Can You Remove a Wasp Nest Yourself? Advice for Bletsoe Homeowners
A nest in the lawn or under a hedge can be invisible until someone mows over it. Here is how to spot a ground nest, stay safe around it and get it treated.
A nest you can walk over
Not every nest hangs from a roof or sits in a loft. Many wasp colonies begin in the ground, often in an old rodent burrow, a gap under a tree root, the bank of a ditch or a hole beneath a shed or a patio. From above, there may be nothing to see except a small opening, a patch of bare soil and a handful of wasps coming and going.
That makes ground nests especially tricky for people who like to get on with a job themselves. The nest is hidden, the entrance is small and the colony underneath may be far larger than it looks. Wasps start building in early April depending on the weather, and by August a nest can hold as many as 2,000 wasps.
In places like Bletsoe, where there may be larger gardens, verges and field edges, a lawn mower or strimmer is a common way to find one by accident.
Ground nests are also easily confused with ant holes or the burrows of other creatures. The giveaway is the purposeful flight of the wasps, which travel to and from the same opening, rather than wandering over the grass.
How to spot a ground nest
Look for signs from a distance rather than walking across suspect ground.
- A small hole, often no bigger than a coin or a fist, with wasps flying directly in and out of it.
- A patch of loose or crumbly earth at the entrance.
- A steady stream of wasps along a low flight path, close to the ground.
- A sudden cluster of wasps near a bank, a hedge base or a pile of logs.
- Wasps rising out of the grass when you walk or mow in one spot.
If you notice any of these, stop what you are doing, back away slowly and mark the area from a distance.
Check the hedge bottoms, the base of old trees, the edges of compost heaps and the gap under a shed as well as the lawn. A nest in any of these places can be disturbed by a hedge-trimmer, a rake or even a strong footfall.
Why mowers and strimmers are a problem
A ground nest reacts strongly to vibration. The noise and movement of a mower, strimmer or any garden machine pass through the soil to the colony, and the wasps respond as if the nest were under attack. The person holding the machine is the nearest and most obvious target.
A stung operator may drop the machine, run in panic or fall while twisting to escape, which is dangerous with a blade or a cutting line still turning. Stings to the legs and ankles are common, and with a large colony there may be many of them in seconds.
If you disturb a ground nest by accident, switch off the machine if it is safe, walk away quickly in a straight line and go indoors. Do not stop to look. Wasps may follow for a short distance, and they will be most agitated near the nest.
Dogs are especially at risk because they sniff at holes. A pet that digs or noses at an entrance can provoke the colony, so keep dogs on a lead until the area has been dealt with, and call a vet if one is stung on the face or mouth.
What to do instead of digging or pouring
It is tempting to fill the hole with soil, pour something into it, cover it with a bucket or dig it out. Each of these brings you very close to the entrance, and none is a dependable way to deal with a colony that lies deeper than you can see. A covered or blocked hole often just sends wasps out through another route.
Instead, mark the area with a cane or chair from a safe distance, keep children and pets away and avoid mowing or working nearby. Note where the entrance is, how close it is to paths, doors and play areas and how busy it is.
For any sting, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and apply a cold pack. Call 999 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash. People with known allergies should speak to their GP.
Leave the grass long around the entrance rather than trimming it back to see better. Cutting the cover exposes you to the wasps and does nothing to deal with the nest.
Getting a ground nest treated
A visit from Wasp Exterminator Hertfordshire is a fixed £70 per nest, with £30 for any additional nest on the same property and no call-out charge. The price is confirmed on the phone before the technician visits, and the work only goes ahead once you agree. Where a nest needs special access equipment, the price might be more, and you will be told first.
Pick up the phone and dial 07852 111 437, or use the contact page or booking form if that suits you better. Bookings alert the technician covering your area by SMS and email, with same-day, evening and weekend slots open to domestic and commercial customers.
If a family member is allergic to wasp stings, mention it so that the booking can be prioritised. Leave the lawn unmown until the visit, and keep the marked area clear afterwards until the technician confirms it is safe.
Once the nest has been treated, ask whether the hole can be filled, and by when. Closing it too early can leave wasps trapped, while leaving it open for a long time can invite another queen to move in next spring. A short chat with the technician settles it.
Wasps on your property in Bletsoe?
Fixed price £70 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.