Wasp Control

Queen Wasp starts to emerge from hibernation as the temperature gets warmer in the UK. Typically, between the months of May — October, the queen wasp finds a location to start building a nest.

She then lays her larvae and produces worker wasps, which then do the job of fetching more nest-building material, food and nurse the wasp grubs.

Around mid to late June is when you notice the wasp activity and the sound of buzzing if the wasp nest is close to your property.

The wasp nest will range in size, and it is common to have more than one wasp nest on your homestead, but likely you will only notice the more dominant nest.

Every month the nest will grow in size and the average wasp population is between 2000 -5000 wasps per nest. Larger wasp nests have estimated up to 20,000 wasps.

Signs of wasp nests

If you’re seeing a large number of wasps in and around your home or work, there’s probably a wasps’ nest or a substantial attractant nearby.

Wasp nests’ come in many different shapes and sizes. They’re amazing pieces of architecture that can contain up to 5,000 wasps during peak activity in late Summer.

They build their nest using chewed wood and saliva to make a papier-mache material. The nest material is durable, lightweight and surprisingly waterproof.

Hundreds of wasps produce this papery material to build out their nest. Every wasps’ nest is both unique and shares characteristics with other colonies of the same species.

Here are 4 of the most common wasp species found in the UK.

• European hornet (Vespa crabro)
• Yellow-legged Asian hornet (Vespa velutina)
• Common/German wasp (Vespula vulgaris/germanica)
• Red wasp (Vespula rufa)

How many species of wasps are there in the UK?

There are approximately 9,000 species of wasp in the UK. These include the parasitic wasps, some of which are so tiny, they can barely be seen without a microscope. 250 of these are the larger wasps which have a stinger.

How to get rid of wasp nests

When wasps are causing a nuisance or endangering human health, we may have to destroy a wasps’ nest.

Treating a wasp nest can be very dangerous. Wasps inside the nest will feel threatened and often become aggressive. This could cause them to sting you and others as they defend their nest resulting in multiple stings Unlike bees, wasps do not die after one sting, they can, and will, sting you quite a few times!

Remember, not every wasps’ nest needs destroying — so if it’s well away from a building in a rarely used part of the garden, you might want to just leave it alone.

Wasps abandon their nests after the Summer and won’t return to it the following year.

Should all wasps’ nests be treated?

No. Wasps should only be treated if they pose a risk to public health and safety.

Wasps can be beneficial in gardens as they feed their grubs on caterpillars and other insects, thereby reducing these pest populations.

What does treatment involve?

For the treatment of wasps, the nest does not need to be removed but treated with a professional use insecticide. Our Pest Management Service use the right tool to reach and treat even the most inaccessible of nests. Please ensure all ponds are covered, but you normally do not need to leave your home during or after treatment.

The nest is sprayed with a dust or liquid insecticide. Exterminated nests are not removed, as wasps will not re-inhabit them. There is no reason to re-visit unless the nest is still active 14 days after treatment.

At the time of the visit, we will leave with you an advice sheet. This includes information on your treatment, the chemicals used, health and safety precautions and other relevant advice as well as our terms and conditions.

What happens when a treatment is carried out?

A pest controller will visit your premises and assess the location of the wasps’ nest

The pest technician will wear protective clothing and spray an insecticide directly into the wasps’ nest

The insecticide can be harmful to pets and fish and must not be inhaled by humans, it is therefore important that it is sprayed professionally

There may be occasions if the wasp nest is accessible and cannot be accessed safely using the specialist equipment, then alternative methods will need exploring.

How much does it cost to treat wasps?

In the UK, the cost of wasp treatment varies across each region. If you live in Barnsley, South Yorkshire you will expect to pay £50 for professional wasp treatment from a certified pest control company.

However, in the neighbouring towns of Sheffield and Leeds to prices are £65. Then any additional wasp nest treated at the same time cost £10 extra per nest. Also, most pest services will leave the wasp nest in place and kill it with pesticide.

