When Is Wasp Season in Shorne?
A nest in a tree or hedge can be invisible all summer and obvious in November, which makes the leafy season the hardest time to find it.
A nest behind the leaves
Wasps build nests in trees and bushes as well as in buildings and the ground. In spring, with the branches bare or only in early leaf, a nest in a tree is easy to see if you look. By summer, thick foliage hides it completely.
For anyone with a hedge, an old tree or a screen of shrubs in Shorne, this makes wasp season a tricky one to read. The nest is started from late April, depending on the weather, grows through the summer and reaches its peak in August, all behind a curtain of leaves. Then, when the leaves drop in autumn, it is suddenly there for all to see.
The most useful thing you can do is understand how that cycle looks so that you can pick up clues while the foliage is still thick.
Spring: the best time to see
Early in the year, branches are comparatively open, and the first nests are small. If you can stand back and look into the branches and the hedge from a distance, there is a good chance of spotting wasp activity.
- Look for wasps going in and out of the same point in a hedge or a tree.
- Check forks in trees and dense, tangled shrubs.
- Look at the ivy or climbers on walls and fences, since they often hide gaps.
- Look at the spaces between a hedge and the fence behind it.
Spring is the best time to deal with nests, so a nest in a tree or hedge found in May is a gift. It is small, its position is clear and the work is simple. Do not clip, trim or shake the branch in the hope of dislodging it.
Evergreen hedges deserve special attention, because they keep their cover all year, and leaf fall will not reveal anything. In those, the traffic is the only evidence you will ever get, so make a habit of pausing to watch the hedge on warm afternoons, especially along a path or boundary where people walk.
Summer: working out what is behind the leaf screen
By July, you may not be able to see into the hedge at all. The sign is the same traffic as before: a line of wasps flying purposefully to a certain spot. In dense foliage you may notice the sound before the sight, a steady hum coming from a particular part of a bush.
This is when garden jobs become dangerous. Hedge trimmers, loppers and chainsaws shake the branches and drive straight into the colony. Many stings in the garden come from cutting a hedge without noticing what was in it.
Before you take any shears to a hedge in summer, stand still and listen. If there is a hum, or you see wasps in a line, put the tools down and walk away. A live nest should not be approached, and wasps can swarm and sting if threatened.
August and September: the colony at full strength
At the peak, a tree or hedge nest holds from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps. If the hedge runs along a boundary, the path, the washing line or the patio, that is a lot of insects close to everyday life.
Late summer brings the sweet-seeking stretch, and wasps will be more noticeable around anywhere with food and drink. A nest in a hedge by the picnic table is an obvious source. A nest in a tree at the end of the garden may still send wasps across to the house.
If a hedge nest is close to a neighbour, let them know, so that nobody starts cutting it. A short conversation is usually all it takes, and it may prevent an accident.
If you pay a gardener or a contractor to trim your trees, tell them if you suspect a nest. Do it before they arrive, not when they have the equipment running. Professionals will happily postpone a job for the sake of safety, and it protects both of you.
November: the leaves fall and the nest appears
When the leaves come down, a nest that has been hidden all season is suddenly visible. People often get a shock, as they realise how close it was and how large.
Do not assume it is safe just because it is autumn. If wasps are still active, it is still a live nest. If the colony has gone quiet, treat the nest with respect until you have had advice. When you book, ask whether the technician can take the empty nest down afterwards. Do not use a pole, a ladder or a hose to knock it down.
Make a note of exactly where it was. Next spring, that tree or hedge is the first place to look.
Getting help with a tree or hedge nest
Wasp Exterminator Kent treats nests in trees, bushes, hedges, walls, roofs and the ground. The price is a fixed £120 per nest, with one visit guaranteed, and an additional nest on the same property is £60 each. There is no call-out charge, and the price does not change with the position of the nest or the time of day.
Opening hours cover all seven days, with same-day service and a choice of evening or weekend appointments. Technicians are fully insured and qualified and work on both domestic and commercial properties. If you prefer to write, the booking form on the contact page does the same job as a call to 01622 410 019. Tell the team if someone at home is allergic, so the booking can be prioritised.
When you book, give as clear a description as you can: which tree or hedge, how high the entrance seems to be, and what is nearby. A nest high in a tree needs different preparation from one low in a bush, and the more detail you can give, the smoother the visit.
Wasps on your property in Shorne?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.