Bug Busters Pest Control Wasp removal

How to get rid of wasps

Prevention is key if you want to avoid problems with wasps, especially during the summer months when they are most active.

Prevention is key if you want to avoid problems with wasps, especially during the summer months when they are most active.

When an individual social wasp is disturbed or feels threatened, they release a distress signal as a pheromone to alert their colony.

This alerts the other worker wasps that their nest may be under threat.

The wasps will appear as a mass to defend the nest when threatened and to some this gathering can be mistaken for a ‘swarm’ similar to that produced by honey bees, but in truth wasps do not swarm.

It is always easier to prevent a problem before it happens, rather than to wait for wasps to invade your home or garden.

The fear of a wasp sting can be so great that it can prevent some people from going out into their gardens.

It is recommended not to try get rid of a wasps nest yourself as it can be dangerous, as wasps will become aggressive when defending their nest.

Wasps nests may appear abandoned at the end of summer, but once the young Queen wasps have left the nest to hibernate over winter, the worker wasps will eventually die off as the weather turns colder in the Autumn.

The following Spring the Queen wasps will search for suitable locations or sites to build a new nest.

Quite often a Queen will return to the same area where a nest was built previously, simply because it’s the most suitable place, however she will construct a new nest rather than re-use an old one.

Wasp Prevention Tips

Early treatment of a wasp nest will help to keep you and your family safe from painful stings.

Making changes to your behaviour and how you handle food and drink outdoors can also help to deter this stinging pest.

  • Check for nests – Check your home and garden in early spring for nests, early on they will be walnut or golf ball in size – early small nests have fewer wasps and are easier to treat quickly. Look for nests in lofts, garages, sheds, cavity walls or under eaves.
  • Secure bins – Ensure outside bins have tightly fitting lids. Keep bins at a distance from doors and windows so wasps are not attracted to the contents.
  • Keep windows and doors shut – To prevent wasps entering inside your home.
  • Keep safe – If you have spotted a nest, make sure you keep children and pets away from the area.
  • What you wear – Wearing bright colours or floral patterns will attract wasps as you may look like a flower and they may become curious looking for nectar.
  • Avoid Perfumes – Wasps are more attracted to sweeter smells towards the end of summer. Reduce the amount of strong scents and perfumes.
  • Remove food sources – Wasps are attracted to protein foods at the end of spring and beginning of summer, so remove any food left outside including pet food.
    Towards the end of summer, wasps begin to become attracted by sweet smelling foods. Wasps imprint food sources therefore will continue to search within the same area after food has been removed.
  • Birdhouses – Line the under roof of the birdhouse with aluminium foil or rub the under roof with regular soap (one application of this will last the entire wasp season)
  • Herbs – Wasps do not like aromatic scents; specifically spearmint, thyme, and eucalyptus. Planting these outside can help repels pest wasps.

Using DIY products
If you already have a problem with wasps, there are some DIY products available, including wasp repellents, which may offer some relief.

  • Wait until late evening or night time, when worker and scout wasps have returned to the nest.
  • Always wear protective clothing, goggles, gloves and a dust mask when dealing with a wasps nest, however small it may be.
  • Use a DIY spray specifically designed for treating wasp nests, such as a wasp nest destroyer foam.
  • Carefully read and follow the instructions on the spray can, ensuring you do not stand directly under the nest.
  • Once sprayed, leave the nest for a minimum of 24 hours before careful removal – a wasp nest can be very fragile.
  • Seal the nest in two thick plastic bags (double bagged) and dispose of it in an outside rubbish bin with a secure lid.

A wasp nest should not be removed directly after being professionally treated with insecticide.

It can take several days for foraging worker wasps to return to the nest.

As wasps return and enter the nest they will also be contaminated by the treatment and die off, thus ensuring the whole colony is effectively treated.

You should never try to treat a nest on your own, especially if you think you are allergic to insect stings.

