Wasps Around Your Guttering and Fascias? How to Find the Nest in Black Notley

Pets sniff, chase and snap at wasps in a way people do not, so a nest at the gutter puts animals at more risk than anyone else in the household.

Why pets get stung

A dog that snaps at a wasp, a cat that bats at one on a windowsill and a rabbit in a hutch beneath the eaves all share the same problem: they cannot understand the danger. Dogs in particular tend to investigate a buzzing noise, nose along a wall where wasps are landing and try to catch them in the air.

Stings on the nose, mouth, paws and tongue are most common, and a sting in the mouth or throat can cause swelling that affects breathing. Animals that spend time in the garden near the nest are at the greatest risk, so the best protection is to change where they go.

Late summer is the worst time. When the colony is at its largest and the workers are most irritable, even a curious sniff can end in several stings.

Another thought is that wasps indoors are a sign that the nest is already large enough to produce spare workers wandering into the house. By that stage waiting has already cost you something.

Rearranging the garden for now

Until the nest has been treated, keep pets away from the affected wall altogether. If a dog is used to running along the side passage, close the gate or put the dog on a lead for the garden. Move hutches, cages, bird tables and outdoor beds away from the wall, and keep outdoor water bowls and food dishes elsewhere, since wasps are drawn to them.

For cats that come and go, you cannot control everything, but you can keep them in during the afternoon when wasp traffic is at its peak. Close the cat flap if it is on the affected side.

• Keep dogs on a lead near the wall.
• Move hutches and cages away from the roofline.
• Bring bowls inside after use.
• Shut cat flaps on the nest side.
• Check the garden before letting pets out.

If you cannot keep the dog away from the wall, use the front garden, a different room or a walk for exercise until the nest has been treated. A few days of change is easier than a trip to the vet.

Think of the household too. A garden you cannot use for weeks is a cost, even if it does not appear on a bill.

Recognising a sting

Signs that a pet has been stung include sudden yelping, pawing at the face or mouth, rubbing the head along the floor, drooling, a swollen muzzle or paw, limping or hiding. Stay calm and move the animal indoors, away from the wasps.

Do not try to treat swelling in the mouth or throat yourself. If the pet is struggling to breathe, collapsing, vomiting or has a swollen face, contact a vet at once. If you are in any doubt, phone your vet for advice. We cannot advise on treatment for animals.

Wasps can also get into pet food bowls and drink dishes. A dog that laps up water with a wasp in it risks a sting inside the mouth, so tip out water that has been standing outside.

If you are not sure, take a short video of the activity and look at it again later. It is easier to see the pattern when you replay it.

Keeping other animals in mind

Not every pet is a dog or a cat. Birds in aviaries, rabbits and guinea pigs in outdoor runs, and chickens in the garden are all within reach of foraging wasps. Move cages away from the wall if you can, and cover food dishes. Horses and livestock sometimes shelter under outbuilding eaves, and a nest above a stable door or barn wall can be a problem for them too.

If the nest is on an outbuilding, tell us when you book so the technician knows what animals are on site.

Fish ponds and bird baths close to the wall are watering places for wasps too. Move them if you can, or simply be aware that wasps will visit.

Do not feel foolish for ringing late. We deal with nests throughout the season, and the technician will be glad to help whenever you call.

The visit

A technician serving Black Notley will want the pets out of the way for the visit. Shut dogs and cats indoors, preferably in a room away from the nest side of the house, and keep windows closed. If animals are housed outside, say where. The technician will treat the nest at its source, and will tell you when it is safe to let animals out again.

Expect some wasps to hang around the old entrance for a day or two. Keep animals away until the activity has gone quiet.

If you foster animals or look after other people’s pets, tell the owners about the wasps, and keep the animals away from the area.

Because the price is fixed, there is no financial advantage in waiting for the nest to grow or shrink. Acting early simply gives you a calmer summer.

Cost and booking

The fee is a fixed £90 per nest with one visit guaranteed. A second nest on the same property is an extra £35 more. We are open seven days a week, offer same-day service, treat nests at homes and commercial premises, and are fully insured. If you would like the nest treated, ring 01245 327274 or use the online booking form on the contact page and give the address and the side of the building the wasps are using.

Afterwards, have the entrance repaired so wasps cannot return, and check the garden for fallen fruit and food scraps, which draw wasps in late summer. If a person is stung, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and use a cold pack, with 999 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash.

Pets need a little time to relearn the garden after treatment. Let them out one at a time, and watch for any lingering wasps near the old gap.

If you are away on holiday, consider having the nest treated before you go. Coming back to a larger colony is an unpleasant surprise.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Black Notley