When Is Wasp Season in Messing?

August is when a nest reaches full size, and understanding why that month feels so different helps you stay safe and decide when to call for help.

The month everyone remembers

Ask people about wasps and most will describe August: wasps in the kitchen, round the bins and over the picnic. There is a reason for that. The colony has been growing since late April and August is when it peaks, with a single nest capable of holding from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps.

For anyone living in Messing, or anywhere else, the same applies. The problem has a long build-up and a sharp finish.

Here is what is going on inside the colony at that point, how it affects behaviour, and what sensible householders do about it.

Why the numbers climb so steeply

A nest begins as a small paper structure. Each stage of growth adds workers, and workers add more nest, so the increase is not steady but accelerating. A nest that seemed harmless in June can be obviously busy by late July, and in August it may be a major hazard.

This also explains why a nest you discover in the second half of summer is likely to be large. The earlier it is found, the less there is to deal with.

There is a useful comparison with a snowball. In May the nest is something you could hold in your hand. By August it can be a structure many times that size, with layers of comb inside and a protected entrance. The wasps are no more dangerous individually, but the sheer number changes the risk.

What changes in behaviour

Alongside the numbers, behaviour shifts. Wasps become more interested in sweet things as summer goes on, so you notice them at drinks, fruit and puddings. At the same time, a large colony defends its nest more vigorously, so any vibration or movement near it can provoke a response.

• Avoid mowing or strimming close to a suspected nest.
• Do not slam doors or windows next to a flight path.
• Keep dogs and children away from hedges and banks you have not checked.
• Never throw things at a nest or hose it down.

Also think about what you cannot see. A nest in a wall cavity, loft or roof void may show only a small hole outside. Indoors, you might notice wasps appearing at a window, a ceiling light or a bedroom wall. If wasps are finding their way into rooms, this could mean the nest is very close to an inner gap.

Do not seal the hole or squirt anything into it; that tends to push them into the living space.

If you are stung

Most stings are painful but not dangerous. Wash the area, remove the sting if you can see it, and apply a cold pack to ease the swelling. Stay calm and move away from where it happened, since other wasps may be alerted.

Call 999 if there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash, as these can be signs of a serious allergic reaction. Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP about it, and should tell us at the time of booking so that the visit can be prioritised.

If you get stung more than once, or many stings at the same time, get medical help even if you feel well; being stung several times is more serious than a single sting. Keep children and older relatives indoors while the area is unsafe.

Making August safer at home

A few small habits make August much more comfortable even before a nest is dealt with. Keep the kitchen door shut or screened, because wasps follow food smells indoors. Take out the rubbish daily and keep bins shaded and tightly closed. Rinse out cans and bottles instead of leaving them on the step, and wipe the table after eating.

Check shoes before putting them on, particularly if they have been left outside, and look at cups and bottles before you drink. Many stings in late summer come from a wasp hidden in a drink can.

Think about pets as well. A dog that sniffs at a ground nest is likely to be stung on the nose, so keep dogs on a lead in unfamiliar areas of the garden. If a pet is stung several times or swells badly, contact a vet.

Finally, remember that the peak does not last. A little patience, a few precautions and the right treatment get you through to the cooler weeks, when numbers fall.

If you are ever unsure whether what you are seeing is a nest, a stray wasp or something else, describe it to us and we will tell you whether it sounds like a job for treatment.

August is also holiday season. People coming back from a week away sometimes find a nest has grown enormously. If that is you, resist the urge to inspect it up close. Stay back, look from a distance, and book a visit.

Think about the weeks around the peak as the time to be most careful, and remember that treatment is the same fixed price as in spring.

Booking help at the peak

If you have found a nest in August, do not wait to see whether it goes away. It will not shrink quickly, and the longer you leave it the more risk to everyone around it.

When the technician has finished, ask whether the empty nest can be taken down.

A visit from Wasp Nest Removal Essex is priced at £90 per nest and includes one visit guaranteed, with each extra nest on the same property at £35 apiece. The service is open to homeowners and to commercial sites, with full insurance in place, seven-day opening and same-day service offered.

The number to use is 01245 327274 or go to the contact page and use the online booking form. Before the visit is fixed, ask whether the empty nest can be taken down later. Where a family member or colleague is allergic to wasp stings, mention it at booking, which lets the booking be prioritised.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Messing