Wasp Nest in a Hedge or Bush – What Royal Tunbridge Wells Garden Owners Should Know
For a business, a nest in the planting by the door is a customer-safety problem as well as a nuisance, and it needs a plan.
A nest in front of customers
A wasp nest in a home hedge is a worry. A nest in the shrubs beside a shop door or office entrance is a business problem. Customers, couriers and staff walk past every day, many in a hurry and none aware of what is in the planting. One stung customer is bad for business, and a few wasps wandering in can put people off.
By August a nest can hold 2,000 to 10,000 wasps or more, so you should act as soon as you notice a pattern. Businesses in Royal Tunbridge Wells, in west Kent, are as exposed as anywhere, and the sooner the nest is dealt with, the less disruption it causes.
It is worth keeping a short note of each sighting: the date, the time, the planter and who saw it. If you manage the premises for someone else, such as an owner or head office, that record makes it simple to explain what happened and what was done about it.
Spotting a nest in business planting
Staff who open up and close down each day are best placed to notice.
- Wasps entering the same bush, planter or hedge gap repeatedly.
- Wasps hovering around the door or inside the lobby more than elsewhere.
- Bins by the entrance covered in wasps in the afternoon.
- A hum that appears when you pass the shrubs.
Ask your staff, particularly cleaners and deliveries, whether anyone has been stung. Collect their observations before you call; it helps.
Consider the sort of planting. Evergreen shrubs and clipped hedging in large planters are excellent for wasps because they give shade and shelter all day. Containers sited by a doorway, a car park or a bin store can be a draw. A simple look at the planting each Monday in the early season, from late April, takes a minute and can catch a nest while it is small.
Protecting people in the meantime
Until the visit, limit the exposure.
- Cordon off the planting with a chair, a cone or a sign, kept well back from it.
- Direct visitors to another door, if you have one.
- Keep entrances closed when possible, and check for wasps before opening them.
- Cover bins and clear rubbish more often.
- Tell staff not to prune, water or tidy the planters.
If someone is stung, help them indoors, wash the sting, remove it if visible and use a cold pack. Dial 999 immediately if anyone develops dizziness, wheezing or difficulty breathing, a widespread rash or swelling of the face, lips or throat.
If you manage several premises or a row of units, tell all the tenants about the nest. Customers walk between units, and an unaware business next door can have its staff stung while you wait for a visit. A short, clear notice is enough.
Many businesses employ outside gardeners or cleaners. Contact them at once and ask them to keep clear of the area until the technician has given the all-clear. If you have a rota or a contract, check the dates, since an early-morning visit by a hedge cutter is a common way for nests to be disturbed.
If your business serves food or drink outdoors, the problem is greater. Sweet drinks and cooked food bring wasps from a wide area, and a nest within range of the tables will put customers at risk. Keep tables clear, cover leftovers and empty bins frequently while you wait.
Whatever you do, do not ask staff to spray or swat. Staff who are not trained and are close to a nest are at risk. Make it clear that a technician is on the way, and that the planting is out of bounds until then.
Booking around trading hours
We work with commercial customers as well as domestic ones. A fully insured, qualified technician treats the nest in a single visit, at a fixed £120 per nest, with £60 for any additional nest on the same property. There is no call-out charge, and no extra for the time of day, so an early evening visit costs the same as one in the day.
Because we are open seven days a week, with same-day service and evening and weekend appointments, a visit can usually be arranged when the premises are closed or quiet. Tell us your opening times and where the planting sits in relation to the door.
For a business with an allergic member of staff, this is a priority. Say so on the first call so that the booking can be prioritised. Staff who know they are allergic should speak to their GP about how to manage the risk, and colleagues should know what to do in an emergency, including when to call 999.
What to do about liability and insurance
We cannot give advice on liability or on your insurance. If you are worried, check the terms of your policy and your lease, and ask your landlord or managing agent who looks after external planting. In the meantime, the sensible step is to protect people and get the nest dealt with promptly.
Getting in touch
Call 01622 410 019 or use the booking form on the contact page. If the wasps become a problem outside normal hours, the form can be used for emergency service. Mention any allergies among staff, so the booking can be prioritised. Ask the technician whether the empty nest can be taken down once treated.
After the visit, ask the technician when the planters can be tended again, and whether the empty nest can be taken down. Make a note in the diary for late April to check the planting each season. A minute's look at the right time protects staff and customers all summer.
Wasps on your property in Royal Tunbridge Wells?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.