Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Berden

Fruit that has fallen and started to ferment is one of the strongest wasp attractions there is, and a few habits keep an orchard or fruit tree manageable.

Why fruit draws wasps in

Ripe and fallen fruit offers wasps exactly what they are looking for in late summer: sugar. A split plum on the grass, a bruised apple under a tree or a pear with its skin broken is a feast, and wasps will gather in numbers around it.

As the fruit ferments, it gets more attractive still. Wasps can become sluggish and persistent around fermenting fruit, and may fly less predictably, which raises the chance of one landing on a person or being trodden on.

A single fruit tree can produce enough windfalls to keep wasps in the garden for weeks. Many people find that the area under the tree becomes a no-go zone in late summer unless they take care.

Think of a household with two apple trees and a young family. In late August, windfalls pile up on the lawn, the children run barefoot across the grass and the family eats outside. The result is several stings in a week. Daily clearing, shoes outside and a lidded bucket would have kept the garden usable.

Clearing windfalls

The best defence is regular clearing. Collect fallen fruit every day, or at least every other day, in August and September. Wear shoes, look before you reach and use a bucket with a lid or a bag you can close.

• Go in the cooler part of the day if possible.
• Pick up fruit with a gloved hand or a tool, not bare fingers.
• Take clearings straight to a covered bin or compost bin with a tight lid.
• Do not leave bags of windfalls beside doors or seating.
• Check the bucket before carrying it, since wasps will land on the fruit as you collect it.

If there is a lot of fruit, do it in short sessions, rather than one long stint that disturbs the wasps for longer.

Hanging fruit in nets or bags can protect ripening crops from birds, but can trap wasps against the fruit and make picking awkward. Check netting before you reach in, and shake it gently from a distance first.

Picking from the tree

Picking ripe fruit before it falls reduces the supply to wasps. Choose a cooler time of day and look closely at each fruit before touching it. A wasp inside a plum or a split pear is easily missed.

Do not shake branches, since that can drop wasps on you or provoke ones that are feeding on nearby fruit. Use a picker or a ladder with care, and avoid reaching into dense leaves.

Ladders deserve special caution in a tree. A sting while you are up a ladder can cause a fall, so keep a clear way down and put someone at the bottom, away from the fruit. If wasps gather around you, climb down slowly and walk away.

Cider, juice and jam making bring wasps into kitchens in large numbers. Keep windows closed or screened, keep fermenting fruit covered and wash equipment straight away, so that sticky residue does not draw foragers indoors.

Nests among the trees

Orchards and fruit trees are attractive nesting sites too. Hollows in old trunks, gaps beneath roots and long grass at the base can hold nests. Walk around the trees and look for wasps going in and out at a point.

When the colony peaks in August, one nest may house 2,000 to 10,000 or more. Mowing under trees, strimming around the trunks and moving garden furniture can all send vibrations to a nest. Check before you start.

If you find traffic, leave the area alone, keep children and pets away and watch from a distance. The wasps at the fruit are one problem, but a nest nearby is a more serious one.

If you sell or give away surplus fruit from a stall or a gate, be mindful of customers who may reach into a box of fruit. A cloth over the box and a quick look before handing it over keep people safe.

Stings and first aid

For a sting, move away from the fruit, wash the area, remove any visible sting and apply a cold pack. A sting in the mouth, from biting into fruit that hides a wasp, is urgent.

Feeling faint or dizzy, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips or throat or a widespread rash are all reasons to call 999 at once. People with a known allergy should speak to their GP and keep prescribed medication close.

Check children's fruit before they eat it, especially at the end of a day outdoors. Cut apples and pears into pieces on a plate so you can see inside. These notes does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist.

Fallen fruit under a hedge or a bank is easy to forget, but wasps do not forget it. Walk the full edge of the garden when clearing.

If a nest is the problem

If wasps are coming from a nest near your trees, treatment makes the garden usable again. The price for each nest is a flat £90 for every nest, and one visit is guaranteed. When two nests are found on one property, the second one is £35 more. The business is open seven days a week, and can offer same-day service, and all work is fully insured.

Getting a visit arranged is simple: ringing 01245 327274 or filling in the booking form found on the contact page. The technician covers Berden and nearby villages. Describe where the traffic goes, mention any allergy and ask whether the empty nest can be taken down.

Finally, think about what to do with the surplus. Apples and pears keep well in a cool store, but wasps will find them if the door is left ajar. Keep the store closed and check boxes on the way in, and the fruit will last for months while the wasps move on.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Berden