To remove the dead wasp nest will result and an extra charge of up to £30 depending on if the nest is accessible.

Pest Control Service

Pest control companies offer a range of pest control services (including rats, mice, wasps and flea treatment) they ensure that you and the pest control operatives are adequately protected. When you book an appointment you will be asked a series of questions to help us identify the best way to keep everyone safe. Let the pest service know if you or anyone in your household is in a vulnerable group or at risk from Anaphylaxis.

Can I remove an old nest?

If you find an old nest, during the winter it will be empty and therefore can be safely removed

Wasps will never return to an old nest so it does not need to be removed unless it is unsightly

If you do want a nest removed following a wasp treatment, the pest control officer can remove the nest at an additional cost of the wasp treatment.

Can you have a delayed allergic reaction to a wasp sting?

Because bee and wasp venom are strong stimulants of the immune response, people who have experienced toxic reactions may produce antibodies to the venom and be at risk for future systemic anaphylactic reactions to stings. Delayed reactions are uncommon and occur even days to weeks after the sting.

When should I be concerned about a wasp sting?

Signs that you may be having a serious allergic reaction to a bee or wasp sting include wheezing, swelling of throat and tongue, rash or hives, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. If you are experiencing these symptoms you should call 999 or seek immediate medical attention at the nearest A&E.

Help to Prevent wasps and their nests

Prevention is always better than cure. There are things you can do to stop wasps invading your home or business.

Windows and doors

Simply keeping your home secure will stop wasps wandering into the house. Standard fly screens can help stop wasps getting in while remaining cool in the hotter months.

Keep your bins shut

Open bins will attract greedy wasps looking for a cheap, sweet meal. Keep your bins away from the house and make sure the lid is on properly.

Check for nests early

You can check all the most likely spots of wasps each Spring when the nests are tiny and easy to deal with. They’ll be about the size of a golf ball. Check the loft, garage, shed and under eaves.

Why are wasps so aggressive?

People’s behaviour and choices tend to be the reason that wasps become so aggressive, whether they realise it or not. Wasps are very protective of their nests, and when a human gets too close to their abode, they feel triggered to protect the nest. You can walk right up near a wasp nest unwittingly, and get attacked.

Biology Of Wasps

Adult wasps have four sparsely veined, membranous wings, and most species have their abdomen joined to the thorax across a very narrow waist. Wasps have chewing mouthparts, useful for masticating their food and for pulping wood to manufacture the paper that wasps often use to build the cell-like walls of their nests. The ovipositor of female wasps is modified into a stinger, located at the end of their abdomen. This organ can deliver a dose of venom to kill or paralyse other insects which may be eaten or used as a living provision for young wasps. The social wasps will also aggressively sting large animals if they feel that their nest is threatened.

There are males and females of most species of wasps. However, as with most species in the order Hymenoptera, males are normally produced from non-fertilised eggs in a developmental process known as parthenogenesis.

The social wasps are relatively large insects that live in colonies of various size. Vespid wasps develop colonies with three castes: queens, drones, and workers. The drones are relatively short-lived males and serve only to fertilise the queens.

The queens are long-lived wasps, and their major function is to initiate a colony and then spend their life laying eggs. Once a colony is established, the eggs and young are tended by workers which are non-fertile female wasps that can be very numerous in large colonies. Social wasps cooperatively feed their developing young on a continuous basis, often with chewed-up insects and other animal-derived foods.

Pest control contracts and domestic premises

Whether you are a business seeking a pest control service or currently have a contract, a quick response is necessary to stop you, your customers and staff at potential risk.

Also if you are a homeowner or rent, domestic pest control is just a phone call away as most local pest experts provide a rapid response for hazardous pest situations.

Ref: wiltshire.gov.uk — derby.gov.uk — bpca.org.uk — buglife.org.uk — https://science.jrank.org/pages/7285/Wasps-Biology-wasps.html