Wasp Nest in Your Garden Shed? Safe Treatment Options in Markfield
Not every insect colony in a shed is a wasp nest, so a few careful observations can tell you who to call before you spend anything.
Why identification comes first
People often use the word wasp for anything that stings. In a shed, though, you may be dealing with bumblebees, honeybees or wasps, and the right response differs. We treat wasps only, and bees need a different kind of help from a beekeeper or bee organisation.
Getting this right is kind to the insects and saves a wasted call. It is also safer, since the wrong action around any colony risks stings.
If you are unsure, take a clear photograph from a distance and keep it for reference. It may help whoever you speak to.
Hornets, too, are sometimes reported in outbuildings, and they are larger and darker than wasps. We do not treat hornets, so if that is what you think you are seeing, describe it when you ring and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.
Telling them apart from a distance
Keep well back and use binoculars or a phone zoom if you want a closer look.
- Wasps are slim, with a narrow waist, smooth bodies and bold yellow and black bands.
- Bumblebees are round, furry and often noticeably larger, with softer colouring.
- Honeybees are smaller than wasps, brownish and hairy, and often travel in a dense cloud when swarming.
Wasps tend to fly straight and fast to one entrance. Bumblebees wander lazily and may nest in old cushions or in the ground. Honeybee colonies hold wax comb and tend to settle in cavities for the long term.
Size alone is not a reliable guide, since queens are large and workers are smaller. Look at the shape, the colour and the way the insect moves for a better idea.
Behaviour is a clue as well. Wasps are attracted to meat, sweet foods and drinks, and they tend to hover around the bin and the barbecue. Bees are interested in flowers and rarely bother your lunch.
The nest itself, if you can see it
Only look at the nest if it is visible without getting close. A wasp nest is made of grey or beige paper-like material, layered like a rough ball, with a single small opening near the bottom. Bees do not build with paper.
If the colony is in the ground, the entrance is often a plain hole with wasps or bees using it. Bumblebee nests are usually small, with a modest number of insects, while a large wasp nest can contain thousands by late summer.
If you are not sure, ring and describe what you saw. We can say whether it sounds like wasps, and if it sounds like bees, suggest you contact a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation.
Do not try to collect samples. Watching for a few minutes from the house is enough.
If it is wasps
Leave the shed alone, keep children and pets away and arrange treatment. Our fee is a fixed £95 per nest and £35 for an additional nest on the same property, with no call-out charge. The price is confirmed on the phone before the technician visits, and no work happens without your agreement.
We cover Markfield and the surrounding area, seven days a week, with same-day service for domestic and commercial customers. The job is handled by a trained technician under full insurance cover. Ring 0116 214 9259, or use the online booking form on the contact page.
If anyone at home is allergic to stings, tell us when you book.
Before the visit, keep the shed closed and tell us about the building and the position of the entrance. If you have noticed activity in the roof, the floor or the wall, say which.
Wasps that are guarding an entrance can look purposeful and quite calm, but they react sharply to anything that disturbs the nest, so keep back and keep pets and children well away.
If it is bees
Leave them alone as well, and keep your distance. Bumblebees are often only there for a season, and their colonies die off by the end of summer without any intervention. A honeybee swarm or colony may be collected by a local beekeeper, who can advise on options.
We cannot treat bees, hornets or other pests, and we would rather tell you so than waste your time. Describing the insects accurately helps whoever you contact next.
Please note that moving or killing a bee colony yourself is not recommended. Ask the right people for help, and keep clear of it until they arrive.
Colonies of honeybees can be heard as a deep, constant hum from inside a wall, a little different from the drier, rustling sound of wasps. If you can hear a deep hum, mention it to the beekeeper.
Avoiding confusion in future
A little knowledge of the seasons helps. Wasps build from late April, depending on the weather, and numbers rise through summer to a peak in August. If you see large numbers of insects in a shed in the middle of summer, wasps are more likely than bees.
Whatever you find, seal gaps and keep stored items tidy after the colony has been dealt with. It reduces the number of invitations offered to the next queen.
As a rule of thumb, a colony that was not there in spring and is thick with insects by August is likely to be wasps. Honeybees are also seen in spring and early summer, when swarms may arrive at a site.
Notice the number of insects, too. A handful of large, round bumblebees is usually a small colony. Hundreds of smaller insects hurrying in and out suggest something much bigger.
Wasps on your property in Markfield?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.