Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Birchanger

Glass and warmth draw wasps in and then confuse them, so a conservatory or porch can fill with buzzing insects even when the nest is some way off.

A glass trap

Wasps are drawn to light and warmth, and a conservatory or porch has plenty of both. A wasp drifts in through an open door or a gap, then cannot find the way out. It crawls and buzzes against the glass, trying to reach the sky it can see but cannot pass.

This can be alarming for the person sitting inside. In a hot room, with several wasps at the windows, it may feel as if there are hundreds. In reality, most are simply trapped, and they pose little danger unless they are handled or trapped further.

The question to ask is whether the wasps are arriving by accident or from a nest. The answer decides what to do next.

Imagine a family relaxing in their conservatory on a warm Saturday. The door is left ajar for the breeze, and by afternoon there are a dozen wasps tapping at the glass. The family retreats, opens the garden door, and the wasps gradually leave. Next week the same thing happens, which is the clue that something outside is feeding them in.

Guiding wasps out safely

Stay calm and avoid swatting. A trapped wasp that is hit will often sting.

1. Open the door or window as wide as possible, preferably one that leads outside rather than into the house.
2. Move away from the wasps and wait. Many will drift out on their own.
3. For a single stubborn wasp, place a clear cup over it and slide a piece of card underneath, then release it outside.
4. Do not use your hands, and do not try to crush wasps against the glass.
5. Close the door again once the room is clear, to prevent more coming in.

Keep children and pets out of the room while this is going on.

Blinds and curtains that are left open can show wasps against the light. Closing blinds on the sunny side can make the room less attractive, and can encourage wasps to head for the opened door.

Looking for the source

Wasps that appear regularly in a conservatory suggest a nest close by. Check the outside of the structure from a safe distance. Look at the roof line, the gaps where the conservatory meets the house, the window frames, the fascia and the vents.

Nests can also be in the main house wall, the eaves above, a nearby shed or the garden hedge. The wasps may be entering through gaps and finding their way into the glazed room by chance.

• Watch the top of the frame for wasps going into a gap.
• Look for wasps flying to a point on the wall of the house.
• Note whether they come in at about the same time each day.

Roof vents and trickle vents in the frame are small entry points. A wasp can slip through a gap that looks too small to notice. Check seals around the frame and the door.

Why not to seal gaps yet

If you do find a gap where wasps are entering, you may feel like sealing it straight away. Resist. Sealing an occupied gap traps the colony and sends wasps looking for another way out, which can lead into the house or the conservatory.

Wait until the nest has been dealt with and the technician has said it is safe. Then repair the gap properly, so that new colonies cannot use it next year.

Do not drill, hammer or prod the frame, especially if you hear buzzing. Vibration through a window frame or roof can alarm a nest behind it.

Plants in conservatories, such as fruiting vines, flowering pots and fig trees, can draw wasps. Remove fallen fruit promptly, and keep sweet-smelling items away from open doors.

If someone is stung

Move away from the wasps and into another room. Wash the sting, remove any visible sting and apply a cold pack. Check that nobody else has been stung.

A widespread rash, feeling faint or dizzy, swelling of the face, lips or throat or wheezing or difficulty breathing are all reasons to call 999 at once. Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP about a plan, and should avoid the room until the situation is under control.

Wasps start building nests from late April, depending on the weather, and a colony peaks in August with 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps. A glass room in August is where the effects are most obvious.

Take care when cleaning windows or sweeping up dead wasps. A dead or dying wasp can still sting, so use a dustpan and brush and wear shoes.

Getting help

If you have traced a nest, or wasps keep coming back, arrange treatment. Wasp Nest Removal Essex charges a set £90 for every nest, with one visit guaranteed. A further nest on the same property costs £35 more. Visits are available seven days a week, with same-day visits offered, and the technicians are fully insured.

Getting a visit arranged is simple: ringing 01245 327274 or using the online booking form on the site’s contact page. Say where the wasps are appearing. The technician covers Birchanger and nearby villages. Whether the empty nest can come down afterwards is something to ask at booking.

When the nest has been dealt with, check the conservatory again over the following days, in case a few stragglers are still wandering in. Keep the door closed in the meantime, and open windows only on the far side from the old entrance. Once activity has stopped, repair gaps, check seals, and make a note to look at the same spots in spring.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Birchanger