How Much Does Wasp Nest Removal Cost in Epping?

Animals investigate what they should leave alone, and a nest in the garden can put them at risk, so planning ahead matters.

Why animals are at risk

Dogs sniff, cats pounce and rabbits graze at the base of hedges. None of them understand that the buzzing in a particular spot means danger. A pet that disturbs a nest can be stung many times in moments, and may panic and run, bringing wasps with it.

Small animals in outdoor runs and hutches are vulnerable too, as they cannot get away. Keep this in mind when you decide where to put them.

Some animals learn quickly. A dog stung once may refuse to go into the garden again. That is no help to anyone, which is a good reason to deal with the cause before it happens.

Rabbits, guinea pigs and other hutch animals are easily forgotten. Their hutches are often placed against a shed or fence, which may be exactly where wasps are nesting. Move them well away, if you can do so safely.

Tell visitors who bring their own dogs about the nest, so the pets do not wander over.

What the treatment costs

The price to treat a wasp nest is fixed at £90 per nest, with £35 for an additional nest on the same property. Nothing is added for the position of the nest or the time of day, and the technician is fully insured. The price graphic states that one visit is guaranteed.

Pet owners sometimes worry that the work will complicate their lives. In practice, it is a matter of keeping animals indoors and away from the area for the visit, and following the technician’s advice afterwards.

The technician deals with the nest only, and does not need to handle your animals. All they need from you is a clear path and a safe space for pets to stay.

Ask your vet in advance about what to do if a pet is stung, so you know the number to ring and what the practice advises. That is a decision for you and your vet.

Everyday precautions

Until the nest is dealt with, adjust your routine:

• Walk dogs on a lead in the garden, and keep them away from the corner with the nest.
• Bring cats in during the warm part of the day.
• Move hutches and runs to another part of the garden.
• Pick up fallen fruit and clear food bowls promptly.
• Keep outdoor water bowls away from the nest.

If your pet is used to a gate or flap, consider closing it to stop them wandering towards the wasps.

Dogs that dig are a particular concern, as a ground nest can be disturbed by a few minutes of digging. If you notice your dog suddenly avoiding a spot, or returning to the house in a hurry, take note.

After the visit, let your pets back into the area gradually, once the technician has said it is safe.

If a pet is stung

A sting on a pet is distressing for the animal and for you. Move the animal away from the nest calmly, and call your vet for advice. Do not give any medication unless a vet has told you to.

Watch for swelling around the face and mouth, difficulty breathing, vomiting or collapse, and contact a vet at once if you see these. Because stings inside the mouth can cause swelling, take them seriously.

Make sure that people in the house are protected too: wasps that follow a panicking pet may sting anyone nearby.

Birds and small animals in aviaries or cages should be moved to a quiet place indoors if possible. Cover cages lightly to keep them calm.

Birds in the garden may also act as a clue. Swallows and house martins sometimes use the same eaves as wasps, and a sudden change in bird behaviour near a wall can mean the nest is active.

Children and pets together

In a household with both children and animals, the risk is multiplied. Children may follow pets into the area, or try to rescue them. Explain simply that a wasp nest is in one part of the garden and nobody is to go there.

Marking the area with a cone or garden chair, placed at a safe distance, gives a visual reminder. Do not walk up to the nest to do it.

If you are in Epping or a nearby village and have shared access, such as a path used by neighbours’ pets, tell them about the nest too.

Cats may return to a spot out of curiosity even after a warning, so keep them in until the technician says the area is safe.

Plan where your pets will go on the day. A quiet room with the window closed, a bed or a cage, and a chew or toy to keep them busy is better than leaving them on their own in a garden.

Booking and the day itself

To arrange the visit, ring 01245 327274 or use the booking form on the contact page. Say where the nest is, how many animals use the garden and whether any are likely to be near on the day. If someone in your household is allergic to stings, mention it so the booking can be prioritised.

On the day, keep animals indoors in a quiet room, away from the area. After the work, ask the technician when it is safe to let them out again. Wasps start building from late April, so the best time to check your garden for new nests is in spring.

If you keep horses or livestock, speak to the business about their position relative to the nest when you book.

If a dog has a favourite spot in the garden, such as a patch of shade under a hedge, check from a distance that wasps are not using it before you let the dog out.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Epping