Control
Hastings Borough Council provides a pest control service for the treatment of wasp nests. You can book an appointment using our online form.
Our pest control information and charges page has the fees for all our pest control services.
How to identify them
Social wasps are commonly seen in British gardens. There are several species of wasp in Great Britain. Common wasps have sharp tapered abdomens and are black and yellow striped. The hornet is the largest British wasp. All wasps have a reputation for stinging, however, the needle-like sting is possessed only by females and is concealed near the tip of the abdomen.
How and when nests are built
Queen wasps hibernate over-winter and emerge to build a nest in the spring. The nest will usually be located either in the ground or in cavities in trees, walls or buildings. Frequently wasps will nest in the roof space of a house. The nest is built up from wood pulp, which is moulded into the outer shell of the nest and many internal chambers.
The queen lays an egg in each of the chambers, which hatch into larvae. When fully grown the larvae pupate and emerge as workers who assist in rearing new larvae and new queens. Towards the end of the summer the queen lays a number of eggs which produce male wasps that mate with the new queens.
In Autumn all wasps die with the exception of the new queens that hibernate then emerge to build new nests the following Spring. Please note during this time we are not able to treat any wasp nests - this is generally between the months of November and March.
Old nests are not re-colonised the following year, although a new nest may be established next to an existing nest.
Do I need to get them treated?
Wasps can be useful pollinators and are beneficial in catching and killing garden pests (aphids) to feed to their offspring. If they are not causing you a nuisance it is best to leave them alone. Nests from previous years will not be re-colonised and can be removed.
However, itmay be necessary to treat wasp nests which pose a particular danger to you or your family.
Nests can be treatedalthough care should obviously be taken in doing so. This can be done through the application of insecticidal dust at the entrance to the nest, preferably after dusk when the wasps have returned to the nest and are less active. Wasps will then carry the insecticide into the nest, spreading it to other wasps in the colony. Insecticidal dust is available from most DIY stores and garden centres. You should make sure that the product you buy is specifically intended for wasps. The directions on the product label must always be followed. As old nests are not re-colonised, treated nests need not be removed.
Foraging wasps can be a nuisance when they turn to food sources such as ripe fruit, sugary drinks, jam or honey. Individuals can be killed using an insecticidal spray designed for flying insects. Such sprays are available from chemists, hardware shops, DIY stores and garden centres. Care should be taken when using such sprays and the instructions on the package should always be followed.
Hornets
How to identify them
Hornets are larger than wasps and chestnut-brown and yellow in colour (rather than black and yellow). They are usually found in parks and woodlands but may also be found in domestic gardens.
How and when nests are built
They build papery nests, which are usually found underground or hanging from trees, and can also be found in roof spaces, wall cavities, chimneys and building air-grates.
The hornet life cycle is similar to that of the common wasp. Newly-mated queens hibernate during the winter, and emerge in spring to begin building a nest. They lay eggs that hatch into sterile female workers who complete the nest building and collect food for the developing larvae. Later in the summer males and fertile females hatch, mate and the females become next year's queens. The males, old queen and workers die in the autumn. Old nests are not re-colonised the following year.
Both adults and larvae eat mainly insects and may supplement their diet with tree sap and windfall fruit. They also stock up on nectar before hibernating and can become a problem when they forage for sugary foods such as jam, fruit, etc in the late summer. Hornets, like wasps, only tend to sting if threatened.
FAQs
A recommended method of wasp pest control is to clean up any outdoor area of drink or food and be sure you're not leaving behind easily accessible trash. Reach out to a pest control expert, like Viking Pest, as we have the proper equipment and are trained to properly control wasps.
What do exterminators use to prevent wasps? ›
Termidor is simply the best. Wasps forage constantly for new places to nest in the Spring and places to overwinter in the Fall. Treating the structure with a residual insecticide such as Tempo or Suspend will help protection, and will most likely repel them from attempting to nest.
