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Wasps

Wasps deliver a nasty sting which can be serious if you're allergic to them. If you notice many in your home, chances are they have a nest nearby. Learn how to deal with these annoying guests by reading the following FAQ's.

Choose from the following list to find the advice you're looking for:

How do I identify a wasp?

The common wasp is classified as an insect. They measure about 1.6cm long and have a yellow/black body colour. Two species of wasp are found locally - 'common wasps' and 'German wasps' - both are known for their sting. Wasps are beneficial to the environment as they control other small pests and clear away dead insects, but when they stray too close to human habitats they can be a dangerous nuisance and must be controlled.

Wasps live in colonies that form self-contained communities, each following a caste order of queens, males and workers. The only wasps that survive the winter are young fertilised queens. They emerge from hibernation in the spring to build new nests. Initially the queen lays 10-20 eggs and when they hatch into larvae she feeds them until they become workers. The workers then forage for food, feed the new larvae and defend the nest. By the end of the season a nest may contain thousands of these workers. In late summer, the colony produces males and new queens. They fly away to mate and the queens then find a place to hibernate. The cold weather eventually kills the males, workers and foundation queen.

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Where do wasps live?

These insects are common throughout Europe. Their nests can normally be found in holes in the ground or inside hollow trees. Unfortunately for us, wasps feel equally at home in a garden shed, wall cavities, eaves and roofs.

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What do wasps eat?

The types of food favoured by wasps are fruit and nectar, insects and dustbin waste. All wasps feed their young on meat such as insect larvae. The wings of their prey are chewed off by the workers into round food balls which are carried home to the larvae. The workers themselves (females with underdeveloped reproductive organs) feed on liquids.

Although wasps are fond of sweet things, they don't have the nectar sucking mouth parts of bees. They will attempt to invade bee nests to steal their honey, and are nevertheless prone to drinking nectar from flowers and the juices of ripe fruit using their short tongues. An interesting fact is that wasps are fed by their larvae - in exchange for meat, the larvae regurgitate a sugary liquid eaten by the workers. Towards the end of the summer, when the larvae have reached maturity, the workers turn their attention to fruit, jam and other sweet substances, which is why they become a nuisance to people at this time.

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How do I know if I have a wasp problem?

Unusually large numbers of wasps around your home are an indicator of a wasp nest in close vicinity.

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Are wasps harmful?

Yes. Wasps can give you a nasty sting, and unlike bees they sting more than once. For a minority of people the venom in their sting causes anaphylactic shock which can be fatal, so it's important to seek medical help immediately if you experience giddiness, nausea, unusual swelling or extreme pain.

A wasp uses its sting for killing prey, but it also uses it effectively for defending itself. The sting has associated glands which produce venom, but as it's in small amounts it doesn't normally cause extreme harm. A sting in the mouth or on the neck can be serious, as this causes swelling which could make it difficult to breathe. An ordinary sting can be treated with ammonia, alcohol or cold poultices, followed by antihistamine ointment.

Because the venom in wasps contains a pheromone that causes other wasps to become more aggressive, it's not advisable to swat one near its nest.

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How can I prevent wasps in my home?

The following measures act as deterrents:

  • Ensure dustbins have tight-fitting lids
  • Cover food
  • Don't let scraps build up around your sink
  • Clear fallen fruit from your garden
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How do I get rid of wasps in my home?

The venom of the wasp contains a pheromone which acts as an alarm causing other wasps to become more aggressive when a wasp has stung something or been killed. This means it's not advisable to swat a wasp near its nest or attempt to remove the nest yourself.

If you decide to tackle the problem yourself, ensure you wear protective clothing. There are powders and sprays available for flying insects from local DIY shops. Dealing with a wasp nest is more difficult - while a number of products are available on the market you must consider the risk of being stung and also the difficulties that may be encountered in accessing the nest. If you're allergic to wasp stings or simply prefer not to tackle the problem yourself, contact a professional pest controller.

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Does the council remove wasps for free?

In most cases, your local council provides pest control services for a variety of insect pests. Each council has their own policy as to how they deal with pest removal, but recent surveys have shown that only 1 out of 14 councils offer a free waste removal service.

You will need to make contact with the Environmental Health Department of your local council to report the problem and find out what applies in your area. It's important to note that councils don't provide a set timescale for their pest control service, which can be a problem if your rat infestation is serious. The following link offers a Directory of Local Councils.

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How much does it cost to remove wasps professionally?

When looking for a professional removal of your wasp infestation, it's a good idea to bear in mind that not all services offer a fixed and convenient time for solving the problem.

  • Local Authority (excluding free service): £26 - £68
  • Private Firms: £40 - £71
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