Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for Kirby Muxloe Gardens
Gaps in brickwork, vents and pipe runs are how wasps reach a wall cavity, and the cold months are the right time to deal with them once the colony has gone.
How wasps get into a wall
A cavity wall can look completely solid from the garden, yet wasps find their way in through openings that seem too small to matter. A queen can squeeze through a gap in mortar, around a pipe, beside a vent or under a loose section of cladding, and then follow the void to a roomy space.
Inside, she builds her paper nest and the colony grows through the summer. When autumn comes, the colony dies and the nest is left behind. For a house in Kirby Muxloe, as for any other, the way in remains long after the wasps themselves are gone.
The danger of acting too early
The instinct, on seeing wasps vanish into a hole, is to plug it straight away. Please do not. If the colony is still active, the wasps inside will search for another route out, and that can lead into a room through a ceiling light, a gap in plaster or a loose floorboard.
The only safe moments to seal an entrance are when the nest has been treated by a technician or when it is cold and clearly lifeless. Even then, give it time and check for activity before closing anything.
If wasps are already coming indoors, keep the door closed to that room, switch off the light, which can attract them, and phone us.
Choose a dry day in winter and walk the perimeter slowly. Look at eye level and also upward, using binoculars if you have them. These are the places that matter most:
- Air bricks and vents with missing or damaged covers.
- Gaps around pipes, cables and meter boxes.
- Mortar that has cracked or fallen out.
- Joints where an extension meets the old wall.
- Gaps beneath window sills and door frames.
- Soffit boards that have shrunk or warped.
Mark each spot with a piece of masking tape so that you can find it again when you have the materials.
Sealing, with ventilation in mind
Walls and roof spaces need airflow, so air bricks should never be blocked solid. The usual approach is to fit fine mesh that lets air pass but keeps insects out. A builder or a good builder’s merchant can advise on what suits your wall.
For cracked mortar, repointing is the proper repair, and it helps with damp as well. Small gaps around pipes can be filled with a suitable sealant. Take care with anything above first-floor level and use a professional where a ladder is needed.
A nest in a cavity cannot normally be reached, and it is not necessary to remove it. The paper degrades and does little harm. Occasionally a stale smell or staining may appear on the inside wall, and if so a builder should look into it.
If the nest is in a spot where it could be taken down, ask the technician at booking whether the empty nest can be removed.
Extensions, porches and the joins between them
Gaps most often open up where one part of a building meets another. A porch roof joined to a main wall, a conservatory abutting brickwork or a garage attached to the house all have joints that move slightly over the years. The sealant cracks, the flashing lifts a little and a narrow slot appears.
These joints are often overlooked because they are tidy from a distance. Look at them closely, preferably with a torch and from the ground. Watch also for staining or discolouration near a join, which can show that moisture or insects have been getting in.
If you find one, record its position and arrange for it to be repaired during dry winter weather. A tradesperson will be able to say whether it needs a flexible sealant, new flashing or something more substantial.
Hearing the wall
In summer, a nest in a cavity can sometimes be heard. On a still day, put your ear near the wall, not touching it, and listen for a low hum or rustle. The sound is stronger in warm weather, when the colony is busiest.
Do not tap the wall or press hard against it. Instead, note the room and the position, then step away. This detail will help in locating the nest from outside. A humming wall is something to mention when you ring, along with any wasps you have seen on the outside.
Most gaps can be handled by a general builder or a competent handyperson. Roofline problems suit a roofer, and a chimney cowl suits a chimney specialist. When you ask for a quote, mention that the work is to keep insects out, as well as any damp or draught issues, so that the right materials are used. Do the work in cold, dry weather, and check for wasp activity at the site on the day.
Keep a short record of each gap you close, with the date and the material used. If wasps are seen near the same area later, you will know where to look first, and a builder can see what has already been done.
If wasps return in spring
Wasps start nesting from late April, depending on how mild the spring is. If you notice them visiting a wall in May, watch from a safe distance and note the exact place. Do not seal it up.
We treat nests for a fixed £95 per nest, with £35 for an additional nest on the same property. No call-out charge applies, and bookings are taken 7 days a week with same-day service offered. You get a trained technician, and the work is fully insured.
We confirm the price by phone ahead of the visit, and no work starts until you agree. Phone 0116 214 9259 or use the online form on the contact page, and tell us about any stinging allergy when you book.
Wasps on your property in Kirby Muxloe?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.