Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Great Maplestead

A tent pitched next to a hedge or bank can end up beside a hidden nest, so a short walk-round before unpacking is the best protection for a camping trip.

Choosing where to pitch

Camping puts you at ground level, right where ground nests, hedge nests and bank nests sit. A field edge, a hedgerow, a stand of trees or an old wall are all places wasps like, and they are also places campers like, for shelter and shade.

Before unpacking anything, walk the pitch slowly and look carefully. A tent peg hammered into a spot above a ground nest is a classic cause of a sudden attack. Heavy footsteps, a mallet and a dragged groundsheet all send vibration through the soil.

Take your time. Pick a spot that is open and flat, a few metres from any hedge, bank or fallen log, and with no wasp traffic nearby. If you are on a managed site, mention anything you notice to the person in charge of the pitches.

Wasps start building from late April, and by August a nest can hold 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps, so late summer camping carries the highest risk.

A typical scenario is a family arriving late on a Friday, putting up the tent quickly in the nearest corner next to a hedge, and then discovering on Saturday morning that wasps are streaming out of the bank six feet from the door. Ten minutes spent looking on Friday evening would have been well worth it, even in the fading light.

What to look for before you hammer in a peg

Spend a few minutes scanning the area.

• Small holes in the ground with wasps passing in and out.
• Wasps flying low in a line to a bank, a log or the foot of a hedge.
• Grey papery material in hedge branches or under a caravan.
• A buzzing sound near the ground or in foliage.
• Several wasps hovering at one point on a fence or post.

If you find any of these, choose a different spot. Do not pitch within a few metres of a hole, and never peg out guy ropes near one.

Caravanners and motorhome owners should look at awnings, wheel arches, hitch covers and storage lockers too, since wasps will nest in any dry hollow. A van that has stood unused for weeks is a good candidate.

Food, drink and the camp kitchen

Camp meals bring sugary food and open drinks outdoors, which suits wasps perfectly. Keep food in sealed boxes, and clear plates and cups straight away. Wash up promptly, because a stack of sticky dishes draws wasps in numbers.

Use cups with lids or straws, and look into every can or bottle before drinking. A sting in the mouth is serious. Store bins with lids well away from the sleeping area, and take rubbish to the bins on site each evening rather than leaving it by the tent.

Keep the cooking area a good distance from the tent. If wasps become a nuisance, move the meal to the other side of the pitch and cover everything while it is prepared.

Be aware of what is happening on neighbouring pitches. If you see a group dealing with wasps, or children running from a hedge, take it as a warning and check your own spot.

Sleeping and the tent

Keep the tent door and any windows zipped shut, even briefly. A wasp inside a tent is trapped and stressed, and it is difficult to remove without getting stung.

Shake out sleeping bags, shoes and clothing before use. Keep sweet food out of the tent, including sticky wrappers and children's sweets. In a caravan or motorhome, check the awning, the roof vents and any gaps near the door for wasps.

If you hear a hum from the tent or the ground beneath it, move out and look from a distance. Do not poke at the groundsheet. Wasps that nest beneath a groundsheet can be provoked by the pressure of a person lying on top.

Walking to and from the washing block in the dark is when feet find holes. Use a torch, wear shoes and keep to the paths, since a ground nest near the track can be stepped on at night.

Stings away from home

Camp first aid is simple. Move away from the wasps, wash the sting if water is available, remove any visible sting and apply a cold pack or anything cold, such as a cold bottle wrapped in a cloth. Keep a close eye on the person for some time after that.

If you see feeling faint or dizzy, a widespread rash, wheezing or difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips or throat, call 999 without waiting. Check where you have phone signal before you need it, and know the name of the site or road, so you can give your location. Anyone with a known allergy should bring their prescribed medication and tell the group where it is. These notes covers general first aid only and cannot replace medical care.

At the end of the trip, shake out and air everything before packing, so that you do not take a wasp home in the fold of a groundsheet.

If the nest is at your own property

Campers can move their tent, but householders with a nest at home cannot. What you pay is a fixed £90 for every nest, backed by one visit guaranteed. For a second nest on the same property, the extra nest costs £35 more. Visits are available seven days a week, with same-day appointments available, and all work is fully insured.

Getting a visit arranged is simple: phoning 01245 327274 or filling in the booking form found on the contact page. The technician covers Great Maplestead and nearby villages. Ask whether the empty nest can be taken down afterwards, and mention any allergy.

Before you leave a pitch for a day out, close the tent fully and put away any food. Wasps move quickly into an empty tent in search of sweet scraps, and returning to find a dozen inside is not a pleasant end to a day. A tidy pitch, a sealed box and a zipped door cost nothing and make the difference between a calm evening and a frantic one.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Great Maplestead