight away. It may seem early, but a fortnight is a sensible margin. Wasp Exterminator Kent offers same-day service, evening and weekend appointments and is open seven days a week, but you will be glad of the time. Tell the technician the date of the party.
If you are using a marquee or gazebo, pay attention to the sides and corners, because wasps will use anything that looks like a gap. A tent that has been stored in a shed for the winter should be shaken out before it goes up, in case anything has taken up residence.
Setting up the garden on the day
How you lay out a party makes a real difference to how many wasps turn up.
- Put the bins well away from the seating, and keep their lids down.
- Set the drinks on a separate table from the food, and keep them covered or in a cool box.
- Serve sweet foods, such as puddings, fruit and sauces, late and under covers.
- Use cups with lids or straws.
- Clear plates quickly, and scrape them into a closed bin.
- Place the barbecue away from the main seating so smoke and fat do not hang over the table.
Keep a bottle of water, some wipes and a cold pack in the kitchen. They will be wanted at some point.
Think about where children will play and where older relatives will sit, because both need to be away from the area of concern. The more you can plan the layout in advance, the less you have to rearrange when something goes wrong.
The late-summer sweet-seeking stretch
Parties held in late August and September face a particular challenge. After the peak, wasps are much more interested in sweet food and drink, and the colony is still large. The same barbecue that was fine in June can be overrun in September.
Pay extra attention to drinks. Wasps love cider, lemonade, squash and fizzy drinks, and they will crawl into a can or bottle. Teach guests to look before they sip. Pour drinks into cups when you can, and keep jugs covered.
If wasps are in the garden in numbers despite your precautions, it may be a sign that a nest is close. Do not go looking for it. A live nest should be left alone, because wasps can swarm and sting if threatened.
When a wasp lands on a guest
Tell guests to stay calm. The urge to swat or flap is natural, and it tends to make things worse. Moving slowly away from the table is better than leaping up.
If someone is stung, wash the area, take out the sting if visible and use a cold pack. Watch them for a while. Call 999 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash, as these may be signs of a serious allergic reaction. If you know of a guest with an allergy, ask them to take care and consider moving the party indoors.
A well-run party usually has a quiet corner away from the food for exactly this kind of moment.
Afterwards, remember to clear up promptly. Leftover food and drink on tables overnight attract wasps the next morning, and a tidy garden by the end of the evening makes tomorrow far more pleasant.
Making the booking in good time
If you have a nest, the earlier the better. Wasp Exterminator Kent charges a fixed £120 per nest, with one visit guaranteed, and £60 for each extra nest on the same property. There is no call-out charge, and the price is the same at any time of day, including evenings and weekends.
The technicians are fully insured and qualified, and work at homes and commercial premises such as pubs and venues. Call 01622 410 019 or use the booking form on the contact page, and mention any allergy in your household when you do so. Ask whether the empty nest can be taken down afterwards, so that it is not a talking point at the party.
If you are hosting at a pub, club or village hall garden, the same advice applies, and the same pricing covers commercial premises.
Wasps on your property in Lamberhurst?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.