Can You Remove a Wasp Nest Yourself? Advice for Stockhill Homeowners
While a nest waits to be treated, the aim is simple: keep children, pets and visitors out of the flight path and avoid doing anything that provokes the colony.
Who is most at risk
Adults can usually understand a warning, step back and stay away. Children, pets and visitors are different. A toddler will wander towards a buzzing sound. A dog will sniff at a hole in the ground. A visitor who has never been to the house will walk straight along the side path beneath the nest. The people most likely to get stung are therefore those who do not know it is there.
That is why the time between spotting a nest and the technician’s visit matters. A few practical rules in Stockhill, or anywhere, make the gap much safer.
If you are not sure where the nest is, say so. It is better to keep the whole garden restricted for a day or two than to guess which corner is safe. Once the technician has dealt with the nest, they will tell you when the area can be used again.
Children
Talk to children simply and without alarm. Tell them there are wasps living in a particular place and that nobody goes near until the wasp man has been. Show them where it is from a distance, and describe the area as out of bounds. Younger children need more than words, so keep them supervised in the garden and consider using a different part of it.
- Move toys, paddling pools and sandpits away from the nest side.
- Keep washing lines, swings and garden furniture clear of the flight path.
- Make sure children do not throw things at the nest or try to look at it.
- Teach them to stay calm and walk away if a wasp comes close, rather than waving their arms.
Remind older children that wasps are drawn to sweet things and that a can of drink or an ice lolly can attract them. Teach them to check a drink before sipping from it outside, and not to eat while running around the garden. These are good habits whether or not a nest is present.
For babies and toddlers in pushchairs or play mats, keep them indoors or in shade at the far end of the garden, and never leave them unattended near a nest.
Pets
Dogs and cats are natural investigators, and a nest in the ground or in a low hedge is especially tempting to them. Keep dogs on a lead near the affected part of the garden, or walk them out of the front door instead of the back. Cats can be kept indoors if you are worried. Move pet bowls indoors, as wasps are drawn to food and water left outside.
If a pet is stung, particularly on the face or mouth, or seems unwell afterwards, contact a vet for advice. Do not wait to see whether things improve if you notice swelling or breathing difficulty.
Visitors and callers
Think about everyone who comes to the property. Delivery drivers, postal workers, meter readers, friends and family are all likely to follow the usual route. Put a clear note on the gate or front door if the nest is near a path, and make sure other adults in the household know. If you are expecting guests, meet them at the gate and guide them round, or ask them to use another entrance.
Gardeners and window cleaners deserve a particular mention. They move around with tools and ladders and can easily disturb a nest. Ask them to postpone their visit until the nest has been dealt with.
A short household plan is worth setting down. Decide who will be responsible for children when they are in the garden, who will let the dog out and where, and who will meet the technician. Write a short note and put it on the kitchen wall, so that every adult follows the same rules. This is especially useful in households where different people come and go at different times of day.
If you have a nest in a communal area such as a shared garden, a courtyard or a stairwell, speak to the neighbours or the managing agent straight away. Whoever is responsible for the shared space will need to agree to a visit, and whether the cost falls to you or to them depends on your tenancy agreement or the arrangements for the building.
Finally, remember that a calm household is a safer one. Children copy adults, so if you walk away quietly from a wasp rather than flailing, they will learn to do the same.
Indoors and outdoors in the meantime
Keep windows near the nest shut, especially in the heat of the day. Cover food and drink outside, keep bin lids closed and clear up spilled juice or fallen fruit. Do not swat at wasps. If one comes into the house, open a window on the far side of the room and let it leave.
A person who has been stung needs the area washed, any visible sting taken out and a cold pack held on it. Swelling around the face, lips or throat, wheeze or difficulty breathing, dizziness and a spreading rash are all reasons to call 999. People with a known allergy should speak to their GP, and a household member who is allergic should tell us when you book.
Booking the treatment
The fee for a nest is a fixed £95 per nest, with a further nest at the same property at £35 each. There is no call-out charge. The price is confirmed on the phone before the visit, and nothing is done unless you agree. We are open seven days a week, offer same-day service and work for both homes and businesses, with trained technicians and fully insured work.
Booking is by phone on 0115 937 5117 or through the online form on our contact page. Tell us where the nest is and who might be at risk. After treatment, you can ask whether the empty nest can be taken down.
Wasps on your property in Stockhill?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.