Are Wasps Dangerous? Understanding Stings and Nest Disturbance in Kegworth
A wasp hovering over your drink in late summer is usually just looking for food, which is a different thing from a nest, and the danger differs between them.
Two situations that look alike
People often use the word wasp to cover two quite different situations. In one, a few wasps wander through the garden, land on a drink or investigate a plate. In the other, wasps stream in and out of one fixed spot, which tells you a nest is nearby. The first is irritating and manageable. The second is where the real danger lies, because that is where the colony reacts together.
Knowing which one you have makes all the difference to what you do next.
It is worth taking a short look at your own habits in this respect. If wasps are only around when there is food out, you probably have visitors rather than residents. If they are around at all hours and on every side of the house, a nest is more likely, and it is time to look for the flight path from a safe distance.
A useful rule of thumb is to watch where they go when they leave. A wasp that flies off in a consistent direction, again and again, is heading home.
Telling them apart
A few clues help.
- Scattered wasps at different places and times point to foraging, often drawn by food and drink.
- A steady line of wasps going to and from one gap, hole or bush points to a nest.
- Wasps carrying away food or chewed wood may be heading back to a nest, and it is worth watching which direction they go.
- Persistent wasps in one room may be coming from a hidden entrance nearby.
- Buzzing or scratching from a wall or ceiling is another sign.
If you see a regular flight path, assume there is a nest, however small it looks.
Do not follow them to find the nest. Watching from your door or window is fine, but walking up to a suspected entrance is how most accidental disturbances happen. Make a note of where you think the line ends and describe it when you book.
Staying safe at the table
For wasps that are simply after food, calm habits are enough.
- Cover food and drinks, and keep sweet items in sealed containers.
- Check cans and cups before drinking from them.
- Keep bins closed and rinse recycling.
- Do not swat. Move slowly, and let the wasp go on its way.
- Move a meal indoors for a few minutes if wasps become persistent.
Remember that many wasp visits to the table in late summer come from a nest that is not far off. It is worth thinking about where they might be coming from.
Families sometimes find it helpful to set up a separate table for sweet drinks, away from where everyone sits. A saucer of something sweet placed some distance from the meal can also distract wasps, though this will not reduce the colony. It simply keeps them away from the plates for the afternoon.
Why late summer feels worse
The nest grows through the summer and peaks in August, when it may hold 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps. By then many workers are out looking for food, and they are most noticeable around sweet drinks, ice cream and fruit. This is why wasp numbers seem to jump in the garden around the school holidays, even though the nest has been growing for months.
The lesson is that the nest you first heard about in spring is rarely smaller by the time you see wasps on your plate. Dealing with it early is far more comfortable than doing so when the colony is at its largest. Wasps begin building from late April depending on how mild the spring is.
Fruit trees and bins add to the pull. Windfall apples and plums on the lawn, an open compost bin or an overfull recycling box can all keep wasps coming back. Tidy these up regularly, and keep the lids shut.
If food sources are removed, the wasps will still need somewhere to live, so a nest will not go away simply because the table is clear.
When it stops being a nuisance
A nest becomes a safety concern when it sits near where people go. Examples include a nest beside a back door, a shed you use daily, a washing line or a place where children play. In and around Kegworth, as anywhere, you may need to use these spots every day. A wasp at the table can be shooed away, but a nest at the back door cannot be ignored.
If you are stung, move away, wash the site and apply a cold pack. For swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheeze or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash, call 999. People with a known allergy should talk to their GP before the wasp season.
A householder who is anxious or has a child with a history of strong reactions should not wait for an incident. A nest that can be seen from a window is close enough to take seriously.
Getting a nest treated
A nest treatment costs a fixed £95 per nest, and any additional nest on the same property is £35 extra. You pay no call-out charge, and the price is stated on the phone before the visit is made. No work is carried out without your agreement. Technicians are trained and fully insured, we work with domestic and commercial customers, and we are open seven days a week with same-day service offered.
To book, ring 0116 214 9259 or use the online booking form on the contact page. Please tell us if someone at the property is allergic to wasp stings. You can also ask whether the empty nest can be removed once treatment is complete.
Wasps on your property in Kegworth?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.