Wasp Nest in Your Garden Shed? Safe Treatment Options in Southwell
An old paper nest found in the shed in the colder months is usually empty, but it is worth knowing how to be sure, and what it means for next year.
A surprise in the shed
Many people find a wasp nest only when they go to the shed in October or the depths of winter to fetch a spade. It is a papery grey ball or a flat, layered shape fixed to a rafter or tucked in a corner, and it often looks surprisingly large. If you live in Southwell and have just found one, the first question is whether it is still in use.
Do not be alarmed by its size. A nest that has been in use all summer can be as big as a football or larger, and it can look as though it must have contained a vast army. That is accurate, but the army has now gone.
Is it empty?
By late autumn the colony has largely died off. The workers do not survive the cold, and the new queens leave to find a sheltered spot for the winter. So a nest found in a cold shed in December is almost certainly empty. Even so, check from a distance, because a late-season nest can still hold wasps in a mild autumn.
- No wasps entering or leaving on a warm day
- No humming or movement when you stand quietly nearby
- The shed has been cold for a good while
- Dead wasps lying below the nest, which means the colony has finished
If you are in doubt, do not touch it.
One more way to judge is to tap nothing and disturb nothing, but simply take a torch and look from the doorway. If the nest looks dry, brittle and pale with holes in the sides, it is old. A nest that is still warm and humming is not.
Should you remove it?
An empty nest does no harm by being there, but you may prefer it gone. If you decide to move it, wear gloves, handle it gently and put it straight into a sealed bag. Do not break it open indoors, as it can release fragments and the occasional dead insect.
If you would rather have it dealt with, ask the technician at booking whether the empty nest can be taken down. It is also worth remembering that a queen may be hibernating nearby, and a disturbed queen can still sting.
If the nest is in a loft or a cavity, you may decide to leave it. Taking it out is not always necessary, and it can be fiddly. Only remove what is easy to reach, and do not force anything.
If you do clear it, do it on a cold day when any wasps will be sluggish, and pick a time when you can work slowly. Bag the nest straight away. Wash your hands afterwards and clean any tools you used. An empty nest is light, brittle and crumbles easily, so avoid squeezing it.
Where did the queens go?
New queens leave the nest in autumn to hibernate. They often choose a dry, quiet crevice: under loose bark, between stored items, in the folds of old fabric or inside a hollow in the shed. If you move things in winter, you might find one, drowsy and motionless.
If you do find a sleeping queen, the kindest and simplest option is to leave her alone. If she has to be moved, do so gently and put her somewhere sheltered and cold, away from the house. Never bring her into a warm room, as she will wake up.
You may also see other insects using the abandoned space, such as spiders and moths. These are quite harmless, and a half-empty nest is of interest to nobody once the winter has set in.
Queens that overwinter in sheds, garages and lofts are the reason some people see a wasp indoors on a sunny winter day. The warmth wakes her briefly. Open a window and let her go outside, or gently guide her out in a glass. She will usually find somewhere cooler to settle again.
Using the quiet months well
Winter is the best moment to prepare. With no wasps around, you can examine the shed in comfort. Look for the gap the queen used last year, repair torn felt, fill cracks and tidy the contents. Take photographs of the area so you remember where the nest was.
The nest will not be reused, but a queen may favour the same type of spot. Make a note to look again in late April, when the new season gets going.
It is helpful to record the position of the nest on your phone or in a notebook. In spring, that note tells you which corner of the shed to watch most closely, and it helps you notice any early activity.
Late winter is also a good time to think about what the building is used for. If you can move the most-used items to a more accessible place, you will be less likely to disturb anything in spring when queens are looking around.
If a nest appears again
Should a new nest start next spring, an early call is the easiest route. Our fixed price is £95 per nest, with £35 for an additional nest on the same property, and there is no call-out charge. The price is confirmed on the phone before a visit, with no work done without your agreement.
We are open seven days a week, offer same-day service and cover domestic and commercial properties. To book, phone 0115 937 5117 or complete the form on the contact page.
If you are not sure whether a nest is active, ask. Describe what you see and we can say whether it sounds as if you have a live colony. It is always better to check than to guess.
If you find a nest in the colder months and you are not certain it is empty, phone and describe what you can see from a safe distance. We can advise whether it needs attention or can wait until the weather warms.
Wasps on your property in Southwell?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.