Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for Rowton Gardens
Mistaking a harmless insect for a wasp nest, or a wasp nest for something else, leads to wasted effort, so it pays to know what you are looking at.
Why identification matters
People call for help about insects that turn out to be bees, or ignore wasps they take for something harmless. Knowing the difference helps you choose the right action. We deal with wasps, not bees, hornets or other pests.
It also affects the question of whether nests are reused. Different insects behave differently, and the idea that insects come back to the same place each year may be true of some, but it is not true of wasps.
A good photograph taken from a safe distance often settles the question. Include something in the picture to give an idea of scale, such as a drainpipe or a window frame.
Be especially wary of identifying an insect from memory of a childhood picture. Colours and shapes are easy to misremember, and a quick look at a few photographs from a reliable source, or a call to an expert, clears things up.
How wasps look and behave
Wasps are slim with smooth bodies, bright yellow and black bands and a narrow waist. They fly quickly and tend to come to sugar and meat. Their nests are made of a grey, paper-like material, built in gaps in buildings, in trees, in bushes or underground.
- A smooth, thin body with a clear waist
- Little or no fur
- A grey papery nest with layers
- Quick, darting flight
- A steady line of insects going to one entrance
Wasps also have a distinctive way of flying in and out of a nest. They go straight to the entrance and move in and out quickly, rather than hovering over flowers for long periods.
Another point is the way wasps feed. In spring they hunt insects for the grubs, and later in the year they take sugary food and drink for themselves. That change of diet is one reason they become a nuisance in late summer.
How bumblebees and honeybees differ
Bumblebees are round and furry, with a gentle droning flight. They nest in small groups in the ground, in grass or in old burrows, with no paper structure. Honeybees are smaller, slimmer than bumblebees, and live in hives or in cavities in walls or trees.
If you think you have bees, contact a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation. We do not treat bees, and they are worth protecting where possible.
Bumblebees are valuable pollinators, and their nests are usually small and short-lived. They are best left alone unless they are in a place that causes real difficulty. A local bee organisation can offer advice.
Solitary bees and mining bees dig small holes in lawns and banks, sometimes in large groups. They are not wasps and are usually docile. If you see small mounds of soil with little holes, ask a local bee organisation before assuming you have a wasp nest.
Old nests and the confusion over reuse
Part of the idea that insects return to the same nest comes from bumblebees and honeybees, whose behaviour differs. A hive can be used for many years. A wasp nest cannot. The colony dies in autumn, the nest is abandoned, and new queens start afresh in spring.
If you see insects using a spot year after year, ask whether they are wasps. If they are, it is a succession of new queens, not the same colony.
It is natural to wonder about queen wasps and bumblebee queens in spring. Both appear early and fly slowly near the ground. A close look at the colour, size and body shape usually tells you which is which.
Honeybee swarms can settle temporarily on a fence or a branch and look alarming, but they are normally on the move within a day or two. A beekeeper can collect a swarm. Do not spray it.
When you cannot tell
If you cannot identify the insects, watch from a distance and take a photo with a zoom. Do not approach the nest. Note the shape of the nest, the colour of the insects and their behaviour.
When you ring to book, describe what you have seen. A technician can say whether it sounds like wasps, and advise on the next step. Wasps start building in early April depending on the weather, and by August a nest can hold as many as 2,000 wasps.
Please do not guess when a child or a pet has been stung. If you do not know what stung them, treat it as a wasp sting for first aid: wash the area, remove any visible sting and apply a cold pack, and call 999 if there is swelling of the face, lips or throat or any difficulty breathing.
Keep the photograph, as it will be useful when you speak to a technician or a beekeeper, and make a note of the date and the time of day.
Booking in Rowton
Expect a fixed £80 per nest and one guaranteed visit, with an additional nest at the same property charged at £40 extra. The figure stays the same for any time of day. Rowton and the area around it are served every day by fully insured and qualified technicians. Same-day attendance is something you can ask for.
Quotes and bookings are handled on 07916 322 280. Alternatively, the contact page has a booking form. Both evening and weekend appointments are available, and emergencies outside office hours can use the form. Raise any allergy to stings at the time of booking.
If you have sent or taken a photograph of the insects or the nest, have it ready when you ring. It makes it easier to confirm that wasps are involved before a visit is arranged.
Wasps on your property in Rowton?
Fixed price £80 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.