Wasp Control for Colne Engaine Restaurants, Pubs and Commercial Premises

Children are curious about insects and cannot be relied on to keep away, so a setting with a wasp nest needs firm boundaries and clear communication with parents.

Why a children’s setting is different

Adults can be told to stay away from a nest. Young children are less predictable: they chase, they poke, they pick things up. A wasp nest on the edge of a playground, in a hedge by the fence or under the roof of a play shelter is therefore treated with extra caution.

Staff in a school, nursery or similar setting also have responsibilities to parents. The sensible response is to remove the nest quickly, keep children away from it in the meantime and tell families what has happened.

Remember also that a setting may be used outside normal hours by after-school clubs, holiday schemes and community groups. Whoever runs those sessions should be told about any nest in the grounds.

Where nests turn up around a play area

Look at the outdoor area before children arrive, or when they are indoors. Check:

• the roof edges of the building, shelters and sheds
• climbing equipment and the gaps beneath play structures
• hedges and bushes along the fence
• trees and old stumps
• holes in banks, flower beds and grass
• bins and compost bins used by a gardening club

A steady stream of wasps to one spot is the sign. Mark it from a safe distance and keep everyone away. Do not allow children to look.

Gardening and nature areas are particularly worth checking. A mud kitchen, a log pile, a bug hotel or a compost bin all create hiding places, and children who are taught to explore them need to know that wasp nests are not to be touched. Close these areas until you are sure they are clear.

Lunchtimes and snacks

Lunch and snack times are the highest-risk moments. Sweet drinks, fruit, yoghurts and packed lunch leftovers attract wasps. If children eat outside, keep their food covered until they sit, supervise tidying up and provide a lidded bin close to the tables. Wipe tables and benches before and after.

If wasps are around the dining area, move eating indoors for a while. Staff on duty should know where the nest is and stand between children and the area.

Do not encourage children to swat. A calm instruction to stay still or walk away works better.

Water bottles are a good idea in place of open cups of juice, and a quick hand-wash after eating removes sticky residue. Teach children that wasps usually leave you alone if you stay still and move away slowly.

Talking to staff and parents

Staff need a short briefing: the position of the nest, the area that is out of bounds, who has been called and what to do if a child is stung. Parents should hear about it from the setting, briefly and calmly. A note explaining that a wasp nest has been found, that it is being treated and that children are being kept away from the area is enough.

If a parent has told you their child is allergic, make sure the relevant staff know, and tell the office when you book so that the visit can be prioritised.

When you speak to the children, keep it simple and calm: there is a wasp nest, a grown-up is coming to deal with it, and the area is closed until then. Avoid frightening descriptions. Children who are anxious about insects may need extra reassurance.

For after-hours bookings, such as a club that uses the hall after school, make sure the person in charge has the same information as the daytime staff. A note on the register or the door is easy to overlook, so speak to them directly.

Booking

This service treats wasp nests at homes and at commercial premises. With same-day service offered and seven-day opening, the company is also fully insured. One nest comes to a fixed £90 and one visit is guaranteed, and an additional nest found on the same property is £35 extra.

The number for bookings is 01245 327274 or complete the online booking form on the contact page. Say that the nest is at a setting with children, explain where it is and when the grounds are empty. The technician serves the village and surrounding villages. Check at booking whether the empty nest can be taken down once the work is done.

Keep the plan for the visit practical. The grounds should be empty of children, and any gate or key needed should be ready. If the setting runs a pick-up system, tell families whether the entrance they normally use is affected.

If you cannot clear the grounds entirely, tell the office what the layout is and which parts are in use, so that the technician can plan accordingly. Safety around children is the priority, and a clear conversation on the phone helps.

The empty nest, once treated, can be a source of curiosity for children. Ask at booking whether it can be taken down, so that it does not become a talking point on the playground.

Stings and first aid

If a child is stung, comfort them, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and apply a cold pack. Watch them closely. If there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash, call 999 and contact the parents. Families of children with known allergies should speak to their GP.

Keep the incident record according to your own procedures. Wasps begin nests in late April depending on the weather, and a check of the grounds each spring avoids a stressful summer term.

Review the outdoor area at the start of each term, not just in summer. A thorough look in April or May, when wasps are beginning to build, is the most useful of all.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Colne Engaine