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Reviews

Andrew HAMILTONAndrew HAMILTON
08:53 04 Jan 24
Reliable, experienced, knowledgable, helpful
George PothecaryGeorge Pothecary
14:12 27 Nov 23
Contacted Jane when I found unidentified insects in one room. Sent images via Messages and she swiftly identified them as carpet beetles and advised re action. Today she came to spray the carpet. Impressive service, all done within two days at competitive price. Recommended.
Hayley PerrinsHayley Perrins
20:15 23 Nov 23
Had such difficulty getting anyone to reply, Jane replied almost instantly and came to solve our issue quickly and efficiently. She was professional throughout, organised and well prepared.Many thanks,The Perrins family, and the wasps which are now well and truly gone!
Neal HendesNeal Hendes
17:48 14 Nov 23
Excellent service. I wouldn't hesitate to call Jane if I need pest control in the future.Thankyou
Sarah RichardsSarah Richards
11:10 20 Oct 23
Jane came to deal with the wasps nest within 2 hours of our call great service, fantastic response.
Pippa DrakePippa Drake
16:50 10 Oct 23
I rang Jane on Tuesday morning last week, to ask whether she would be able to visit my mother's house so that I could show her the location of the wasps' nest, and she could then treat it whenever she had time. She happened to be in the area, so she called round an hour later - and treated it there an then. Absolutely brilliant service. Very friendly, professional and efficient.
OliverOliver
11:50 16 Sep 23
I thoroughly recommend Bug Busters, they arrived the same day to deal with a huge hornets nest, gave update texts on arrival time and were friendly, professional and even sent me some photos of the hornets nest afterwards to show the kids.
Carole RedhouseCarole Redhouse
14:43 12 Sep 23
Called on a Saturday and she was out on Sunday morning - treated 2 wasp nests in the ground. Would defo use again should the need arise.
Zoe CakeZoe Cake
10:33 10 Sep 23
Very swift treatment of hornets nest. Profession, quick, polite, clean and tidy. Value for money. Great response time too.
Ben SpracklenBen Spracklen
06:15 28 Aug 23
Quick response from Big Busters, great communication and advice given. Very professional and reliable.
Louise GLouise G
12:27 14 Aug 23
We called Jane last minute on a Sunday, and she was amazing in offering to book us in for a visit the very next day!She kept us informed of what time to expect her and above all was efficient, knowledgeable, and answered all of my many questions!Fingers crossed the bait does the trick for any unwanted visitors in our loft. Many thank and see you for our follow up visit.
John JamesJohn James
21:26 08 Aug 23
Called Jane on Friday about a wasp nest in an awkward and restricted location in our loft/gable end, which she came and and dealt with early on Monday. Friendly and professional approach. Nest dealt with effectively. Happy to recommend.
Kevin OxberryKevin Oxberry
18:14 03 Aug 23
Called Jane at Bug Busters on a Tuesday regarding an issue with wasps in a conifer tree. Booked a visit for the Friday. Jane messaged on Wednesday to say she was able to visit a day earlier on Thursday afternoon. Arrived promptly and quickly identified that there wasn't a nest, just the wasps attracted to the conifer and using it for feeding but dusted the tree anyway to deal with and clear the problem. All done in around 30 minutes.First class professional, friendly service from someone who knows what they are doing and understands what customer service is all about.Highly recommended.
Debs AinsworthDebs Ainsworth
18:02 21 Jul 23
Jane is local, professional, and friendly. She responded quickly to my call and sorted out a wasp nest in an old sofa which had been in our log store for a while, destined for the dumpThe problem was quickly and effectively dealt with, at a very reasonable cost. Would highly recommend
Alexandra BullAlexandra Bull
19:21 29 Jun 23
Really quick response to deal with a wasp nest outside our front door, thank you! Would highly recommend
Bod HarrisBod Harris
18:01 20 Jun 23
Jane from Bug Busters phoned us back almost immediately after leaving messages and was from the beginning extremely calm and reassuring. She was able to visit the house within a few hours and quickly worked out where the infestation was. She dealt with the problem in a calm, competent and professional manner and has booked to return next week to see how things have developed. On the basis of what we have experienced so far I would have no hesitation in recommending this business.
JacquiJacqui
12:31 20 Jun 23
Jane responded really swiftly to our call. She offered good advice regarding our bee nest. Would highly recommend her & will definitely contact her again if we have any further issues.
Sarah JudkinsSarah Judkins
11:12 14 Jun 23
Jane was so lovely and prompt. Put the job on checkatrade for Wasp nest treatment and with half an hour she got back to me. Giving me a rough quote from what I described and her availability. Able to come a couple of hours later. Treated the area and gave me advice of what will happen and how long to give it. Would definitely use again if needed. Thank you
Sarah VileSarah Vile
15:08 10 Jun 23
professional, reliable, open and honest service with excellent immediate effects and lots of helpful tips and advice moving forward - cannot recommend Jane highly enough.
Hrisona NenchevaHrisona Nencheva
20:14 04 Jun 23
Massive thank you to Jane from Bug Busters! We were worried we had a bed bug problem, but thanks to her expert knowledge and help on a Saturday and Sunday it was bird mites. Still not nice, but less horrible. Can't thank her enough for being able to relieve some stress. After sending a photograph she identified the issue. Many thanks again!
Dave SimpsonDave Simpson
17:46 22 May 23
Excellent service from Jane who arrived as expected and was very professional with her knowledge and actions.
Ashlee AbbottAshlee Abbott
15:26 15 May 23
Thank you for your help with my wasp situation Jane. It was so lovely to meet you and I really appreciated your quick response. Also wealth of knowledge shared. Highly recommend.
Daniela HurrionDaniela Hurrion
19:58 23 Dec 22
Jane arrived at my home to deal with a suspected rat presence. She was very knowledgeable and professional and answered all my queries clearly.
Shawn KeysShawn Keys
11:14 29 Aug 22
Replied really quickly to our call. We had a wasp nest at the front of the house in the eaves . Tried to access it via the loft to get the powder in but we had restricted access so had to go in from the front entrance the wasps had mad. She was very honest that the treatment might not work just from spraying the front entrance but that it should be OK. Turned out she was correct and the nest was dead within a day. Great service. Highly recommended
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