Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for Upminster Gardens

Garden structures built for children and pets are warm, dry and low to the ground, so a short check in spring is a sensible habit.

Places where children and pets spend time

Wooden playhouses, treehouses, sandpit covers and dog kennels are all dry, sheltered spaces, and they stand in the part of the garden that families use most. A queen looking for somewhere to nest may find any of them appealing. The roof of a playhouse, the underside of a slide and the corner of a kennel are all typical choices.

If wasps nested in one of these last year, the colony is gone. The old nest will not be reoccupied, and nothing returns to it. A new queen starts afresh, so the useful step is checking structures before the season starts, and again from time to time as it goes on.

Families in Upminster with young children are the ones who benefit most from a regular inspection, because the garden is in constant use.

A sandpit with a lid is another favourite, since a lid left on all winter creates a warm, dark chamber, and an insect may be found under it when it is first lifted in spring.

A five-minute check before the season

In April, before the children start playing outside every day, look at each structure carefully. Open doors and hatches slowly. Look up at the roof, down at the floor and into corners. Check the underside of slides, the gaps in climbing frames and the space beneath raised floors.

• Look for small grey or brown paper structures.
• Look for a single wasp repeatedly entering a gap.
• Check sandpit lids and covers for insects underneath.
• Look inside play kitchens and storage boxes.

Make this part of the routine, like checking that the gate is shut.

Treehouses and platforms need a closer look at the roof and under the floor. If you cannot see properly without climbing, ask an adult who is steady on a ladder, or leave the inspection until winter. Do not allow children to climb up to look.

Trampoline pads and covers, paddling pools stored on their sides and plastic toys left in a heap are also worth checking.

Talking to children

Explain, without alarming them, that a hole or a grey ball with wasps going in and out is something to keep away from. Children respond to simple rules: do not touch, do not poke, tell a grown-up straight away. Practise it, so that they do not forget in the excitement of play.

Remind them to stay still if a wasp lands on them, and to walk away calmly instead of flapping their hands. A swatted wasp is more likely to sting.

If a child is stung, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and apply a cold pack. Call 999 for any signs of a serious reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash.

Keep sweet drinks and ice lollies in covered cups with a lid and straw where you can, and wipe sticky hands and faces after eating outside. Wasps are drawn to the smell, and a child with jam on their face is a magnet.

Teach children to move away from wasps calmly and to tell an adult if one lands on them.

Pets and kennels

Dogs are curious and often investigate holes and corners. A kennel with a nest in the roof or a gap in the wall is a risk for the animal and for the person feeding it. Keep an eye out for wasps near the kennel and its bedding.

Sweet pet foods and water bowls draw wasps, too, so feed pets indoors or clear the bowls away after meals. If a pet is stung, check for swelling around the face, and contact a vet if it seems unwell.

Chickens, rabbits and other pets kept outside have hutches and runs that also need checking. Look under the roofs of hutches and in the corners of runs, especially in spring, and keep feed in sealed containers.

Winter maintenance

When the equipment is not in use, take the time to wipe down surfaces, repair cracks, replace damaged roof felt and store cushions indoors. Dry, tidy structures are simpler to inspect, and a gap sealed now is a gap a queen cannot use.

Old nests found in these structures can be bagged once you are certain they are empty. You can ask the technician about removing an empty nest when you book a treatment.

If you have a playhouse made of untreated timber, check the boards for soft patches where a queen might chew into the wood.

Wipe them over with a damp cloth before the season starts so you can see the surface clearly.

If a nest appears

Keep everyone away from the play area, close the garden to the children and pets, and contact Wasp Nest Removal Essex on 01245 327274 or use the booking form on our contact page.

Each nest is a fixed £90 per nest, one visit guaranteed, and a second nest at the same address is £35 per nest. We are open seven days a week, offer same-day service, and are fully insured for domestic and commercial customers. Please tell us if any child or adult in the family is allergic to wasp stings.

Remember that many nests are found by accident, when someone moves a toy box or lifts a lid. Teach everyone in the household to look before they lift, and keep a torch handy by the back door in spring.

A well-lit, tidy play area also makes any nest easy to see from a distance.

Neighbouring children who visit should be told the rules too.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Upminster