Wasp Nest in a Hedge or Bush – What St Mary's Island Garden Owners Should Know
In a compact garden every shrub is close to the back door, so a wasp nest in a bush brings the problem right to your seating area.
Small gardens, short distances
In a larger garden a nest in the far corner is easy to ignore. In a compact garden there is no far corner. A shrub bed is a few paces from the patio, the washing line and the back door, and wasps flying out from it cross the seating area on every trip.
That proximity changes how you should respond. You cannot simply avoid that end of the garden, and you cannot expect the children or the dog to understand where not to go. It also means that when the colony reaches its peak in August, with anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 wasps or more, the wasp traffic around your table and door can be constant.
Finding the bush that holds it
For a garden with several shrubs in a border, the question is which one. A methodical look from the patio can answer it.
- Sit still with a drink in the shade and watch the border for five minutes, preferably without sweet things on the table.
- Follow the wasps that leave the garden and the ones that return. The shrub they all go to is your suspect.
- Look at the base of the bush as well as the branches. Some nests sit among the stems close to the soil.
- Check evergreens and thick-leaved shrubs first, as they offer the most cover.
- Do not be distracted by flowering shrubs, where wasps are simply feeding.
Once you have a likely candidate, stop watching from close range. Write down which shrub it is and keep away from it.
A compact garden also means that the nest may be very near the fence, so the neighbour's side matters too. If wasps are flying over the fence in both directions, have a quiet word with the people next door, so they are not caught out by it while you wait.
Take a note of what you see before ringing: which shrub, roughly how many wasps pass in a minute, and whether the traffic is steady or in bursts. A quick, clear description saves time and helps the technician bring the right approach on the day.
Living with it for a day or two
Even with fast service, you may have to share your garden with the nest for a short time. Make it easier by changing a few habits.
- Use a different door where you can, and keep the nearest door closed.
- Move the garden furniture to the opposite side of the garden.
- Keep food, drink and bin bags covered, and wipe up any spills.
- Keep children's toys away from the border.
- Do not water, prune or deadhead the shrub.
- If you have a pet, take it out on a lead and avoid the nest side.
If someone is stung, move indoors, wash the sting, remove it if visible and use a cold pack. Call 999 for signs of a serious allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash.
Another thing to bear in mind is that the washing line and parasol are wasp magnets for the wrong reasons: sweet spills, damp towels and sun cream all draw them in. Taking washing in before the evening, and keeping the parasol folded when you are not using it, cuts down the wasps in the seating area.
What the visit looks like
The technician arrives, looks at the border from a safe distance and treats the nest. The visit is done in one go. Our technicians are fully insured and qualified, and the work is safe and effective. The price is fixed at £120 per nest, and a further nest on the same property costs £60 more, with no call-out charge.
Most customers in small gardens ask one practical thing: can they stay in? Keep everyone indoors with windows shut on that side of the house during the visit, and keep pets inside. The technician will tell you when it is safe to come out.
Ask whether the empty nest can be taken down. Some people prefer to leave it, some like it removed, and the technician can discuss it.
The technician may also give you advice on what to leave alone and for how long. Please follow it, and if you see wasp activity continue afterwards beyond the odd straggler, get in touch.
Booking and what to say
Say it is a shrub bed close to the patio. Tell us if anybody is allergic to stings, so the booking can be prioritised. Same-day service is available, and so are evening and weekend appointments, which suit people who work.
The number is 01622 410 019, and the contact page has an online booking form you can also use for emergency requests out of normal hours. We cover St Mary's Island, near Chatham, and the area around it.
Guests are another consideration. If you have a barbecue or family gathering planned, mention it when you book. Same-day service means the nest can often be sorted before the day, and weekend and evening slots help you fit it around other plans.
Afterwards in a small garden
Once you have the all-clear, take the shrub back into your routine slowly. Check the border from a distance for a few days. If you see a stray wasp or two returning to the same spot, that is normal after treatment, but tell the technician if the traffic carries on.
Think about the shrub itself. Dense, dry shrubs against a fence are popular with nesting wasps, and trimming them back in late autumn lets more light and air in. Next spring, a look across the border every week or so from late April will catch any new nest while it is small.
Wasps on your property in St Mary's Island?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.