Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Belchamp St Paul

Treatment is not quite the end of the story, because a few wasps may still be seen for a while, and knowing what is normal helps you stay calm and safe.

The day of the visit

When a technician comes to treat a nest, you can expect to be asked to keep people and pets away from the area while the work is done. Stay indoors if you are asked to, and keep windows near the nest closed. The technician will talk you through what to do.

Do not try to help by standing nearby, taking photographs or holding a ladder. The best help you can give is a clear description of where the nest is and where the wasps go in, before the visit.

If you have anyone in the home who is allergic, mention it at booking. The client's advice is that this lets the booking be prioritised. Let the technician know again on the day, so they can plan their approach.

It helps to understand what returning wasps are doing. A foraging wasp has no way of knowing that its nest has been dealt with, so it flies back to where the nest used to be, circles and lingers. These visitors are confused and short-lived, and they fade away over the days that follow.

Why you may still see wasps

After treatment you may notice a few wasps for a while. This is normal. Foraging wasps that were away from the nest when it was treated return to find it altered, and they may hover around the old entrance. Others may still be seen in the garden, looking for food.

This does not necessarily mean the treatment has not worked. Think of it as the tail end of a busy colony. Over the following days the numbers fall as the stragglers disperse.

If you see a significant amount of fresh activity, or the numbers are not reducing, tell the business. The price graphic promises one visit guaranteed, so describe what you are seeing and ask what it suggests.

Do not be tempted to rush the repair. If you have been told some wasps may return, wait until activity at the entrance has stopped before filling the gap. Sealing it with wasps still trying to get in can send them to another entrance.

Keeping safe in the following days

Stay cautious around the old entrance. A few disoriented wasps may be more likely to sting if you approach them.

• Keep children and pets away from the area for as long as the technician advises.
• Do not poke or touch the nest or the entrance.
• Keep windows near it closed in the first days if you can.
• Avoid mowing, trimming or drilling beside it.
• Check shoes and clothing before use if you have been near the area.

Treat any wasp that lands on you in the usual way: stay still and let it leave.

If the nest was in the loft or a wall cavity, you may find a few wasps coming into rooms for a day or two. Open a window to let them out and keep the door closed, rather than swatting.

The empty nest

Many householders want to know what happens to the old nest. If you would like it taken down, ask the technician when you book whether this is possible. Some nests are in places that are easy to reach, and others, such as those inside wall cavities or roof spaces, may be harder.

Do not try to pull the nest out yourself until you have been told it is safe to do so. Nests are paper-like and fragile, and can break apart, so wear gloves and take care when disposing of any pieces.

Old nests are not reused by wasps the next year. Even so, the same spot may attract a new colony, so keep an eye on it in spring.

Take photographs of the area before the visit if you can do so from a safe distance. Afterwards, compare them to see what has changed, and use them if you need to describe anything to the business.

Repairing the gap and preventing a repeat

Once the technician confirms the nest is dealt with, it is sensible to repair the gap or the hole that wasps used, so that it does not tempt a new colony. Fill gaps in brickwork, repair eaves boards, cover air bricks with a fine mesh and fix any damaged soffits.

Wasps start building from late April depending on the weather, so spring is a good time for a walk-round. Look in the same places as before, and in any sheltered cavity.

Remove attractions such as open food waste and fallen fruit. They do not cause a nest, but they bring foraging wasps close to your doors.

Remember that a new nest next season is possible, and that spring is when to look. The technician may point out which features of the property are attractive to wasps.

Booking and what it costs

The charge is a fixed £90 for every nest, and that covers one visit guaranteed. An additional nest on the same property costs £35 more. The business is open seven days a week, and same-day service is offered, and the work is fully insured.

To book, calling 01245 327274 or completing the booking form found on the contact page. The technician covers Belchamp St Paul and the surrounding villages. When you book, describe where the nest is and whether anyone is allergic, and ask whether the empty nest can be taken down.

If anything about the visit is unclear, ask the technician before they leave. Good questions include when it is safe to open windows near the nest, whether the wasps seen afterwards are expected, and what to do if you spot new activity in the same area later in the season. A clear answer on the day avoids worry later, and gives you something concrete to tell the rest of the household.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Belchamp St Paul