Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Alphamstone

A sting is painful on the ground, but on a ladder it can lead to a fall, which makes working at height near a nest one of the riskiest wasp situations.

The extra danger of height

Most wasp stings cause pain and swelling, nothing more. On a ladder, scaffold tower or roof, the problem is different. A sudden sting makes people flinch, jerk and grab at the wound. Wasps buzzing around the face lead to ducking and swatting. All of these movements can unbalance a ladder.

A fall can cause far more harm than any number of stings. That is why working at height near a nest is a category of its own, and why even confident DIYers should hold back.

The temptation is strong, because nests often occur at height: under eaves, near chimneys, behind guttering and in roof spaces. People reach for a ladder to look, spray or remove, and that is when the problems start.

Consider an example. A householder notices wasps by the guttering and decides to clear the gutter anyway, placing the ladder against the fascia. Within moments a few wasps become several, the householder twists to swat, and the ladder slides sideways. A short fall onto the lawn follows. No sting caused the injury; the reaction to it did.

Why you should not climb to look

Climbing up to inspect a nest feels reasonable. You want to see how large it is and where the entrance is. In practice, you place your face directly in the flight path of the colony. Guards react to anything close to the entrance, and a person on a ladder is an obvious target.

You also cannot retreat quickly. Coming down a ladder takes time, and wasps that are alarmed will follow you down. Having to concentrate on the rungs while being stung is a poor position.

You can find out most of what you need from the ground. Watch the entrance from a distance, in daylight, and note where it is and how busy. A pair of binoculars, if you have them, gives a closer view without risk.

Footwear and clothing matter at height. Loose sleeves, flapping hoods and sandals all make a descent more awkward. Wear stable shoes, and keep your clothing close to the body.

If you have to use a ladder nearby

Sometimes a job has to be done near the nest area, such as clearing a gutter or checking a roof. If wasps are present and you cannot avoid it, delay the work until the nest has been treated. Where it truly cannot wait, consider whether a professional with the right equipment should do it.

• Never position a ladder directly below or beside the entrance.
• Do not work above head height with powered tools.
• Have someone at the foot of the ladder who is not in the flight path.
• Plan your descent route before you go up.
• Stop immediately if wasps appear in numbers.

A second person can call for help and keep others away.

Garden steps, stools and chairs are no substitute for a ladder, and are less stable still. Do not stand on furniture to check a nest or a gap.

If you are stung on a ladder

Hold on. Your first priority is to keep your balance. Take a moment to grip the ladder with both hands, then climb down steadily and calmly. Do not slap at wasps with a free hand.

At ground level, walk away from the area and into a building. Check yourself for stings, wash them, remove any visible sting and apply a cold pack.

Dial 999 straight away if there is dizziness, a widespread rash, wheezing or difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips or throat. Call 999 if they appear. If you have fallen, do not get up too quickly, and call for help. Stay still if you suspect a head, neck or back injury.

Remember that the ground below is part of the risk. Wasps that fall or get disturbed come down on whoever stands there, and a bystander looking up may be stung in the face. Keep others well back.

Roofs, chimneys and lofts

Roof nests are especially risky because the surface is steep and there is nowhere to step back. Chimneys can hold nests above the stack, and lofts can hold nests among insulation and rafters.

Do not go onto a roof or into a loft to look. In a loft, vibration from footsteps on boards can disturb a colony nearby. Leave the hatch closed and keep children away.

By August a colony can contain 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps, and a nest in a roof void can send wasps through ceilings or gaps into rooms below. If you see wasps indoors near the top of the house, assume there could be a nest above.

Avoid working alone near a nest at height. If something goes wrong, you want someone nearby who is not in the flight path and who can phone for help.

Getting it done from the ground

A technician can reach nests safely and treat them without you taking any risk. Booking a treatment means paying a fixed £90 for every nest, with one visit guaranteed. Should a second nest turn up, the second one is £35 more. The business is open seven days a week, offers same-day service and is fully insured, for domestic and commercial properties.

Bookings are made by calling 01245 327274 or using the online booking form found on the contact page. Describe where the entrance is and how high. The technician covers Alphamstone and nearby villages. It is worth asking when you book whether the empty nest can be taken down.

Finally, think about what happens afterwards. Once the nest has been treated, you can ask the technician whether the work area is safe to use, and discuss whether the empty nest can be taken down. Only then should the ladder go up for the original job, with the gap repaired so that wasps are less likely to move in next season.

Frequently asked questions

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