When Is Wasp Season in St Lawrence Bay?

The end of wasp season is gradual, and it is worth knowing what to expect in autumn, how to treat leftovers and how to prepare for next spring.

Winding down, not switching off

After the August peak, a colony does not vanish overnight. Numbers fall gradually through September and into October as the weather cools. In St Lawrence Bay, as everywhere, you may still find wasps around the garden for weeks after the worst of the summer is over.

It helps to treat autumn as a tapering period: fewer wasps, but still enough to cause problems if you go near a nest.

Knowing what is normal in autumn stops you from either panicking over a few stragglers or relaxing around a nest that is still alive.

An active nest is still an active nest

Some people relax too soon. A nest that is still busy in September contains plenty of wasps and will defend itself. If you see traffic to and from one spot, treat it as live no matter what the date says.

The same rules apply as in July: keep your distance, keep children and pets away, and avoid noise and vibration near the site. Do not try to knock a nest down just because it is late in the year.

Weather matters here. A sharp cold night can quieten a nest for a day, and a warm afternoon then wakes it up again. Do not assume a nest is dead because it was silent on a single chilly morning.

Spotting an empty nest

As autumn goes on you may find that the traffic stops. A nest with no movement for several days in mild weather may be finished. It is still wise to be careful: you cannot be sure from a distance that nothing is inside, and a quiet day can be caused by cold rather than an empty nest.

• Watch the entrance on a warm afternoon before drawing conclusions.
• Do not poke or prod a nest to test it.
• If you are unsure, ask for advice rather than guessing.

If you have a business with outdoor space, autumn is still part of the season. A café terrace with ice cream and fruit juice will draw wasps well into the autumn, and staff need to keep tables clear and bins closed until the cold has really set in.

At home, the same goes for windfall apples and pears. Pick them up often and do not leave open bins beside the back door.

What to do about the leftovers

Old nests in lofts, sheds or wall cavities sometimes remain after the season. Ask the technician at booking whether the empty nest can be taken down. Leaving it where it is does not usually cause trouble, but it can look unsightly and may hide where wasps got in.

Use autumn to find out where they gained access. Gaps in eaves, walls and chimneys are the favoured places, and repairing them before next April makes it harder for wasps to settle.

If you do find that a nest is old, resist the urge to clean it out by hand. Disturbing a nest that still has a few wasps inside can result in stings. Let a technician check and, once it has been treated, you can ask about taking it down.

A nest in the loft is a common example. Look for it with a torch from the hatch rather than going in, and leave it be.

A tidy-up before winter

Late in the year is a good time for practical jobs. Once you are confident that no wasps are using the area, clear away old debris near the foundations, trim back plants that hide the base of walls, and check the roofline from the ground for loose boards or gaps.

Consider sheds, garages and lofts. Wasp nests are sometimes found there when you go in to fetch the Christmas decorations. Open the door slowly and look before you step inside. If you see a papery structure and any movement at all, close it again and get advice.

Do not light fires or use sprays to deal with an old nest. A cold, empty structure is usually harmless, but it can still contain stragglers.

If the property is managed for you, report any nest you notice so the person responsible can plan repairs. Making a record now saves guesswork in spring, when you are trying to remember where wasps were seen going in and out last summer.

A photograph of the entrance taken from a safe distance with a phone is also helpful when you speak to anyone about it. It shows the technician what to expect before the visit, and it lets you compare notes if the activity changes from one week to the next.

A short autumn checklist also helps: clear gutters and look for gaps in soffits, check the chimney pots and cowls, trim back dense growth against walls so you can see them, and keep a note of any place where you saw wasps enter during summer. Pass that note on to whoever manages the repairs.

If you rent, check your tenancy agreement for who arranges repairs and pest control.

Looking ahead to next spring

Wasps begin building again from late April depending on the weather. Early spring is the best time to deal with any nest, because it is small and the risk is lowest. Put a reminder in your diary and walk round the property then.

For a nest on your property, Wasp Nest Removal Essex charges a fixed £90 per nest, one visit guaranteed, and £35 buys treatment of another nest on the same property. Private homes and commercial buildings can both be treated, and the technician is fully insured, while the line is open seven days a week for same-day service.

Telephone 01245 327274 or, if you prefer, use the online booking form on the contact page. As part of the booking, check whether the empty nest can be taken down after treatment. Anyone who is allergic to wasp stings, let us know at booking so the booking can be prioritised.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for St Lawrence Bay