Wasp Control for Ashen Restaurants, Pubs and Commercial Premises

Mobile caterers park vans and trailers at a yard between events, and a nest there can put stock, equipment and staff at risk before the van even leaves.

Home base and event pitch

A catering van is a business on wheels, but it still has a base: a yard, a drive, a lock-up or a farm outbuilding where it is stored, cleaned and loaded. Wasps do not care that the vehicle is mobile. A nest in the hedge beside the parking spot or in the wall of the storage shed is as relevant as a nest at a shop.

The problem usually shows itself when the van is loaded for an event, with sugar, syrups, bread and fruit going in and out of the doors.

It is also worth thinking about your gas bottles, generators and fridges. They are stored in cages or cupboards where gaps and dark corners suit wasps, and handling them with bare hands in a hurry is the sort of moment a hidden nest turns into a sting.

Checking the base

Before each season, and again every few weeks, walk around where you park and store equipment. Look at:

• the walls and roof edge of the shed or outbuilding
• nearby hedges, trees and banks
• gaps beside gates and posts
• stacked crates, pallets and gas bottle cages
• bins and wash-down areas
• the vehicle itself, including wheel arches and canopy frames

A stream of wasps going to a single spot is the sign. Mark it and park elsewhere.

Some caterers keep their trailer under a lean-to or a tree. Tree cover is a good place for a nest, and the gap between the roof of a lean-to and a wall is another. If you notice wasps around the trailer when you hitch up, stop and look from a distance before you go any closer.

Keep a simple list in the cab or the kitchen: gas, water, bins, stock, nest check. If a nest check is on the list, it gets done.

It also pays to keep awnings and tarpaulins folded and stored off the ground, since a damp, dark fold is as good as any hole for a wasp.

Keeping wasps out of the van

A catering unit has a serving hatch, a prep area and a stock cupboard. Keep the hatch closed when not serving. Store sugar, syrup and fruit in sealed containers. Wipe the counter and floor after each session, and take rubbish away in a closed bag. Rinse cups, bottles and cans before they go in the bin.

If a wasp gets into the van, stop work near open food, cover it and open the hatch so the wasp can leave. Do not spray in the unit.

Check the van for a nest before an event if it has been parked near a suspect spot. Look at the awning, the frame and the underside of the vehicle from a distance.

Your customers do not see the preparation done at base. They see the hatch, the queue and the wasps. A quick wipe of the hatch sill, the sugar pots and the cup stack at the start of each session is the minimum.

At events and pitches

If wasps are a problem at an event, it may not be your nest at all. Wasps visit stalls from nests all around. Keep your own area clean, cover food, and tell the organiser if you see a nest on the site. Do not attempt to deal with it yourself.

A caterer at a pitch cannot book treatment for land that belongs to someone else, but the organiser or landowner can. Provide a clear description of where the wasps are going and ask them to arrange it.

If the event site has a known nest, it is the organiser’s responsibility to deal with it, but you can still protect your own stall by moving the pitch away from the affected area where possible.

A tip for pitch bookings: ask the organiser in advance whether wasps have been a problem in previous years. A well-run event will usually be glad to tell you.

Booking

This service works for householders and for businesses alike. The team is fully insured, open seven days a week and offers same-day service. For a nest, the fixed price is £90 and one visit is guaranteed. A further nest at the same property is £35 extra.

Speak to the office on 01245 327274 or complete the online booking form on the contact page. Say that you run a catering business, where the van is parked, and where the nest appears to be. If you or someone on your team is allergic to stings, tell the office so that the visit can be prioritised. The technician works across the village and surrounding villages.

If you also provide catering at domestic locations such as weddings and parties, the same advice applies to the garden or marquee where you will be working.

Stings, safety and next season

For a sting, clean the area, remove any visible sting and apply a cold pack. Seek help by calling 999 if you see dizziness, a widespread rash, swelling of the face, lips or throat or wheezing or difficulty breathing. Any person known to be allergic should talk to their GP.

Wasps start nests from late April depending on the weather, and by August colonies are large. A caterer in Ashen, like any other, can avoid trouble by walking round the base each spring, before the season of events begins.

Keep a short note of where you found any nest and what was done. A caterer who moves between locations through the season benefits from having the base information in one place.

Remember that wasps seen around your van at an event are not always from your nest. Look at the pattern: if they appear only at one site, the nest is probably there.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Ashen