Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for Dovercourt Gardens

Finding a nest in the cold months is the best-case scenario, and a short, ordered routine makes the most of it.

Step one: don’t panic, don’t poke

Finding a wasp nest is startling, whatever the season. The reaction is usually to step back quickly, which is the right instinct. In winter it is also a safe one, because the colony that built the nest has died, and the structure is no more dangerous than a wasps’ nest drawn on a page.

The point to hold on to is that wasps do not come back to an old nest. Each spring a fresh queen builds a new one. The shell you are looking at will not be repaired, refilled or reused. That alone should lower the temperature.

Still, resist the urge to knock it down at once. Take a few moments to work through the steps below, which are as relevant in Dovercourt as anywhere else.

A calm look, a few photographs and a bag are all the tools you need.

It also helps to set a time limit. Spend ten minutes on the checks, then step away. There is no benefit in lingering beside a nest, empty or not.

Step two: be sure it is empty

Look at the date first. A nest found after the first hard frosts is almost certainly dead. A nest found in September or early October may still be occupied, because colonies decline gradually and stragglers can linger on warm days.

• Watch the entrance for a few minutes on a mild afternoon.
• Listen for humming or rustling.
• Note whether the paper is dry, grey and brittle or fresh and smooth.
• Check whether it has been the same for several weeks.

If any of these suggest activity, back away and treat it as live. If everything is still, you can move on to the next step.

Cold, wet or snowy weather makes a live colony unlikely. In a mild autumn, however, wasps can be active into November, so be a little more careful with late finds.

If you have a thermal-looking cardboard nest in a sheltered porch, that is the sort that sometimes stays active longest, because the warmth holds.

A torch beam on the entrance, from a distance, shows movement clearly.

Step three: photograph and note

Before you touch anything, take photographs of the nest and its position. Include the surrounding area, such as the wall, rafter or branch, and a close-up of the nest itself. Note the date and place on your phone. It sounds fussy, but it gives you a record, and it helps if you need to describe things to a landlord, a builder or a technician.

Look at what is around it. Is there a gap leading in? Is there staining or flecks of wood fibre? Is the structure damp? These details tell you why a queen chose the spot.

If you plan to have builders in, give them the photographs, because they can then look at the same spot during their work. A short note with the pictures attached is better than a spoken one, as it gives everybody the same information.

For commercial premises, forward the images to the person who manages maintenance.

Step four: decide whether to remove it

If the nest is low, easy to reach and clearly dead, put on gloves, lift it into a bag and bin it. If it sits high up, deep in a roof, inside a wall or in a spot where you would have to stretch or climb, leave it. An empty nest does no harm, and the risk of a fall is worse than any wasp.

At the booking stage you can check whether the abandoned nest can come down as well. It is not something we can promise in advance, as it depends on position.

Never burn, flood or spray an old nest. It is not needed.

When you bag a nest, keep the opening of the bag towards you, hold the nest by its base and lower it in gently. The paper layers break easily, and you may find old larvae cases inside, which are harmless. Tie the bag and put it in the household rubbish.

Wash your hands afterwards, and brush down your clothes outdoors.

Step five: close the gap

The nest tells you where a queen was happy. The best use of a winter find is to fix whatever let her in. Fill the gap, repair the board, fit the mesh or move the stored items. Do this in the cold, once you are sure nothing is inside.

If you rent the property, report the defect to the landlord or agent in writing, with your photographs, and check your agreement to see who is responsible.

Write a reminder in your diary to look at the spot again from late April.

Mortar, filler, mesh and replacement boards are all inexpensive. A day spent on this in January is likely to be more valuable than a day spent worrying in July.

Walk the whole building, not just the part where the nest was, as the queen could equally have chosen a similar gap elsewhere.

Step six: know who to call

If a live nest appears at any point, do not tackle it yourself. Bookings are taken by phone on 01245 327274 and through the form on the contact page. For £90 per nest you get one visit guaranteed, and an extra nest on the same property is £35 per nest.

We are open seven days a week, offer same-day service for domestic and commercial customers and are fully insured. Tell us about any allergies when you book so the visit can be prioritised.

Please mention which part of the building the nest is in.

That helps us plan.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Dovercourt