Can You Remove a Wasp Nest Yourself? Advice for Ashen Homeowners

A sting is painful but usually manageable. Knowing what to do straight away, what is normal afterwards and what is not helps you stay calm and avoid mistakes.

The first minute

If you are stung, the first priority is to get away from the wasps. Walk calmly to a door and go inside, closing it behind you. Stopping to examine the sting beside a nest invites more. Once you are in a safe spot, you can deal with the sting itself.

Check your clothes and hair for any wasps that came with you. Remove them gently, without crushing them against your skin, and take off any item of clothing that has one trapped. Then turn to the sting.

Small children often cry more from fright than pain, and calm reassurance helps. Keep them sitting down and cool, and watch the sting site for the next hour or so.

Try not to panic. It is natural to feel alarmed after a sting, particularly when it happens unexpectedly, but a calm response is quicker and safer. Sit down, breathe slowly and let someone else help you if they are nearby.

Wasps do not chase people indefinitely, and once you are indoors with the door closed the immediate danger has passed. Take your time with the steps that follow, and ask a family member to keep watch.

Treating a sting

Wash the area with soap and water to clean it. If you can see a sting left in the skin, remove it by scraping it sideways with a fingernail or a card, rather than squeezing it. Wasps do not usually leave their stings behind, but it can happen.

Hold a cold pack or a cloth soaked in cold water on the area to ease the pain and swelling. Raise the limb if it is an arm or leg. Avoid scratching, which can irritate the skin and lead to infection.

• Wash the area.
• Remove any visible sting by scraping.
• Apply a cold pack.
• Do not scratch.

We cannot give advice on medication. If you are unsure what to take, ask a pharmacist or your GP.

People who have been prescribed medicine for allergies should follow the advice they have been given by their doctor. We cannot suggest what to take or how much, and it is not a decision to take from a pest service.

What is normal afterwards

Some redness, swelling, itching and tenderness at the site is usual, and can last a few days. A raised patch larger than the sting is also common. Mild reactions tend to improve gradually without treatment.

Multiple stings can leave a person feeling shaky, tired or nauseous, and it is worth sitting down with a drink of water. If you are unsure whether symptoms are normal, speak to a pharmacist, your GP or the NHS advice service, rather than guessing.

In Ashen as anywhere, it is wise to keep an eye on someone who has been stung more than once for the next few hours.

It is useful to know that swelling can look dramatic around the eyes, hands and ankles, where the skin is loose. That alone is not necessarily a sign of an allergic reaction, but it should be watched, and a doctor’s advice is welcome if it worries you.

When to call 999

Some reactions are emergencies. Call 999 straight away if there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or feeling faint, or a widespread rash. Stings inside the mouth or throat are also serious. Do not wait to see if it settles, and do not drive yourself.

People who know they are allergic to wasp stings should speak to their GP about a plan. If you or someone in your household has an allergy, tell the booking team when you arrange a visit, so that the booking can be prioritised.

Write down the time of the sting and what happened, in case you need to describe it to a doctor or call for help.

Preventing the next sting

The best first aid is avoidance. Keep clear of the nest. Do not try to treat it. Wear closed shoes in the garden. Keep drinks covered and bins closed. Tell the household where the nest is, and keep children and pets away from it.

If you were stung while trying to deal with a nest, resist the urge to go back and finish the job. Leave it, and have it treated. The wasps will be more defensive than before.

Remember also to keep a cold pack in the freezer through the summer, as that is the item you will want in a hurry.

If you have to be in the garden near a nest, wear long sleeves and trousers, and closed shoes. This is not a way to deal with a nest, only a way to reduce the chance of an accidental sting while you wait.

Booking

Treatment is priced at a fixed £90 per nest, plus the one visit guaranteed stated on the price graphic. Should there be more than one nest at the property, each extra one is £35 and the rate does not vary with access. The business is fully insured across domestic and commercial work. The lines are open seven days a week, and same-day service is offered.

To book, ring 01245 327274 or fill in the online booking form on the contact page whichever you like. Also, tell the team at the outset if someone at the property is allergic to stings, so the booking can be prioritised. Importantly, ask the technician at booking or afterwards whether the empty nest can be taken down.

If you are worried that you have been stung several times, mention it to the booking team as well. It tells them how defensive the nest is likely to be, and it helps them prepare for the visit. Please do not go back to look at the nest yourself.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Ashen