Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for Wye Gardens
A greenhouse is warm, sheltered and full of corners, so it makes sense to check it each spring even though last year’s wasp nest will never be reused.
Why growers meet wasps early
Anyone who grows under glass or plastic tends to be in the garden early in the year, which means they are often the first to see a queen. A greenhouse warms up quickly on a spring morning, and the first big wasp of the year may well wander in through a vent, drawn by the warmth and the light.
Most of the time she is just passing through. Occasionally she is looking for a site. A greenhouse has plenty of corners, frames and hollow spaces that look promising, and the clutter of pots, trays and tools in a working greenhouse adds more.
If you found an old nest in the greenhouse last autumn, it was built for one season. Those wasps are gone, and the nest will not be reoccupied. What you want to avoid is a new queen deciding that the same corner is worth a try.
Polytunnels and cold frames behave in much the same way on a smaller scale. A cold frame lid propped open on a sunny day is an open invitation, and the gap between the frame and the soil is out of sight. Even a simple cloche left on the ground over winter can end up with a queen tucked inside.
Where a nest might start
Look at the structure with fresh eyes. The most likely spots are not in the middle of the open space but in the margins and the hidden gaps.
- The gap between the aluminium or timber frame and the base wall
- The hollow ends of staging and shelving
- Stacked pots, seed trays and spare cloches
- Folded netting, fleece or shading, stored in a corner
- The space behind a water butt or beside the door
- The folds of polytunnel plastic where it meets the hoops
A queen needs enough room to build a first nest the size of a walnut, and she will use anything that offers darkness and shelter.
Most growers also store a surprising amount of material in the greenhouse over winter. Bags of compost, rolls of capillary matting, bamboo canes and old bubble wrap all create soft, dark spaces. None of them is wrong to keep, but they are worth moving and shaking out before the season starts.
A winter reset
The quiet months are the time to tidy the greenhouse, and the same job doubles as wasp prevention.
- Empty and stack pots and trays on shelves, not in a heap on the floor.
- Roll up and store netting and fleece in sealed containers.
- Clean out the gaps along the base and look for holes in the wall below the frame.
- Check that vents close properly and that the door fits.
- Mend broken panes and torn polythene.
- Remove any old nest, wearing gloves, once you are sure it is empty.
This takes an afternoon, and it makes the spring sowing season easier too.
Wear gloves when you handle anything that has been stored for months, and lift items slowly rather than tipping them. A queen asleep in a fold of plastic can wake up quickly in a warm greenhouse and will not thank you for it.
Working in the greenhouse in spring
From the end of April, give the structure a glance every time you go in. If you see a large wasp walking along a frame or investigating a corner, open the door and vent and let her leave. She will usually fly out within a few minutes.
If she keeps coming back to the same spot, and especially if she disappears into a gap, make a note and keep your distance. A small nest at this stage may be hard to see, but the behaviour is a clue. Do not pack the gap with anything, as that may provoke her.
Watering and tending plants near a nest requires care, as vibration and movement near the entrance will unsettle the colony.
A greenhouse door that stays open all day on a sunny morning needs a simple fly screen or curtain of fine mesh. It lets air in and keeps out most of the wanderers, and it is a small cost compared with the trouble of a nest.
What to do about a nest among your plants
A nest in a greenhouse is difficult because you need to work there. Keep the door closed, tape a note to the outside and warn anyone who helps you. Seedlings and tomato plants can look after themselves for a few days, and they are not worth a sting.
Do not use fans, smoke or sprays on a nest. Wasps can swarm and sting in a confined space, and a greenhouse offers them little room to disperse. If someone is stung, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and apply a cold pack. Swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash need a 999 call.
Think too about the people who work with you. A neighbour who waters while you are away, or a child who helps pot up seedlings, needs to know about any area to avoid.
Arranging a visit
We treat nests in greenhouses, sheds and gardens across Wye and the surrounding villages. The price is fixed at £120 per nest, with a second nest on the same property at £60 extra. There is no call-out charge. Technicians are fully insured and qualified, and every treatment carries one visit guaranteed.
The number to call is 01622 410 019, or fill in the booking form at /contact-us/. We open seven days a week, and offer same-day service, as well as evening and weekend appointments for growers who work during the day. If someone at home is allergic to stings, tell us when booking so that the visit can be prioritised.
Wasps on your property in Wye?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.