When should I exterminate wasps? ›
In late summer, the colony population surge leads wasps to search for food, which brings them in contact with humans more often. This is when you'll need to start getting rid of wasps. Sprays can be used to kill individual wasps while they are out searching for food.
When should I start spraying for wasps? ›
Spray in early morning or late evening when insect activity is low. Soak the nest with the spray, and do not stand directly beneath the nest during treatment. Avoid any wasps that fall from the nest after treatment. Never attempt to spray individual wasps, especially when in flight.
What do wasps hate the most? ›
Wasps have a strong sense of smell and dislike certain plants like peppermint, spearmint, basil, eucalyptus, cloves, geranium, thyme, citronella, bay leaves, and lemongrass. They are also repelled by vinegar, cinnamon, coffee grounds, and sliced cucumber.
Does spraying vinegar keep wasps away? ›
Wasps also don't like vinegar. As a wasp deterrent, some people place an equal mix of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. They then spray the wasps to get them away. While this method may be somewhat effective, it's also dangerous.
What month are wasps most aggressive? ›
Wasps become more territorial and aggressive around late summer and early fall as food becomes scarce. So if you're seeing more wasps than before around your home, it might be time to take some precautions!
Will wasps return to a sprayed nest? ›
Most wasps will not return to a sprayed nest. But there is always the chance that a few survivors will return and rebuild their nest. This can be especially true if the nest was not completely destroyed, or if there were two nests close by that were not sprayed at all. Wasps do not have a memory span of a few days.
What time of day are wasps most aggressive? ›
Wasps, like other insects, are at their most active midday when it's warmest outside, and they often return to their homes as night falls. Because of this, stinging insects like wasps tend to be most active while humans are having fun in the great outdoors.
What kills wasps permanently? ›
If you don't want to buy insecticides, you can use soap and water to get rid of small wasp nests. Spray the nests with a solution made from two tablespoons of dish soap and mixed water in a spray bottle. The wasps will die instantaneously as the mixture blocks their breathing pores.
Citrus - Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges can help deter wasps around your yard. Peppermint oil - Peppermint oil is one of the most effective essential oils for keeping wasps away. Citronella - Citronella oil is also effective, as it has a strong citrus smell that wasps do not like.
How do I get rid of wasps forever? ›
It's impossible to remove wasps entirely, so you have to stay vigilant about nest formation. Each spring, check your wall cavities, sheds, and garages for signs of new nests. As soon as you notice them, treat them with store-bought insecticide spray and remove the nest shell. Cover or treat holes.
Will wasps go away on their own? ›
As autumn starts to roll around, the temperatures begin to drop, and wasps start dying. Eventually, the temperatures become too low, and the queen leaves the nest to start its hibernation somewhere underground, or in a crack or crevice it can find nearby.
Where do wasps go at night? ›
Wasps don't fly at night and will be confined to their nest. During this time, they carry out duties such as caring for larvae and making any repairs needed to the nest. If you approach a wasp nest at night, you might be able to hear the noise that larvae make or the worker wasps attending to nest repairs.
Do exterminators spray for wasps? ›
There are multiple treatment types when it comes to wasps, each with its own pros, cons and cost range. This is the most common type of treatment for wasps and likely what you picture when imagining the removal process. An exterminator comes in and sprays the nests and any surrounding areas with aerosol pesticides.
What chemical do wasps hate? ›
Citrus - Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges can help deter wasps around your yard. Peppermint oil - Peppermint oil is one of the most effective essential oils for keeping wasps away. Citronella - Citronella oil is also effective, as it has a strong citrus smell that wasps do not like.
Is there a spray to prevent wasp nests? ›
Clove-Geranium-Lemongrass Oil Blend – A combination of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils has been successful in keeping wasps away. You can spray the mixture in areas where you know wasps might want to build their nests like under eaves, porch roofs, as well as ledges and crevices.
Does permethrin prevent wasps? ›
In short permethrin does appear effective in causing wasps to abandon their nest. At no point did the wasps exhibit aggressive behavior toward me, despite my close proximity to the nest (less than 5 feet).
