Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for Westwell Leacon Gardens
Old garden walls develop crevices over time, and each one is a potential nursery for a queen, which is why a wall can host nests in several different summers.
Walls that age gracefully, and invitingly
A garden wall is one of the great pleasures of a mature plot, and one of the commonest nest sites. Over decades, mortar crumbles, bricks shift, and small cracks widen into hollows. Behind the face of the wall there may be rubble, soil or an air gap, and the whole structure is dry, sheltered and rarely disturbed.
If a wasp nest turned up in your wall last year, the colony is long gone, and the nest will not be used again. But the wall is still there, and the hole is still open. A new queen assessing the wall in spring will find exactly what her predecessor did.
This is the sense in which wasps return. It is the site that is reused, not the nest.
Brick and stone walls in older gardens also tend to be thicker than modern ones, with a core of rubble that holds a great deal of empty space. A small entrance can lead into a large cavity, which is one reason a wall nest can be much bigger than you would guess from the hole.
Reading a wall for weak points
You do not need technical skills to look at a wall. On a dry winter day, walk along it slowly, at a distance of about an arm’s length, and look at the surface in good light.
- Mortar that is recessed, powdery or missing
- Bricks or stones that are loose or have shifted
- Holes where a pipe, cable or bracket once passed through
- The junction between the wall and a gatepost or the house
- The coping at the top, if it is damaged or lifting
If you find a hole, shine a torch inside, but do not put a hand in. Dark space that goes back further than the light can reach is the sort a queen prefers.
If the wall retains soil on one side, look at the soil side as well. Cracks that let water through also let insects through, and the earth behind the wall may be loose and full of hollows. A hole on the garden face may connect to one on the other side.
Repointing and repair
Repairs to old walls are a job for someone who understands the material. The wrong mortar can damage old brickwork, so ask a bricklayer or builder rather than filling the gaps yourself with whatever is to hand.
Do the work in the cold months. Repair at that time of year gives the mortar time to cure before the spring, and you are not trapping any insects. If wasps were using a gap last year, the builder can seal it knowing that the colony is long gone.
You can reduce the number of gaps by keeping gutters and downpipes clear. Water running down a wall speeds up the decay of mortar, and a dry wall lasts longer.
Take photographs before and after the repair. A record of the work helps you to remember what has been done, and it is useful if you need to show the builder where a gap was.
Climbers, soil and stored materials
Plants growing against a wall make it hard to see the surface. Ivy in particular roots into mortar and keeps the wall damp while hiding the openings. If you want to keep the plant, trim it back in winter so you can inspect the brickwork underneath.
Soil piled against the base of a wall can bridge any gap at ground level. A pile of leaves, a stack of planters or a compost heap against the bricks gives a queen extra cover. Move them away by a hand’s width or more so that you can see the foot of the wall.
A wall that is covered in moss or lichen is not necessarily a problem, but it can hide hairline cracks. Brush it lightly in winter with a soft brush to see what lies beneath.
Do not forget the top of the wall. Coping stones that have lifted or slipped leave a long, narrow slot along the length of the wall, and a queen can follow it a surprising distance.
When you notice traffic at the wall
In late spring or summer, a wasp that flies into a gap and comes out again within moments is probably nesting. Mark the spot with a note rather than a physical mark, so that you do not disturb the wall. Stay at least a few metres away, and keep children and pets from that part of the garden.
Do not stuff the hole with paper or filler. A blocked entrance makes the colony look for another route, and that may lead into a room.
Watch from a fixed spot and at the same time each day for two or three days if you are not sure. A pattern of traffic in the same place at the same hour is convincing evidence.
Booking us
A nest in a garden wall can be treated for a fixed £120 per nest, with a second nest on the same property at £60 extra. No call-out charge applies, and the price is the same whatever the location or time of day. The person who attends is a fully insured and qualified technician, and the price includes one visit guaranteed.
To book, ring 01622 410 019 or complete the form on the contact page at /contact-us/. We serve Westwell Leacon and the surrounding villages seven days a week, with same-day service and evening and weekend slots. Mention any sting allergy at booking so that the appointment can be prioritised.
Please describe the wall and roughly how high the hole is. A low gap in a garden wall is easier to reach than a high one, and the technician can come prepared.
Wasps on your property in Westwell Leacon?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.