Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for New Ash Green Gardens
Taking down an old, empty wasp nest is a simple job when done at the right time and with a little care, and it clears the way for a spring check.
First, is it really empty?
The question of whether to remove an old nest comes after the question of whether it is old. A nest that looks abandoned in October may still have a few late wasps on it. By midwinter, after a spell of properly cold weather, it is almost certain to be empty.
The signs of an empty nest are clear: no insects coming or going, no sound when you stand nearby, and a papery surface that looks dull, faded or torn. A live nest is firm, grey or buff in colour, and has traffic at the entrance.
Wasps do not reuse nests. That means there is no need to rush, and nothing to gain from taking risks. If you are not certain, wait or ask.
It also helps to know what a fresh nest feels like to the eye. If the paper is a smooth, even grey or tan, with sharp lines and no rips, it may have been in use quite recently. Brittle paper with patches missing suggests it has been abandoned for some time.
What you need
Gather everything before you go near the nest, so that you are not rummaging about with one eye on it.
- Sturdy gloves and a long-sleeved top
- A strong bin bag, or two, that is big enough to enclose the whole nest
- Secateurs or a small saw, if it is attached to a branch
- A torch, if it is in a dark space
- Someone to hold a ladder if you need one
Do not use a ladder alone, and do not try to remove a nest from a position that you cannot reach comfortably with both feet on the ground.
Keep the bags handy near where you will be working, already opened, so that you do not have to hunt around with your hands full. Two people make the job easier, with one holding the bag and the other cutting.
Doing it step by step
Choose a cold, dry day. Approach slowly, and watch for a minute.
- Hold the open bag beneath the nest.
- Cut the branch or detach the nest from its mounting, letting it fall into the bag.
- Fold the bag over and close it with a tie, without squeezing.
- Put the bag in an outdoor bin or take it to a household waste site as you normally would.
- Wash your hands, and check your clothes before going indoors.
If you meet any resistance or see even one wasp, step back, close the bag if you can and leave. You can try again on a colder day.
Move slowly and avoid sudden jerks. Even an empty nest can be heavier than it looks, especially if it is damp, and you do not want to drop it or have it tear open in your hands.
Check the area around the nest for loose paper afterwards. Small fragments can lie around for days, and it is better to sweep them up than to let someone pick them up with bare hands.
When to leave it alone
There are times when the best option is to do nothing for now. A nest inside a wall cavity, under tiles or deep in a chimney cannot be reached without damaging the building. A nest high in a tree is a risk for anyone on a ladder. A nest of uncertain age, with any sign of activity, should be left until it is proved empty.
When you book a visit for a live nest, you can ask the technician whether the empty nest can be taken down. Do not assume that this is part of the job; ask at booking.
A nest that has been in a loft for many months may also be fragile and crumble as you handle it. In that case it is easier to remove in sections and bag as you go, but again only if you are sure it is empty.
Think too about the surface the nest was attached to. If it was fixed to a rafter, a beam or a wall, you may find a stain or a patch of residue. That is simply dried paper and nothing to worry about, but it marks the spot so that you can find it again in spring.
After the nest is gone
Taking down the nest is half the work. The other half is looking at the place where it was. Is there a gap that let the queen in? Is there a hole in the soffit, an opening in a shed wall or a cavity in the hedge?
Close or tidy the spot while nothing is active. In New Ash Green, as anywhere, that leaves a queen with fewer choices in spring. Note the spot in a diary for late April.
If you cannot get rid of the nest straight away, store the sealed bag outside until bin day. Keep it where children and pets cannot reach it.
If you find you are dealing with a live nest
Stop work and walk away calmly. Do not swat or run. Wasps can swarm and sting if threatened, and the sting is far worse in numbers. Wash any sting, remove it if visible and use a cold pack. For swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash, call 999.
A live nest costs £120 per nest to treat, and an additional nest on the same property is £60 extra, with no call-out charge. The technicians who attend are fully insured and qualified, and the price includes one visit guaranteed. Call us on 01622 410 019, or fill in the booking form at /contact-us/. We work seven days a week with same-day service and evening and weekend appointments.
Please do not try to treat a live nest yourself, however small. It is a job for a trained technician with the right equipment.
If you cannot tell whether the nest is live, observe from a distance for a few minutes at midday, when any activity would be at its greatest. A quiet nest on a warm day is almost certainly finished.
Wasps on your property in New Ash Green?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.