Wasp Nest in Your Garden Shed? Safe Treatment Options in Diseworth
Pets explore sheds with their noses and paws, which means a wasp nest nearby can lead to stings for them as well as for the people who feed them.
Why pets are at particular risk
Dogs follow smells and sounds, and a shed full of stored feed, old rugs or a favourite ball is irresistible. They push open doors, nose at gaps and dig at the base of walls, none of which a nest enjoys. A dog that sniffs the entrance may be stung on the nose or face, and a cat that jumps onto the roof could land beside a colony.
Small animals kept outdoors, such as rabbits in hutches or guinea pigs in runs, can also be in the flight path. Wasps rarely attack without cause, but a hutch placed directly against the shed wall is a poor choice during nesting season.
Hens, ducks and other garden animals can be in the same position. Ground-nesting wasps may be hidden in a corner of the run or under the base of a coop, so keep birds away from the area where wasps are active.
Signs that your pet has noticed
Animals often notice a nest before you do. Watch for behaviour that changes around one spot in the garden.
- A dog staring at one corner of the shed or standing very still.
- Pawing and sniffing at the base of the wall.
- Snapping at the air near the roof edge.
- A cat refusing to use a favourite perch.
- Sudden yelping, shaking the head or rubbing the face on the grass.
If you spot any of these, bring the animal indoors and look at the area from a distance. A repeated focus on one place, combined with wasps flying in and out, is worth acting on.
Dogs with thick coats may hide a sting for some time, so if your pet has been near the shed, run a hand gently over the face and paws once they are indoors and calm.
If your pet is stung
Take the animal away from the area calmly and keep it quiet. If you can see a sting, it is best to remove it quickly, though you should not take risks with an agitated pet. Offer water and watch for swelling, particularly around the face, mouth and throat, or for breathing that seems laboured.
Contact your vet promptly if you see swelling, repeated vomiting, collapse or distress. Do not give any human medication. A vet can advise on what to do, and a phone call is better than guesswork.
For stings to people, the same general rules apply as always: wash the area, remove a visible sting, use a cold pack, and call 999 if there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash.
Keep a note of anything that happened and when, because a vet will want to know how long ago a sting occurred and how the animal has been since.
Booking nest treatment in Diseworth
Wasp Exterminator Leicestershire treats a nest for a fixed £95 per nest, with £35 for an additional nest on the same property. There is no call-out charge, and the price is confirmed on the phone before the technician visits. Nothing is done without your agreement.
We work seven days a week, offer same-day service and cover both domestic and commercial properties in the area. A trained technician carries out the visit, and the work is fully insured. Please tell us on the phone if anyone at home is allergic to stings.
Mention the pets too, including any outdoor animals, so that you can agree how to keep them safe on the day.
If your pet is nervous, give us an idea of how they are likely to react to a stranger in the garden, so that arrangements for the day are straightforward.
Planning the visit around the animals
Put dogs and cats indoors, in a room away from the garden, before the technician arrives. Close the cat flap if there is one. Move hutches and runs to the far side of the garden, or indoors if that is practical, but only if you can do it without going near the shed.
If a dog is vocal, a closed door and a quiet room will help. Leave water and something to chew. Pets should stay indoors until the technician has said the area is safe.
After the visit, keep animals away from the shed for a while, and check the garden for stray wasps before letting them out.
Walk dogs on a lead past the shed on the way out of the garden for several days afterwards. A dog that has already reacted to the spot may keep returning to it, and some wasps may still be about.
Remove any outdoor water bowls and toys from near the shed beforehand, using the part of the garden furthest from the entrance. Wasps are attracted to leftover food, so bring in dishes as soon as meals are finished.
Keeping the shed pet-proof afterwards
Once the nest is treated, tidy up and think about how the shed attracts both wasps and animals. Store pet food in sealed tins. Wasps are drawn to meat and sweet scraps as well as to sugar, and a leaking bag of feed can become a regular stop.
Fix holes at ground level so animals cannot burrow in. Gaps are used by mice and voles, and old burrows are sometimes taken over by wasps.
To book, ring 0116 214 9259, or fill in the online form on the contact page.
Bedding, rugs and old blankets stored in a shed make a snug nest site as well as a place for a pet to curl up. Keep them in lidded boxes or bring them indoors, so that neither a queen nor a curious animal makes itself at home.
Wasps on your property in Diseworth?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.