Why Are Wasps Flying Into Your Two Tree Island Home? Common Causes and Solutions

Wasps eat protein as well as sugar, and a bowl of pet food left by the back door can make a house a regular stop for foragers.

Wasps and protein

Many people think of wasps as sugar lovers, and adults are. But the grubs in the nest need protein, and workers gather it from many sources. They scrape meat from bones, take bits of fish and rummage through scraps. A dish of wet pet food or a leftover chicken carcass is a good find.

A bowl placed on a patio or in a porch can be visited all day long. The first wasp may be a lone scout, but if it finds a reliable supply it keeps coming back, and others follow the same route. Eventually the route may lead through the door and into the kitchen.

Cat food in the porch, a dog bowl on the patio and a dish of scraps for hedgehogs can all play a part, and each one can be an invitation, so check every spot where your animals feed.

What to change around the animals

Small changes bring quick results:

• Feed pets at set times and take the bowl away when they have finished.
• Wash the bowl straight after use, and rinse the area where it stood.
• Store open tins and pouches in a sealed container, not on the worktop.
• Keep dry food in a lidded tub.
• Do not leave bones or raw meat outside.
• Clear up fish scraps if you have a pond or aquarium, and cover fish food containers.

If you have several animals, think about each one. A rabbit hutch with vegetables, a birdfeeder with fat balls or a chicken run with scraps can also lure wasps.

If a bowl must stay out for a longer time, place it in the shade away from doors and windows, and cover it with a mesh dome, which still lets the animal eat while keeping insects out.

Is it the bowl or a nest?

The bowl is probably the cause if wasps visit only when food is out and vanish when it is taken away. They approach, hover, grab a morsel and fly off. They tend to be alone or in twos.

If wasps continue to come when the bowl is gone, or if they appear in streams from one direction, you should suspect a nest. Look at where they fly after leaving the bowl. A consistent line points to a colony in that direction, perhaps in a hedge, a shed or the roof of a neighbour’s building.

Stay well back when following their line. A colony of 2,000 to 10,000 wasps or more can respond fiercely if disturbed, and pets that wander near the entrance are at risk.

The time of day is a clue, too. Wasps that come at set times, in line with feeding, are food-driven. Wasps that come constantly, in any weather, are nest-driven.

A practical check is to put the bowl away for a full afternoon. If the wasps are gone by teatime, you have your answer. If the only change is that they are now looking in at the kitchen window, the bowl was not the cause.

It is worth noting, too, that fish and meat scraps in a food waste caddy can have the same effect as a pet bowl. Keep the caddy lidded, and empty it into the outdoor bin regularly.

Protecting animals from stings

Cats and dogs often chase a wasp and are stung on the nose, tongue or paw. A sting in the mouth can cause swelling that affects breathing, and a vet should be contacted if your pet seems unwell or swells quickly. Keep animals away from areas where wasps are active, and take them indoors if there is a lot of activity.

Do not allow children to feed pets outside while wasps are around. A wasp in a bowl can sting a small hand in an instant.

Chickens and rabbits are stung less often, but still react badly to a disturbed nest, so keep their runs clear of any area where a nest may be and tell the technician about them.

Smaller animals are more at risk from multiple stings. Keep hutches and cages indoors or in a sealed shed while the nest is active, and be aware that a frightened pet can run into the area you are trying to avoid.

Dealing with the nest

If the signs point to a nest, a professional visit is the safe route. Wasp Nest Removal Essex provides this for homes and businesses, with a fixed fee of £90 for each nest and one visit guaranteed. Another nest at the same address is charged at £35 each.

The business is fully insured and available seven days a week, and same-day service is offered. If you live in Two Tree Island, ring 01245 327274 or use the booking form on the contact page. Please mention if anyone at home has a wasp allergy so that the booking can be prioritised.

If the nest is in a spot your pets use, such as a shed or garden wall, let the technician know so they can take it into account. Ask whether the empty nest can be taken away.

If the nest is in a spot used by animals, such as a shed or hedge, keep pets inside until the visit is over.

Routine going forward

From late April, when queens begin building, adopt the new feeding routine and keep it going until the first cold nights of autumn. It is a small change, and it spares you and your animals many stings.

If your garden has a pond or a bird bath, remember that wasps also drink there, so keep the water level topped up and the edges free from slime to reduce the number that settle at the rim.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Two Tree Island