In the UK, there is a number of different types of wasps, each one having a unique life cycle. Having a good understanding of the different types of wasps is crucial to wasp nest removal costs and best practices.
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Common types of wasps
Social and solitary types of wasps are notably the two primary types of wasps seen in the UK. During the peak of summer season, social wasps live together, with wasp nest population being as low as 5,000 to as high as 10,000. In contrast, to what the name indicates, wasps are normally loners.
Solitary Wasps
This type of wasps rarely pose any danger to humans and It is even hard to notice, as its habitants prefer to live mainly in four different places:
- Tiny nests: Wasps tend to create their own nests by using either wood or mud.
- Abandoned holes: Wholes created by other pests.
- Bodies of caterpillars and other common preys: Solitary wasps use stings to paralyze and kill certain preys in order to lay eggs inside their prey body.
- Underground tunnels: These nests made by the wasps, can end up causing trouble, in case you have the habit of walking in your garden barefooted.
Social Wasps
Social wasps usually cause different type of problems to the human population and can, at times, be overpopulated causing even more serious trouble. They form cellulose by mixing saliva with wood scrapings, papers or cardboards, these wasp nests are built on roof, walls, trees, house eaves, attics etc. The most common types are: paper wasps, mud daubers, yellow jackets, hornets, and umbrella wasps.
You do not need to worry too much about social wasp nests though, as this is only a temporary inconvenience. This is because the colonies change location after the end of the spring and summer season. Then the wasp nests are abandoned during early autumn or late summer, and when this happens, you can simply use a broom stick to knock down the nests.
Wasp nest removal
Wasps can be a problem towards the end of summer when their nests are at their largest and they become particularly aggressive. Wasps can attack in large numbers when they feel disturbed or threatened and are able to sting repeatedly – this is particularly dangerous for those allergic to their venom. In such instances it is recommended that you get rid of a wasps nest.
Here are some wasp nest removal tips and information about how to get rid of them from your home or garden.
How to get rid of wasp nests
To get rid of wasps, there is no need to remove the nest itself but instead you need to treat it along with the nesting wasps. It would be more beneficial to you and your family if you arranged for professional wasp treatment instead of treating it yourself, in order to reduce the risk of stings. This is the most effective way to deal with wasp nests and get rid of them for good!
Do not underestimate the importance of and skill required in getting rid of wasp nests. Worker wasps, which leave the nest for long periods of time to forage, are typically between 10-15mm long while a queen is larger, at around 20mm. Queens hibernate over winter but then venture out to make nests out of scrapings of wood and saliva in which to lay eggs – at their largest one nest can produce around 30,000 wasps!
Where to wasps nest?
Typical locations for wasp nests include roof spaces, lofts, sheds, wall cavities, trees, bird boxes, garages and holes in the ground. Once you notice that you need to get rid of wasps urgently, you can benefit from:
- Expert advice that will safely remove the wasp threat from that location.
- Minimising the chance of you and your family from getting stung by a wasp.
- Professionals who know how to get rid of a wasps nest at reasonable rates.
DIY wasp nest removal advice
Destroying a wasp nest in a bush or shrub
- If you are dealing with a nest located in a shrub or bush, watch and spot the entry and exist points of the wasps first.
- Then, stand around 15 feet away from the nest and use a good powdered insecticide with a view to blocking the exit point carefully.
- Use the insecticide in other areas too for maximum effect.
Wasp nest removal ground tips
Nests that are located on the ground require no special attention. You can just puff the tunnel with a good powder insecticide, and leave it there.
Wasp nest removal eaves
Wasp nests located near eaves are very common, and dealing with such nests can be tricky. Often, treatment needs to be done from the roof space interior, and loft light needs to be turned off too for ensuring safety. You may utilize a torch of course, but never directly point the beam on the nest, as wasps can follow the illuminated route.
- Powder insecticide is the best bet.
- The best option is to contact a wasp pest control agency having good reputation if such a case arises. The decision to spend a little money is much better and wiser than getting stung.
Air brick removal wasp net
Dealing with air bricks is quite frequent too when it comes to wasp nests.
- Considering the under house cavity, a nest may be located inside as much as 6 feet.
- The overall process is not very complicated, and powered insecticide can often do the trick very well.
- For complete and powerful effect, it is best to spray the nest region more than once or twice, as wasps may carry inside the poison from near the entering holes.
- This strategy does not require any special attention.
Day wasp nest removal
Dealing with wasp nests during the day is more preferable, but you can do the same at night too.
- Many people choose the night option, as they need to deal with a lesser number of wasps during night time.
- Spraying powdered insecticide in every hole you see is a good strategy, because wasps can often use a hole if it is kept unsprayed.
Wasp nests that are found in places far above the ground, or near voids of roof need to be taken care of by professional experts only. The reason is that, such cases often demand special instruments and smart strategies. Other than that, wasp suits and certain additional safety measures are vital too.
How wasp exterminator services work
Upon locating a wasp nest, some people do attempt to remove it themselves using a domestic spray or powder. Dealing with wasps’ nests yourself can be extremely dangerous, only attempt this if the nest is small and not in an awkward position – never try to get rid of a nest you have to access via a ladder and definitely never try this if you are allergic to wasp venom.
It is always safer to get a pest control professional for wasp nest removal; they will have the protective clothing and expertise to deal with nests and will know which insecticides to use. During a summer a wasp nest can grow rapidly and a mature wasp colony in a loft, for example, may contain as many as 6,000 individual wasps. A wasp nest of this size requires professional treatment, carried out by a qualified pest control technician.
Such a technician is the best person as they are likely to wear the correct protective clothing and eye wear, apply a strong, suitable insecticide and securely remove the nest from the property.
Maintenance – How to get rid of wasps naturally
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During summer you may get the odd wasp in your home looking for sweet foods, in which case there are some simple ways to get rid of them:
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Keep your windows and doors closed – this can be difficult in the height of summer, so consider installing window screens
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Trap and bait wasps – fill a jam jar or half a plastic bottle with some bait; jam and water works well. Place some paper over the top with small holes in for the wasps to enter; once they’re in they’ll get trapped in the bait and drown
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Use a spray – individual wasps can be killed with a wasp spray
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Keep your bins covered – so that you don’t attract wasps, the same goes for covering food and drinks
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Look after fruit trees – if you have fruit trees in your garden, make sure that you pick ripe fruit regularly and clear up any windfalls.
Wasp nest removal cost
The cost of getting a wasp nest professionally removed will vary depending on where you live, who you hire, how big the nest is and where it’s located. Prices for wasp removal will also depend on whether you hire a private pest control service or use a local council service:
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Private wasp control costs ranges from £45 to £90 to treat only one wasp nest.
- Extra nets usually get charged from £15 to £20 each.
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Council wasp nest removal costs around £30 to £55, depending on where you live. The council will often subsidise wasp removal costs for those on benefits or those who live in council homes, sometimes up to 50%.
Sources
https://www.waspnestuk.co.uk/Wasp-Nest-Removal-UK/how-to-get-rid-of-wasps.html
https://www.safeguardpestcontrol.co.uk/how-to-find-a-wasps-nest-and-what-to-do-next/
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-do-wasps-do.html
https://www.westernpest.com/pest-control/stinging-insects/wasps/what-attracts-wasps/
https://bpca.org.uk/News-and-Blog/wasp-control-how-to-get-rid-of-wasps-bpca-a-z-of-pests