Can You Remove a Wasp Nest Yourself? Advice for Stoughton Homeowners
Many people try to deal with a nest themselves because they are unsure what a professional visit involves, so this walks through the booking and the visit from start to finish.
Why people hesitate to book
People often put off calling a professional for reasons that are easy to understand. They worry about the cost, imagine a long appointment, or assume they will have to prepare the house in some elaborate way. Some feel that a wasp nest is not serious enough to justify a call. So they reach for a ladder and a can instead.
If you are in Stoughton, in Leicestershire, and that sounds familiar, it may help to see exactly how the process works. Once you know it is simple, straightforward and priced up front, the home attempt tends to lose its appeal.
There is another reason for delay: embarrassment. Some people feel they should be able to cope with a wasp nest, and they hold off calling until the problem has grown. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. A trained technician simply has the experience and insurance that a householder does not.
The phone call or form
The first step takes a few minutes. You can phone 0116 214 9259 or complete the booking form on the contact page. We ask where the property is, where the wasps are going in, roughly how high it is and whether anyone in the household is allergic to stings. If you have taken photographs from a distance, they are useful, but they are not required.
You are told the price on the phone before anyone visits. The figure is £95 for the nest, plus £35 for every extra nest found at the same address. No call-out charge is added. Nothing proceeds unless you agree, so you are never committed by asking a question. We are open seven days a week, and same-day service is offered.
If you are not sure about any of the details, say so. A rough description such as the left-hand side of the back wall, just under the roof, is plenty to start with, and the technician can confirm the rest when they arrive.
The same applies if you are not certain it is wasps. Describe what you have seen, and we will say whether it sounds like our work. We treat wasps, not bees or hornets, so if the insects seem to be bumblebees or honeybees, a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation is the right contact.
Getting ready before the technician arrives
Preparation is minimal, and most of it is about keeping people and pets safe. A few sensible steps:
- Keep children and pets indoors or well away from the area where the nest is.
- Close windows on the side of the house nearest the nest.
- Move cars, bikes, washing and garden furniture away from the wall or hedge if you can do so without going near it.
- Make sure the technician can reach the area, for example by unlocking a side gate.
- Make a note of anything you want to ask.
Do not try to pre-treat the nest, block the hole or clear vegetation around it. The technician needs to see it as it is.
If you have a gate that sticks, a dog that barks at strangers or a neighbour whose access is needed, sort those details out beforehand and tell us when you book. Small things like these can save time on the day.
When the technician arrives
The people who attend are trained, and the work is fully insured. On arrival they will say hello, confirm the agreed price and look at the situation, usually from a safe distance first. They will ask where you have seen the wasps and which areas you want kept clear, then carry out the treatment as agreed.
You do not need to stand next to them or watch. In fact, it is best if you stay indoors, with windows closed, until they let you know they have finished. Wasps near the nest can be unsettled while the work is carried out, and the technician will want to concentrate.
If there is more than one nest on the property, mention it. Any further nest is the same additional price, and it is much simpler to deal with them in one visit.
Try to be around, or have someone available, at the agreed time so the technician can get access without delay. If you cannot be there, say so when you book and agree how access will be handled.
Questions to ask on the day
The visit is a good opportunity to ask about the practical things that people tend to wonder about afterwards. Examples include whether the empty nest can be taken down, whether there is a gap that is likely to attract wasps again next spring, and what you should do if you see wasps in the days that follow.
It is also the time to raise any concerns about children, pets or an allergy at home, so the technician can explain what to do around the treated area. Ask as many questions as you like. They deal with this every day and are used to people who are nervous about stings.
For general upkeep, it is worth checking the outside of the building each spring from late April for early signs of a new nest.
After the visit
Once the work is finished, the technician will tell you when it is safe to go back to the area. Follow their advice rather than guessing. It is normal to see a few wasps for a short time near the site, and you should keep your distance while that continues.
If a sting happens at any point, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and use a cold pack. Call 999 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash.
Compared with a home attempt, the professional visit gives you a calm, priced and insured way of solving the problem, and it leaves you free to enjoy the garden again.
Keep an eye on the area from a distance over the following days. If you see a lot of wasps still going to the same spot, or a new entrance appears, tell us and mention what you observed.
Wasps on your property in Stoughton?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.