Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for Bowbrook Gardens
The end of the wasp season is the best moment to make small changes, because the colony has gone and the next queens have not yet come looking.
Why autumn is the moment
When the colony dies and the nest is abandoned, you have a few months in which nothing is active. This is the best time to inspect, clean and repair. You can work without the risk of a disturbed nest, and you can plan for the spring.
It is also when you can see last year’s evidence most clearly. Old nests, gaps and signs of entry are easy to spot, and a little time spent now pays off in April.
A cold, dry day is ideal for the work. Tools and equipment are easier to handle, and any insect that remains in a crevice is slow and unlikely to cause trouble.
The point of doing this in autumn is not that wasps will return in force the next day, but that queens search for a place from early April and you want to have everything done by then.
The tidy-up list
Work through these jobs on a dry day once cold weather has arrived:
- Look at eaves, soffits and fascias for gaps and make a note of them.
- Check sheds and garages for old nests and remove those that are clearly empty.
- Clear stacks of timber, pots and sheeting away from walls.
- Check airbricks and vents for damage.
- Trim hedges to open up dense growth.
- Fill any old burrows in banks once winter has settled in.
- Tidy windfalls and compost heaps that attract wasps in late summer.
Take photographs as you go. You will have a record of the gaps you found and the repairs you made, which makes it easier to see changes next year.
Give a little thought to what you do with the garden waste you collect. Keep it away from the house and away from doors. A heap of damp leaves against a wall can hold insects and attract a queen to the area.
Dealing with any old nests
Old nests can be left or removed. If a nest is on the outside wall, it will weather away. If it is inside a building or in a spot that bothers you, remove it once you are sure the colony has gone.
Make sure there are no signs of activity for several cold days, wear gloves, and be gentle. If there is any doubt, ask a technician.
If you keep the old nest as a curiosity, let it dry and store it in a box. It has no use to wasps and no need to be kept out of sight, but it is better kept away from food and from children.
Remember that an old nest is not a trophy to be waved around. Put it in a bag, close it, and bin it. If it breaks apart, wear a mask and sweep up the pieces.
If the weather turns wet, leave outdoor jobs for another day. Slipping on a ladder to fill a gap is a far bigger risk than anything wasps will do between now and April, so safe, steady work comes first.
Repairs and who should do them
Some repairs are easy to do yourself. Others, such as work on a roof edge or high soffit, are not. Do not risk a fall to patch a gap. A builder, roofer or handyperson can take care of these jobs safely, and it is worth combining them with other maintenance.
If you rent your home, report defects to the landlord or managing agent. Who is responsible depends on the tenancy agreement, so check it.
Look at the garden furniture and storage too. Cushion boxes, outdoor covers and the space behind a tarpaulin all provide shelter. Take them indoors for the winter or store them in a tidy, open way.
Make a note of which jobs you need a professional for, and combine them. A roofer who is on site to deal with a tile may be able to fix the soffit at the same time, which saves you having to book twice.
What to leave until spring
Some jobs are best left until you can see what is happening. Do not seal any gaps if you are unsure whether a queen is sheltering inside. A queen asleep in a crevice is no threat, and she is better left alone.
Wait until the weather warms in April, when wasps start building depending on the weather, to carry out spring checks. Then walk round, watch the gaps, and note any signs of activity.
Remember to check hanging baskets, wall planters and trellis. A queen sheltering for winter may choose the back of a planter, and a quick look in the cold months does no harm. If you find one, cover her up again and leave her.
Try not to disturb areas that may hold hibernating insects, such as log piles and the corners of sheds, unless it is necessary. Where you do, put things back carefully.
Booking in Bowbrook
The fixed rate is £80 per nest with one visit guaranteed, and the rate for an additional nest on the same property is £40 extra. Location and time of day do not change the price. The area covered takes in Bowbrook and surrounding villages, with fully insured and qualified technicians available seven days a week. The business offers same-day service.
Telephone 07916 322 280 for a quote. The contact page form can be used instead. Emergency service out of hours is requested through the form, and evening and weekend visits can be booked. Describe the nest position when you ring, ideally with a photo taken from a distance.
Booking in the autumn for work next spring is not necessary. If you spot a nest in April or later, contact the team then, and in the meantime put your repairs and tidy-up notes somewhere you will see them.
Wasps on your property in Bowbrook?
Fixed price £80 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.