Wasp Nest in a Hedge or Bush – What Welwyn Garden City Garden Owners Should Know
The minutes after a disturbance are the most important, and this guide covers what to do immediately, how to treat stings and when to make the next move.
The first thirty seconds
If you have cut into a nest, shaken a branch and seen wasps pour out, or felt the first sting while working at a hedge, the priority is distance. Put down the tool if you can do so safely, turn away and walk quickly in a straight line, away from the hedge. Do not swat, wave your arms or stop to see what is happening behind you. Wasps are fast, but they generally defend a zone around the nest and then lose interest. Moving away calmly and steadily is the best option. Running blindly can cause falls, and falling in a garden full of tools and edges is a worse outcome than a sting.
If you are using a powered tool when it happens, switch it off first only if that takes a second, and otherwise simply let go. A running trimmer on the ground is better than a person staying put to deal with it. Do not carry the tool with you as you leave, since the weight and the blade slow you down.
Get indoors and shut the door
Go inside the house, a car or a shed with a closed door as soon as you can, and close the door behind you. A few wasps may follow. Once inside, check clothing and hair for wasps, and brush any off gently rather than slapping them. Close the windows on the side of the house nearest to the hedge, and keep children and pets inside. If you were not alone, count heads and check that everybody is accounted for. Someone who has run in a different direction may need help.
If you cannot get indoors, move to an open, clear area well away from the hedge, and keep going until the wasps stop following. Do not hide under a bush or in long grass, since you may end up near another entrance. A car is a good refuge if one is close, with the windows closed.
Dealing with stings
For ordinary stings, wash the area with soap and water, remove the sting if you can see it, scraping it out rather than squeezing, and apply a cold pack to ease pain and swelling. Keep an eye on the person over the next hour.
- Call 999 for any signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash.
- Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP about their situation.
- Many stings at once need medical attention, so seek advice if someone has been stung several times.
This is general safety advice and not a substitute for medical care. If in doubt, get help.
Do not scratch stings, as this increases swelling and the chance of irritation. Remove rings and watches from a stung hand or arm early on, since swelling can make them hard to take off later. Keep the person comfortable and resting, and stay with them in case they feel unwell.
What not to do next
When things calm down, the temptation is to go back, assess the damage or finish the job. Do not. The colony is now alert, and will be defensive around the hedge for a good while. Leave the tools and the trimmings where they are, and stay away from that part of the garden. Avoid taking revenge on the nest with a spray, a bucket of water or anything else. A damaged but active nest is more dangerous than an intact one, because the wasps are agitated. If part of the nest has been cut away and fallen to the ground, leave it, as it may still contain wasps.
Warn other members of the household that the hedge is out of bounds, and put up a visible marker once it is safe to do so. A note on the back door can help if people are coming and going. Postal workers and delivery drivers may use the path next to the hedge, so think about where they will walk.
Arranging treatment after a disturbance
Tell the team exactly what happened when you ring, including where the nest is, what you did, how long ago it happened and whether anyone was stung. This helps them plan the visit. In Welwyn Garden City or elsewhere, a damaged nest is no reason to wait for things to settle, and it is better to arrange treatment promptly. The price is a fixed £70 per nest, with £30 for an additional nest on the same property, and no call-out charge. It is confirmed on the phone before the technician visits, and it might be more where special access equipment is needed. No work is done unless you agree.
If the disturbance left the nest exposed, say so. The technician will want to know whether the structure is damaged and whether wasps are flying in unusual patterns. A clear account helps them prepare, and it makes it more likely that everything is done in one visit.
Getting back to the garden safely
The technicians are fully insured and qualified, and can be booked any day of the week, including same-day and out-of-hours slots. If you prefer to book online, the booking form and contact page are available, or you can phone 07852 111 437. If anyone has had a strong reaction to a sting, or is known to be allergic, say so at the outset so that the booking can be prioritised. After treatment, ask the technician when it is safe to go back. You will probably want to retrieve your tools and finish the hedge, but wait for confirmation, and look carefully before you begin.
Wear thick clothing when you return, even if the technician has said all is well. Long sleeves, trousers tucked into socks and gloves cost nothing and protect you from stragglers. Take the first look at a distance before approaching for tools.
Wasps on your property in Welwyn Garden City?
Fixed price £70 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.