
Wasps become aggressive when threatened. A distressed wasp releases a pheromone that triggers a group attack — multiple stings can cause anaphylactic shock in people with allergies, and can be dangerous even without an allergy. Never attempt to block or remove a nest yourself. Blocking an entrance causes wasps to chew through plasterboard or wood to create a new exit — often directly into your living space.
Will the nest disappear on its own? Eventually, in autumn — but it will grow all summer first, reaching thousands of wasps before declining.
Can I treat it myself? Best attempted at night when wasps are inside and less active. However, professional treatment is safer and guaranteed.
Will wasps come back to the same spot? They won't rebuild in a treated nest, but a new queen may build nearby the following year. An old nest can act as a deterrent due to wasp territorial behaviour.
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Activity builds through late spring and peaks between July and September, when colonies are at their largest and most defensive. Nests treated earlier in the season are smaller and easier to deal with, so if you've spotted one forming, act quickly. A nest left until August is a much bigger job than one treated in May.
Wasps don't reuse old nests, but they are drawn to the same structural features that made a spot appealing in the first place. If the entry point is left open, a new queen may choose the same location the following spring. We can advise on simple proofing measures after treatment to make that less likely.
We apply an insecticidal dust or spray directly into the nest entrance. Returning workers carry it through the nest, and activity typically stops within 24 to 48 hours. In most cases the physical nest doesn't need to be removed. Once the colony is gone, the nest is inert; wasps will not use it.
Absolutely not. Disturbing a nest without the right equipment and treatment can trigger a fast, aggressive defensive response, and unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly. The risk is serious, especially if you or anyone nearby has an allergy. Professional treatment is faster, safer, and considerably more reliable than anything available over the counter.
The surest sign is a steady stream of wasps flying to and from a fixed point: a gap in the eaves, a soffit, an airbrick, or a hole in a wall or fence post. You might also hear a low, continuous buzzing from inside a wall or ceiling. Seeing 20 or more wasps around the property on a regular basis is a strong indicator there's a nest nearby, even if you don't know where.
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