Wasps Around Your Guttering and Fascias? How to Find the Nest in Pilgrims Hatch

A garden meal puts food and sweet drinks in the path of foraging wasps, and when the colony is overhead it is worth rearranging the space until the nest is gone.

Why wasps crash the party

Wasps are drawn to sweet drinks, ripe fruit, ice cream and meat, especially in late summer when the colony needs sugar and protein. A table in the garden is an obvious target. If a nest is at the eaves above or beside the patio, there is a short flight between the nest and the plates, and so the number of visitors is high.

This is an irritation in itself, but it also raises the risk of stings. Someone who swallows a wasp hiding in a can or bottle can be stung in the mouth or throat, which is serious. Children are especially at risk, since they may not notice a wasp on a sandwich or in a cup.

Alcohol and sweet fizzy drinks have a particularly strong pull. A glass with a splash of juice, left for a minute, can have several wasps inside it. Using covered drinks and checking glasses before lifting them is a habit worth forming from June to September.

If you are using a barbecue, remember that cooking smells carry. Meat juices, burgers and sausages are all attractive, so keep raw and cooked food covered and take plates inside as soon as they are empty.

Move the table, not the wasps

Until the nest is dealt with, shift the outdoor eating area as far from the affected wall as possible, ideally to a spot out of line of sight of the entrance. Even a few metres makes a difference, because wasps use the shortest route from the nest to a food source.

Choose a different part of the garden, or eat indoors. If you do eat outside, keep food covered, use lidded cups or drink through straws, and clear the table as soon as people finish. Keep bins away from the seating and make sure their lids are closed.

• Cover food and drinks.
• Check cans and cups before sipping.
• Wipe up spills at once.
• Keep sticky items in sealed containers.
• Don’t leave plates of leftovers outside.

It also helps to take the washing in. Wasps often land on damp clothes and towels, and are easily squeezed against skin when someone puts them on. Shake out fabric that has been outside before wearing it.

Dealing with a wasp at the table

If a wasp arrives, stay still and calm. Wasps are not usually aggressive when feeding, and flapping or swatting is more likely to provoke a sting. Let it finish and fly away, or gently guide it off with a card. Do not try to trap it against skin or crush it, which releases a scent that can attract others.

If a child is nervous, move everyone indoors rather than scolding. Stay away from the nest side of the garden and avoid sudden movements.

Check lollies, ice creams and chewed fruit when children are eating. A small child with sticky fingers is a wasp magnet, and wasps may follow the scent to the mouth. Wash faces and hands as soon as the eating is done.

Don’t try to lure or trap them

Homemade traps and baited jars can look appealing, but they do not solve a nest problem. The colony has thousands of workers and replaces losses quickly. Trapping a handful at the table does not touch the nest, and it may draw more wasps to the area. The only effective answer is treatment of the nest itself.

Also avoid leaving food out as a distraction. It increases the number of wasps in the garden and does nothing about the cause.

Some people hang decoy nests or use other deterrents. We cannot comment on their effect, but they do not deal with an existing colony. If you already have a nest, the answer is treatment.

It is also worth remembering that wasps are beneficial in some ways, as they feed on other insects in the garden. That does not make a nest by your table acceptable, but it explains why they are always about in summer, even when no nest is close. A single visitor is quite different from a steady procession from the same direction.

Treatment and booking

A technician for Pilgrims Hatch will confirm where the wasps are nesting and treat the nest at its source. If you have a gathering planned, tell us when you book. The service runs seven days a week, and same-day visits are offered.

The cost is a fixed £90 per nest, with one visit guaranteed, and a second nest on the same property is £35 more. We work on homes and commercial premises and are fully insured. Phone 01245 327274 or use the booking form on the contact page.

If you are hosting a party, an event or a child’s birthday, think about how many people will be on the side of the garden near the nest. A visit before the day gives you peace of mind and avoids having to explain to guests why there are wasps everywhere.

Looking after anyone who is stung

Wash the area, remove the sting if visible and use a cold pack. Swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash need a 999 call. Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP, and should be mentioned when you book so the visit can be prioritised.

After the nest is gone, you can use the whole garden again. A neat repair of the roofline will help prevent a repeat.

Plan ahead for next summer. Mend the roofline in the cooler months, keep an eye out for early wasps in spring, and arrange a quick check if you plan to entertain. A small amount of preparation keeps the garden usable all summer.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Pilgrims Hatch