DIY Methods to Get Rid of Wasps
Wasp Traps
Commercial or homemade wasp traps (a bottle with sugary water or jam) can reduce the number of wasps in outdoor eating areas. Place them away from where you sit to draw wasps to the trap rather than your food. Traps reduce numbers but will not eliminate a nest.
Shop-Bought Wasp Killer Spray
Aerosol wasp killer sprays with a long-range jet (up to 4 metres) can be used to treat small, accessible nests. Spray directly into the nest entrance at dusk when most wasps are inside and less active. Stand to one side, not directly below the nest.
Cover Food and Drinks Outdoors
Keeping food covered at barbecues and picnics and using lidded cups for sweet drinks significantly reduces wasp encounters. This is not a removal method, but it prevents the aggressive behaviour that causes most stings.
Leave Late-Season Nests
If you have identified a nest in a low-traffic area and it is late in the season (September onwards), the colony will die off naturally with the first frosts. Only the new queens survive to hibernate. You can safely remove the empty nest in winter.
Professional Wasps Control
Wasp nest removal is inherently dangerous. Disturbing a nest can provoke hundreds of wasps to attack simultaneously, and stings near the face and throat can be life-threatening, especially for people with allergies. For this reason, professional treatment is always recommended for established nests.
A pest controller will wear full protective equipment and apply insecticidal dust or spray directly into the nest entrance. The insecticide is carried deep into the nest by returning workers, killing the colony from the inside out. Treatment is typically completed in a single visit, and all wasp activity usually ceases within 2–4 hours.
Once the colony is dead, the nest can be removed if it is in a visible location. Your technician will also advise on sealing the entry point to prevent new queens choosing the same spot the following spring.
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How to Prevent Wasps
Check Your Property in Spring
Queen wasps emerge from hibernation in April and begin building new nests. Inspect loft spaces, sheds, garages, and air bricks in early spring when nests are small and easy to deal with before they grow.
Seal Potential Nesting Sites
Fill gaps in fascia boards, repair broken roof tiles, and fit mesh over air bricks and ventilation openings. Seal the gaps around pipe entries into the loft. The fewer entry points you provide, the less likely a queen will choose your property.
Keep Bins Sealed
Wasps are attracted to rotting fruit and sugary residues in wheelie bins. Keep lids firmly closed, rinse out cans and bottles before recycling, and move bins away from doors and windows where possible.
Remove Fallen Fruit
If you have fruit trees, collect windfall fruit promptly. Fermenting fruit is highly attractive to wasps in late summer and early autumn, drawing them into your garden in large numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a wasp nest to die after treatment?
After professional treatment, wasp activity around the nest typically ceases within 2–4 hours, though you may see a few stragglers returning to the nest over the following 24 hours. The nest itself is safe to remove after 48 hours.
Will wasps return to the same nest next year?
No. Wasp nests are used for one season only. The colony dies off in autumn and the nest is not reused. However, new queens may choose to build a nest in the same location the following year if it remains an attractive nesting site.
Can I remove a wasp nest myself?
It is strongly advised not to attempt DIY removal of an established wasp nest due to the risk of multiple stings. Small nests found very early in the season (when the queen is alone) can sometimes be knocked down, but anything larger than a golf ball should be left to a professional.
Are wasp stings dangerous?
For most people, a wasp sting causes temporary pain and swelling. However, some individuals experience severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) that require emergency medical treatment. Multiple stings can also be dangerous, particularly for children and the elderly.
How much does wasp nest removal cost?
Professional wasp nest removal in the UK typically costs between £50 and £100 for a single nest. The price may vary depending on the nest location and accessibility. BuzzKill Pest Control offers competitive wasp nest treatment with no call-out charge.