Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for Brickhill Gardens
The outbuildings and corners of a garden are where wasps nest unnoticed, and this guide works through them one by one with a view to next spring.
The parts of the garden people forget
Many wasp nests are found not on the house but in the places that rarely get attention. The back of the shed, the underside of a decking board, a stack of paving slabs and the heap of old pots by the greenhouse are all quiet and sheltered. Queens favour them for exactly that reason. If you uncover an old nest in one of these places during a winter tidy, it will be empty. The colony dies in autumn, and the next queen starts a new one rather than moving into the shell. Even so, she may pick the same shed because it suits her, and that is what the rest of this guide tackles.
A useful habit is to go round the whole plot in one go in winter and photograph each corner. Looking at the pictures later shows you spots you would otherwise skip, such as the gap between the compost bin and the fence. It also gives you something to compare when you do your first spring check.
Sheds and garages
These buildings often have small gaps in the roofing felt, the eaves and the door frames. Inside, there are shelves, boxes and hanging tools that give a nest something to attach to. Go in on a cold day and look up at the roof timbers and the corners. If you find an old nest, take it down with gloves on once you are certain it is empty. Then deal with what made the place suitable. Patch holes in felt, replace damaged boards and put shelving against walls where you can see behind it. Hanging items such as hosepipes and ladders are best stored so they do not hide a corner.
Garages used for storage deserve particular attention. A car parked inside every night does not stop a queen using a gap in the roof lining or a corner behind a shelving unit. If boxes have sat undisturbed against a wall for a couple of years, move them in winter and see what is behind.
If the building has a window, look at the frame and the sill. Gaps beside old putty and under cracked sills are often missed, and a small hole is all a queen needs to get started.
Compost heaps, log piles and rubble
A compost bin, a pile of logs or a heap of old rubble can have gaps beneath that are dry enough for a queen. Wasps also use abandoned burrows beneath these piles. In winter, turn the compost, move the logs to a new position and clear the rubble if you can. You will be disturbing nothing, and you will be able to see what is there. Keep the heap tidy in summer, too. Fruit scraps and sugary waste attract adult wasps, which may then notice the shelter close by. A lidded bin keeps both food and nesting sites less accessible.
Wear gloves and keep your face away from the heap while you work, as winter does not remove every hazard. Turning a pile can expose spiders, rodents and sharp objects as well. If you find a nest that looks old, treat it as finished only if the weather has been cold for a good while and nothing is moving.
Decking, steps and the space below
Raised decking and steps often have gaps beneath them that are hard to see. A nest below a deck is difficult to spot until wasps are heard or seen going in and out at the edge. In winter, look underneath with a torch and clear leaves and debris, then close any large gap at the edge with board or mesh once it is cold enough to be sure nothing is using it.
Take care when lifting boards. Even in winter, lift a section slowly and look first. If something looks like a nest and you cannot tell whether it is old, put the board back and leave it until the weather has been cold for longer.
Spring checks for outbuildings
From early April, spend a few minutes at each outbuilding on a warm day. Stand a couple of metres back and watch the roof edge, the door and any holes in the walls. If the same corner shows a wasp entering several times, it is likely to be a nest. The people most at risk are those who open a shed door and walk straight in, so if you spot activity, do not use the building until it has been treated. Knocks and vibrations on a shed wall can agitate a colony. If you live in Brickhill, tell everyone who uses the shed or garage, including children and anyone who borrows tools.
Greenhouses and cold frames are worth a glance too. A hole in the seal or a gap under the staging can shelter a small nest, and the glass holds heat, which can make the wasps there especially active on a sunny day. Open a greenhouse door slowly, and if wasps are flying inside in unusual numbers, step back and close it.
Treatment for outbuilding nests
The fixed price is £70 per nest, with £30 for each additional nest on the same property, and no call-out charge. It is confirmed on the phone before the technician visits, and may be higher where special equipment is needed to reach the nest. Nothing is done unless you agree. Technicians are fully insured and qualified, and appointments are available seven days a week, including same-day, evenings and weekends. Phone 07852 111 437, or use the online booking form or contact page, and mention whether the nest is inside or outside the building.
If the outbuilding is used for work, such as a workshop or a store for a small business, say so when you book, since domestic and commercial premises are both covered.
Wasps on your property in Brickhill?
Fixed price £70 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.