When Is Wasp Season in North Benfleet?

Wasps that nest in holes in the ground cause trouble for anyone mowing or digging, so the timing of the season matters for lawn care.

The nest under your feet

Holes in the ground are among the places wasps nest. They are less obvious than a nest under the eaves, because there is nothing to see except a small entrance and a trail of insects. For householders in North Benfleet with lawns, banks or rough ground, the risk is that you find the nest by walking or mowing over it.

Ground nests are particularly relevant to gardeners, allotment holders, owners of larger plots and anyone who spends time on grass, because the usual warning signs on a building are missing. This guide follows the season as it applies to the lawn.

When ground nests start

As with other nests, building begins from late April, depending on the weather. In spring the entrance is a small hole, sometimes with a little loose soil around it. At this point you may see only a handful of wasps. Over the summer the colony expands, reaching its peak in August.

Because the nest is underground, it can be much bigger than the entrance suggests. Treat a small hole with steady wasp traffic as a major hazard.

Remember that the entrance may be at the edge of a bank, beneath a hedge, or beside a tree root. A hole that looks like it was made by a small animal could be used by wasps. Watch where insects go rather than relying on the look of the hole.

In dry summers the wasps may be easier to see at the entrance, because the soil is bare and there is no wet grass to hide them.

The mowing calendar

The regular mowing season matches the wasp calendar closely. Between May and September you will be crossing the lawn every week. Each time, take a moment to scan for holes and traffic before starting the mower.

• Look at the lawn edges, banks, base of hedges and bare patches.
• Watch for wasps flying low and entering the soil.
• Check the area just before starting, not the day before.
• If you find a hole, stop, keep away and mark the area from a distance.

Think about the days when you cut the lawn. Early in the season, a quick look is enough. By July and August, a nest below the surface can be large, and the mower's vibration can reach it from some distance. If you notice wasps near your feet as you push the mower, stop at once and move away.

It is better to leave a long strip of grass than to risk disturbing the nest.

If you disturb one by accident

It can happen to anyone. If wasps come out as you mow or dig, leave the mower where it is and walk away quickly, taking children and pets with you. Do not run in a panic or flap your arms. Go indoors and close the doors and windows.

Wash any sting, remove the sting if you can see it, and use a cold pack. If someone has swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash, call 999. People with a known allergy should speak to their GP.

Do not go back for the mower until you have been advised that the area is safe.

Strimming near hedges and fence lines is another trigger, as is digging for planting. Allow a wide margin around any area that has wasp traffic, and warn anyone helping you with garden work. A second person should keep an eye on the surroundings from a safe distance.

Dogs, children and paths

Ground nests catch out dogs in particular, because they sniff along banks and hedges. Keep your dog on a lead near any suspect area, and fence off or cone off the spot from a safe distance. Children playing on grass should be told never to put hands into holes.

The same applies to allotments, paths and rough corners of larger gardens.

Look out for signs that a dog has been stung: sudden yelping, pawing at the face, or swelling around the mouth. Keep a close eye and contact a vet if you are worried. Children who play on the lawn should be called in at the first sign of trouble.

Remember also that ground nests are usually in areas people do not look: the corner of the garden, the field edge, the bottom of a bank.

What not to do, and what to do

Do not pour liquids into the hole, block it with soil or stones, or try to dig it out. Those actions provoke the colony and can send wasps in every direction.

After treatment, wait for the technician's advice before going back onto the area, and then fill any hole once you are sure that no wasps are using it. Do this in cool weather and with care, and check the spot again the next spring from late April.

It also helps to make a simple sketch of the garden showing where the nest was, then keep it with your gardening notes. Next year it will remind you where to look first, and where to keep the mower on its guard.

If the hole turns out to be in a shared or rented space, tell the person responsible so that the rest of the area is checked, because wasps often nest in clusters of suitable ground.

Wasp Nest Removal Essex works to a single fixed rate of £90 per nest and includes one visit guaranteed, with each extra nest on the same property at £35 apiece. Domestic and commercial properties are both part of the work, with full insurance in place, seven-day opening and same-day service offered.

Dial 01245 327274 or go to the contact page and use the online booking form. At the time of booking, ask whether the empty nest can be taken down later. Where a family member or colleague is allergic to wasp stings, note it when booking, because the booking can then be prioritised.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for North Benfleet