Can You Remove a Wasp Nest Yourself? Advice for Weavering Homeowners
A can from the shelf looks like a quick fix, but a short burst at a busy nest can leave you with angry wasps, a damaged wall and the nest still active.
The appeal of a quick spray
When a wasp nest appears on a house, the first thought is often to nip down to a shop, pick up a can and spray it. The packaging promises speed and distance, and on a warm evening it can feel like a sensible five-minute job. The reality is usually very different.
A nest is not a single target. It is a layered structure with an entrance hole and a large population inside, and a spray reaches mainly the wasps near the opening. Those that are inside, out foraging or just returning are unaffected. A colony can hold between 2,000 and 10,000 or more wasps at its peak in August, so the entrance is only a very small part of the picture.
In Weavering, as anywhere else, a nest might sit in a gap in the eaves, a hole in a wall or a cavity in a garden structure. Many of these positions cannot be reached by a spray from a safe distance, and you may have to get far closer than is wise.
So the honest answer for anyone considering a shop spray is that it can look as though it has worked while leaving the nest and many of its occupants intact.
What happens to the wasps you do not reach
Wasps respond to a threat to the nest as a group. A spray causes alarm and activity, and the ones that fly out are then actively looking for the source of the disturbance. That is usually you.
Returning workers find a nest that has been interfered with, and they can be more defensive than before. Someone who thought the problem had gone can then be stung by wasps that arrive an hour later while they are sitting on the patio or taking washing in.
There is also the question of where the wasps go. If the entrance is affected they may find a different way out, and a nest in a cavity wall or roof void can break through into a loft or a room. A householder who sprays from outside can end up with wasps inside.
Nothing here depends on the product. It is the nature of an active colony. Even a well-aimed attempt is working against a nest with thousands of occupants that will respond together.
Practical hazards beyond the wasps
There are other risks that people tend not to think about until afterwards.
- Fumes can drift back onto the person spraying, particularly if the nest is above head height or in a confined spot such as a porch.
- Anything spilt or overspray lands on the wall, paintwork or plants, and leaves a mess you then have to deal with.
- Children and pets that approach the area afterwards can come into contact with residue or with agitated wasps.
- You may be tempted to spray at dusk, using a torch, which brings you closer and makes you more likely to trip.
Always follow the safety instructions on any product you use, and keep other people and animals clear. But the simplest way to avoid every one of these problems is not to use a shop spray on an active nest at all. If you already have a can at home, leave it in the cupboard and keep your distance from the nest.
Doing nothing is also an option for a short while
If the nest is well away from the house, in a tree at the bottom of the garden for example, and nobody goes near it, there is no emergency. You can watch from a distance and decide calmly. Wasps are only a real problem when the nest sits close to where people live, play or work.
That calm approach is very different from a hurried attempt with a can. Treat the decision as one you can make over a cup of tea, with the nest in view from the kitchen window rather than from a ladder.
The things that should move you to book quickly are wasps coming indoors, a nest by a door, a window or a path, a child or pet being stung, or an allergic person in the household. Nests in a roof or wall cavity also deserve prompt attention, because the wasps can reach living space.
Safe things to do instead
You can help the situation a lot without touching the nest.
- Keep everyone away from the area, including pets, and close nearby windows.
- Watch from a distance and note where the wasps are going in and out.
- Cover or remove sweet drinks and food waste outdoors.
- Do not wave or swat at wasps that approach, since this can make them more defensive.
If you are stung, wash the area, remove a visible sting and apply a cold pack. Dial 999 without delay if there is a widespread rash, swelling of the face, lips or throat, dizziness or wheezing or difficulty breathing. Anyone who knows they are allergic should speak to their GP about it, and should tell us when booking.
Booking a technician
Wasp nests start to be built from late April, depending on the weather, and the colony peaks in August. The earlier a nest is dealt with, the less time it has to grow, but it is never too late to book. Wasp Exterminator Kent charges a fixed price of £120 per nest, with one visit guaranteed. Any additional nest on the same property is £60 per nest, there is no call-out charge, and there are no added costs for location or time of day.
Technicians are fully insured and qualified, and the service covers domestic and commercial properties seven days a week, with same-day service offered. Evening and weekend appointments are available too.
To get a quote or book, phone 01622 410 019, or use the online form on the contact page. The form can also be used for emergency service outside normal office hours. Tell the technician what you have seen of the flight path, and ask at booking whether the empty nest can be taken down once it has been treated.
Wasps on your property in Weavering?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.