Wasp Nest in Your Garden Shed? Safe Treatment Options in Handford
A nest found in a shed late in the year raises its own questions: is it still active, is it safe to remove, and does it need treating at all?
A nest found when the season is ending
Plenty of people discover a nest only when they clear the shed for winter. The leaves are falling, the garden is being put to bed, and in a dark corner there is a grey paper structure the size of a football. The natural question is whether it matters now.
The answer depends on whether the wasps are still there. A colony grows through the summer and peaks in August, then declines as autumn arrives. A nest can look empty from a distance and still hold insects, and the only way to be sure is to look from afar and then ask for advice.
Another reason for care is that autumn wasps behave differently. As the colony breaks down, workers no longer have grubs to feed and they wander in search of sugar. They may seem bolder and more irritable around bins, fallen fruit and drink cans, and they can turn up in a shed that has nothing to do with the nest.
Do not assume that a nest you have found is the one responsible for the wasps you have seen. There may be another elsewhere, in the soil or in a wall.
Is it still active?
Watch the entrance for ten or fifteen minutes on a mild day. Wasps going in and out mean the nest is occupied. An absence of traffic is a good sign, but cool weather can slow wasps down, so a quiet nest is not always an empty one.
Signs that a nest may still be in use include:
- a few wasps hovering near one gap, even if the traffic is thin
- a faint buzzing in the wall when it is quiet
- wasps clustering on the warm side of the shed in the afternoon sun
- fresh paper dust below the entrance
Handford is much like anywhere else in that the weather varies from week to week. A mild spell in October can bring wasps back out, so judge by what you see, not by the date.
If the entrance faces south or west, wasps often become active during the warmest part of the afternoon. Checking at midday or two o’clock gives a fairer picture than looking at breakfast time, when everything is cold and quiet.
Write down what you observe over two or three days, noting time, weather and the number of wasps. This short record is helpful when you speak to the technician.
Do not poke an old nest
Even if you are sure that the nest looks dead, do not hit it, pull it down or throw it on a bonfire. Wasps may still be inside, and they can sting at any time of year. Leave it undisturbed until someone has checked.
If the nest is inside the shed on a beam or shelf, close the door and tell the household. If it is in a gap in the wall, do not poke a stick in to see what happens. It is far better to book a check, and the technician can tell you whether it has been abandoned.
Pets deserve the same caution. A dog that finds a fallen nest may chew it, and a cat may paw at one inside the shed. Keep animals away until the technician has said the site is clear.
Children are tempted by a paper nest, which looks like a curiosity. Explain that it is not a toy and could still contain wasps.
Treatment, timing and cost
A technician can inspect the nest and treat it if wasps are present. The price is a fixed £80 per nest, with one visit guaranteed. Should a further nest turn up on the property, it adds £40 more. There is no call-out charge, and no extra for the time of day or location.
If you want the old nest removed after treatment, ask the technician at booking whether it can be taken down. Not every nest can be removed easily, particularly if it sits inside a wall cavity, but you can ask.
Remember that the cost is the same whatever the time of year. The fixed price covers the nest wherever it is on your property, and there is no extra for an awkward corner of the garden.
Using the quiet months well
Winter is the best time to repair the shed. With no wasps flying, you can fill gaps, repair felt, replace rotten boards and paint the exterior. Clear the inside too, and leave the door open for an afternoon to dry out the space.
It is also the time to think about the following year. Queens spend the winter sheltering in sheltered places and begin new nests in spring, often in early April. Sealing gaps in autumn and winter reduces the number of sheltered openings available.
When you clear the shed for winter, bag up any sacks or cardboard that have been chewed. Wipe the shelves and check that no pots of sugary liquid, such as spilled squash or old jam jars, remain inside, as these draw wasps in the following summer.
Getting in touch
If you are unsure about a nest, ring 07916 322 280 or use the online booking form on the contact page. We cover domestic and commercial premises, are open seven days a week and offer same-day service and evening and weekend appointments. Mention any allergy in the household when you book so the booking can be prioritised.
Because wasps do not use the same shelter for ever, there is rarely a reason to be anxious about the following year. A tidy shed and a quick check in spring are enough for most households.
Wasps on your property in Handford?
Fixed price £80 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.