Wasp Nest in a Hedge or Bush – What Prittlewell Garden Owners Should Know

A curious dog will nose straight into the base of a hedge, which is exactly where a wasp nest may be waiting.

Why pets are stung so often

Dogs explore with their noses, and cats pounce on anything that moves. Both will happily push into the base of a hedge, sniff an interesting hole in the soil or snap at a wasp that flies past. All of this is how pets end up being stung on the muzzle, the paws or inside the mouth, which is both painful and potentially dangerous.

A pet cannot be told to stay away from a hedge, so the sensible approach is to remove the temptation and to deal with the nest.

Pets can also pick up the problem indirectly. A dog that has been stung once may become anxious about the garden, or develop a habit of barking at the hedge. A nervous dog is more likely to run, and a running dog is more likely to bring wasps with it. Treating the nest reduces the likelihood of a repeat.

Signs your pet has found something

You may not see the wasps at all, but your animal’s behaviour can give you a clue. Watch for:

• A dog that keeps returning to the same spot at the base of a hedge or shrub.
• Pawing, sniffing or snapping at the air around the foliage.
• Sudden yelping, shaking the head or rubbing the face on the ground.
• A swelling on the muzzle, lips or paws.

If your pet has been stung, particularly in the mouth or throat, or is struggling to breathe, contact a vet immediately rather than waiting.

Some animals show their distress later. A cat that has been stung may hide, lick a paw or refuse food, and a dog may paw at its face for some time. If you are not sure what happened, check for swelling and call the vet for advice.

Look at your pet’s favourite routes through the garden, and ask whether any of them pass the hedge. Dogs follow scent trails, and a regular path along the base of the planting is the one most likely to end in an encounter.

Keeping animals away from the area

The simplest step is to stop pets using that part of the garden. Keep dogs on a short lead when they go out, or let them out only after you have checked the hedge. Cats are harder, but you can keep them in during the busiest part of the day and close the cat flap if the hedge is next to the back door.

If your dog is a digger, take extra care. A ground nest at the base of a hedge may look like an enticing hole, and a dog that digs into it will be attacked by the whole colony. Fence off the area from a distance if you can, using a temporary barrier that does not require you to go close.

Remember that pets also bring wasps indoors in their coats, and a stung animal may panic and run into the house.

Rabbits, guinea pigs and other outdoor pets are especially vulnerable, because they cannot move away. If hutches or runs are near the hedge, move them to a quieter part of the garden if you can do so without going close to the nest. If that is not possible, ask the technician whether they can be covered or taken indoors during the visit.

Small birds in aviaries and chickens can also be disturbed by wasps. Keep them away from the area until the nest has gone.

What to do about the owner’s own safety

If your pet is attacked, resist the urge to dash into the hedge to rescue it. Call it to you from a distance, and if it runs to you, move away from the hedge together. A frightened dog may still have wasps on its coat, so stay calm and avoid hugging it face to face.

For human stings, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and apply a cold pack. Ring 999 if there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash. People with known allergies should consult their GP.

Pets can need veterinary attention for stings, particularly to the mouth, so keep your vet’s number to hand.

Never feel embarrassed about calling for help over a nest your pet found. It happens to many households, and an early visit is far better than waiting until a dog has been stung several times.

Arranging the treatment around your animals

On the day of the visit, keep dogs and cats indoors, in a room away from the hedge side if possible. Close the cat flap and make sure no gate is left ajar. The technician will work from a safe distance first, and it helps if animals are not underfoot.

Afterwards, ask when pets can use the garden again. Take a look at the hedge together, from a distance, to see whether any wasps remain in the area.

If the empty nest is visible, a dog may want to investigate it. Ask the technician at booking whether it can be removed, so there is nothing left to tempt your pet.

It also helps to think about how you will exercise the dog in the meantime. Walks beyond the garden are fine, but return through the house rather than a side gate that passes the hedge. A short lead when crossing the garden is wise until you have been told the area is clear.

Anyone looking after your pets while you are out, such as a dog walker or a neighbour, should be told which part of the garden to avoid.

Prices and contact details

Wasp Nest Removal Essex covers Prittlewell and the surrounding area. A single nest is treated for a fixed £90 fee, with one visit guaranteed, and an extra nest at the same address adds £35 to the bill. We work seven days a week and offer same-day service, fully insured, for homes and businesses.

You can phone 01245 327274 or send the booking form on the contact page. Let us know about any pets, and whether anyone at home has a wasp allergy.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Prittlewell