How to Tell If You Have an Active Wasp Nest on Your High Laver Property

When a nest sits above somewhere you walk every day, the first sign is often wasps dropping around the door, and the risk is simply going in and out.

The doorstep problem

A nest above a door or window is the one many householders dread. You cannot avoid the area; you have to walk beneath it, carry in shopping, take the dog out and collect the post. The wasps are above you and you are in their flight path.

The signs tend to appear gradually. At first there are a few wasps near the door. Later there may be a regular stream overhead, a buzzing as you unlock the door, and wasps landing on the step or following you indoors.

Consider the length of time spent at the door too. Opening and closing, loading and unloading, finding keys and chatting to visitors all mean that you spend longer beneath a nest than you realise. The more time you spend there, the more likely you are to be stung, so reduce it as much as possible until the nest has been dealt with.

Spotting the signs

From the path, at some distance, look at the lintel, the porch roof, the top of the door frame, the window head and the bargeboards. Watch for wasps that land, crawl and vanish.

• A line of wasps rising from the door area.
• Grey flakes or specks on the step or mat.
• Wasps following you in when you open the door.
• A hum above the doorway as you stand still.

A nest above a door or window may also have an entrance on another side of the building. Check around the corner.

A nest above a window can be just as awkward. When the window is open, wasps may enter, and the vibration of opening and closing a sash or casement can disturb a nest in the frame or the sill. Keep the window shut if you suspect a nest, and avoid cleaning the glass on that side until the nest has been treated. A window cleaner should be told too.

Hanging baskets, wall lights and house signs mounted by the door are further places to check. A nest in a hanging basket can be right at head height, and the first sign may be a wasp flying out as you brush past.

Using the house safely

Use a different door if possible. Many houses have a back door or side door. Walk calmly, without hurrying or waving your arms. Do not stop beneath the nest, to chat or to search for keys. Have keys ready before approaching.

Let family members and callers know. Post, parcels and visitors need to be warned. A note on the front door, or a message to expected visitors, helps. Keep the front door closed, and open it only briefly.

Think about deliveries and callers. Couriers and postal workers walk right up to the door, and they are less likely to know about the problem. A note on the gate or door that says there are wasps, with an arrow to a safe place to leave parcels, is a good idea. If you are expecting a visitor who is elderly or vulnerable, tell them to avoid the affected door or meet them at another one.

Children coming home from school may run in and out of the door without thinking. Remind them which door to use, and how to walk calmly.

Wasps inside the hallway

If wasps follow you in, move away from the door, shut it and go to another room. Do not swat. Open a window in a different room to let a stray wasp leave. Keep the hallway door shut if you can.

If wasps are appearing inside through other gaps, such as through the door frame or letterbox, put a towel along the bottom of the door and keep the area clear. Do not spray around the doorway.

What not to do

Do not knock the porch roof, slam the door or use a broom to flick at the gap. Do not use a hose on the area. Do not put up a ladder to look. Do not seal the door frame or window gap. All of these provoke wasps or push them elsewhere.

Equally, do not wait for the nest to go away. A colony above the door will grow through the summer. The earlier you book, the smaller the nest and the shorter the time you spend using the back door.

If you are tempted to deal with the nest yourself, remember that the nest is above your head, which gives you no easy way to retreat. A fall from a stepladder while being stung is more dangerous than the wasps alone. Leave it to a fully insured technician who works at height as part of the job.

If you have been stung already, move away from the door, wash the sting and apply a cold pack, and call 999 for signs of a serious reaction. Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP, and say so when booking so that the booking can be prioritised.

Think about children’s routines and pets as well: a dog that is let out of the front door each morning may run straight under the nest. Use a different door for the dog, or put it on a lead before opening the door.

Booking

Wasp Nest Removal Essex treats nests above doors and windows for a fixed £90 only, and an additional nest on the same property costs £35 only. The job is fully insured, and you get one visit guaranteed. Our technician covers High Laver and nearby villages, offering same-day service seven days a week for homes and businesses.

Phone 01245 327274 or use the contact page to book online. Tell us which door or window it is and which entrance you can use in the meantime.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for High Laver