When Is Wasp Season in Welwyn Garden City?
The wasp year does not stop on a single day. This guide follows the slow decline through autumn and explains what to do about old nests and next year.
The end of the season is gradual
People often ask when wasp season finishes, and the honest answer is that it fades. After the August peak the colony begins to decline, and over the following weeks the number of wasps around gardens and houses drops. Cold nights speed it up, but there is no exact date, because it depends on how the weather turns.
The pattern is the same for homes in Welwyn Garden City as anywhere else in the UK: queens start nests in early April, numbers peak in August, and activity tails off through autumn.
It helps to think of autumn not as the end of the problem but as a change of its nature. The risk of stings and swarming remains for a while, but the chance of a new nest forming disappears until the following spring.
What happens inside the nest
The queen stops laying eggs and the nest produces new queens and males, which leave to mate. The old queen and the workers die as the cold sets in. The new queens go off alone to find somewhere sheltered to spend the winter. They are the only part of the colony that survives.
For you, that means wasps become fewer but may seem scrappier in October. A nest which is still busy is still capable of stinging, so keep away from it.
It is worth noting that the large number of wasps you may see in the early autumn are often workers that no longer have a nest to go back to, or whose nest is failing. They wander and seek out sugar and are more likely to end up in your kitchen or at the bin.
The new queens fly off and find a sheltered place, such as a hollow in a tree, a gap in a wall or a corner of an outbuilding. You may find a sleepy one in a shed or on a window frame over winter. Leave her undisturbed or take her outside gently.
What to do about an old nest
When the nest is quiet, it is not reused. A new queen will begin a new one rather than moving into last year’s. If you find a papery nest in the loft or shed in winter, you do not have an emergency.
Even so, take sensible care:
- wait for a hard frost, or several cold days, before assuming it is empty
- look from a distance for any wasps going in or out
- do not poke, shake or knock the nest down
- ask the technician when you book whether an empty nest can be taken down, if that matters to you
Dust and debris from old nests can be unpleasant, so wear gloves and a mask if you do clear one once it is definitely inactive.
If you decide to take down an old nest, the technician can tell you whether it is possible when you book. This is a separate question from the treatment itself and depends on where the nest is and how it is attached.
If the nest is in a loft, be careful about stepping on joists, and do not carry it through the house in a way that might spill debris. Seal it in a bag before you move it.
If you are removing an old nest from a roof space, think about the weight and where you stand. Roof timbers can be awkward to move along, and it is not worth risking a fall for the sake of a papery shell. If in doubt, leave it where it is.
Using the quiet months to prepare
Winter is when you can do the preventive jobs without a risk of stings. Check the loft, eaves, soffits, airbricks and outbuildings for gaps where a queen could slip in. Small cracks can be filled and loose fascia can be repaired, but be sure nothing is occupied before you block it.
Clear rotting fruit and tidy compost heaps in autumn, as they feed late wasps. Look over sheds and garages and tidy cluttered corners, because a queen likes undisturbed spaces.
Also think about food sources. Clearing fallen fruit and covering compost and bins in autumn takes away the final attractions for the last of the wasps. Wash down patio tables where drinks have been spilt.
If you plan building work, loft insulation or repairs to the eaves over winter, mention any previous nest to the builder so that they can look at the area carefully.
If you plan to store garden furniture, bikes or boxes in a shed for winter, shake out covers and cushions before you put them away, as a sleepy queen can tuck herself into folds of fabric. Take care, too, when you bring them out again in spring.
When a late nest still needs treating
Sometimes a nest is active well into the autumn, particularly if it is next to a door, a washing line or a play area. Do not assume that it will be harmless. If you are unsure whether it is still active, describe what you can see and ask.
You can phone 07852 111 437 or use the online booking form. The price is £70 per nest, £30 for an additional nest on the same property, confirmed on the phone before the technician visits, and no work is done without your agreement.
Remember that the cost does not depend on the time of year or the size of the nest. It is fixed at £70 and the only exception is where special access equipment is needed to reach the nest. You will always be told the price before the technician visits.
If you are not sure whether a nest is still active, it is better to ask than to guess. Describe the size, the position and what the wasps are doing.
Wasps on your property in Welwyn Garden City?
Fixed price £70 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.