Can You Remove a Wasp Nest Yourself? Advice for Great Notley Homeowners

The spaces we enjoy most in summer, a deck, a patio, a balcony, are exactly the sort of sheltered spots a queen may choose, and the nest is often directly underneath where you sit.

Nests under your feet

Raised decking, a balcony, steps up to a conservatory and the space beneath a patio table set all create shelter. Wasps will use the gap under decking boards, the cavity behind a balcony panel or even a folded parasol. Because these spots are low and tucked away, the nest can be a short step from where the family sits.

You may hear it before you see it. A low hum under the boards, wasps disappearing between two planks or a steady line to a narrow gap beside a step are clear hints. Sitting above a nest on a sunny afternoon is a recipe for trouble.

Hot, sunny weather makes these places even more attractive. Boards warm up, the gap beneath them stays shaded, and a queen looking for a nest site finds exactly the conditions she wants. A patio that was fine last year may have a nest this year.

Why lifting the boards is a bad idea

The obvious thought is to lift a board and look. This opens the nest from above, with your face and hands at the opening. If the colony is active, wasps will pour out instantly, and you will be kneeling, a poor position from which to retreat.

Poking with a stick or spraying through a gap has the same problems. You cannot see what you are doing, you cannot judge the size, and you give the colony the chance to surprise you. In Great Notley or anywhere else, treat the area around a suspected nest as off limits.

• Do not lift boards or panels to look.
• Do not pour anything into the gap.
• Do not stamp or bounce on the deck to see what happens.

Remember too that decking boards are often fixed over a frame with a sizeable gap beneath. A nest there may extend a long way from the point where you see wasps entering. Do not assume you know its extent from the entrance.

Balconies and shared outdoor space

Balcony nests carry an extra difficulty: the space is small and the only exit may be through the flat. Wasps trapped between you and the door make for a nasty situation. If you see wasps going behind a balcony panel or under the floor, step back inside and close the door.

Where the balcony is part of a shared building, others may be affected. Tell neighbours and whoever manages the property, and keep children away from the area. Responsibility for the building depends on your lease or agreement, which you should check.

Doors to balconies should be kept shut, and any washing or furniture taken inside if wasps are close. A nest behind a panel is difficult to see and impossible to reach safely, so leave it entirely to the technician.

Furniture, parasols and cushions

Wasps sometimes nest in or near outdoor furniture left in the same place for months. Folded parasols, stacked chairs, storage boxes and cushion chests are all used. Dragging a chair out of a corner to sit down may be the moment a nest is discovered.

Before the first sit of the year, look from a distance for wasp traffic in the area. If you see some, leave the furniture exactly where it is. Move it only after the nest has been dealt with, and then do so carefully.

Remember that sweet drinks and food on a table will bring wasps even where there is no nest, so keep things covered.

Another little problem is the barbecue. The smell of cooking draws wasps, and a grill beside a nest is asking for trouble. Move the barbecue as far away as you can, or wait until the nest is treated.

Keeping safe until treatment

Close off the area. If the deck is the route to the garden, use another door for a few days. Move children’s toys and pets’ beds away from it. Warn visitors, delivery drivers and anyone helping with the garden.

If someone is stung, wash the site, remove the sting if visible and use a cold pack. Swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash calls for 999. Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP and mention it when booking so it can be prioritised.

Visitors who do not know the garden deserve a particular warning. A friend stepping out onto the deck with a drink, unaware of what lies beneath, is how many stings happen. A sign or a word at the door removes the surprise.

Also think about the dog. Dogs love to sniff at gaps beneath decking, and a nose in the wrong place is an easy way to be stung.

Booking

The business prices each treatment at a fixed £90 per nest and the price graphic carries a one visit guaranteed promise. Any additional nest on the same property costs £35 on top whatever the time of day. The service is fully insured whether the property is a house or a business. Someone is available to book you in seven days a week with same-day service on offer.

Booking is by telephone on 01245 327274 or through the online form on the contact page whenever you are ready. Worth noting: if anyone in the household is allergic to wasp stings, say so when you book so the booking can be prioritised. In practice, afterwards you can ask the technician whether the empty nest can be taken down.

Tell the booking team whether the nest is under a deck, behind a balcony panel or somewhere else, and whether anyone has tried to look into the gap. Mention any furniture or planters that sit near the entrance. A short description saves time when the technician arrives.

Afterwards, ask whether any gaps ought to be tidied or sealed by a builder once it is safe, as that is not something to attempt while wasps are still active.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Great Notley