In this article about DIY wasp nest removal, we will share with you some insights about these buzzing insects and how to safely remove a wasp nest from your North London home.
About Wasps & DIY Wasp Nest Removal
WASPS in the UK are mainly classed as Common wasps (Vespula vulgaris) or German wasps (Vespula germanica).
These two species are almost identical, but you can tell them apart by their facial and thorax markings. The Common wasp generally has an ‘anchor’ shaped black marking on the front of their face, while the German wasp have either an incomplete version of this, or three distinctive black dots on yellow.
Both are yellow and black striped and are known for their painful stings which can cause allergic and sometimes dangerous reactions. Often seen as aggressive, the wasp will only attack when threatened but it tends to emit a distress pheromone which can make other members of its colony highly defensive and more prone to sting, especially if the nest is seen to be under threat. Comparatively the German wasp is one of the more aggressive species in the UK. Both are capable of multiple stings.
Wasps are dangerous because they are territorial and aggressive and will attack with their long stinger. Wasps, unlike bees, can use their stinger many times. When someone or something comes close to a wasp nest, the wasps attack to keep the invader out. If someone in your household is allergic to wasp stings, the venom from the sting may cause a severe reaction, which may require that person to seek medical attention immediately.
Wasps, however, play an essential role in the ecosystem. Because the adults eat nectar, they contribute to plant pollination. Some wasps are, in fact, essential partners for native orchids. Their roles as predators and parasites are equally significant. Spiders, caterpillars, beetle grubs, and various other insects are eaten by wasp larvae.
Identifying a wasp nest in your North London home
Wasps make their nests from chewed wood pulp and saliva, giving them distinctive papery walls.
Nests are usually built in sheltered spots with easy access to the outside. You can often find wasp nests in wall cavities, ceilings, roof spaces, under eaves, tiles, sheds or garages.
To locate a nest, carefully watch the flight path of the returning wasps, this becomes easier later in the summer as the numbers of wasps increase.
In some instances, the wasp nest is so well hidden that it’s not possible to see it.
Removing a wasp nest yourself can be risky, especially if you’re allergic to stings or the nest is large or difficult to reach. However, if you’re determined to tackle it yourself, here’s some information to note:
Don’t Agitate: Never hit, poke, or throw things at the nest. This will anger the wasps and make them more likely to sting.
Avoid Getting Close: There are numerous DIY wasp nest removal suggestions on how to remove a wasp nest, such as taking a black plastic bag or plastic container and covering the nest. We recommend avoiding getting close to a wasp nest, as this behaviour will make the wasps feel threatened and lead them to protect their nest by attacking you. Certain wasps, like the German wasps and Common wasps will immediately swarm and sting you repeatedly.
Identification: in peak season, pest professionals will routinely get called out for wasp nests, and on arrival locating and identifying bees instead of wasps.
If you’re unsure if it’s a wasp nest, it’s best to call a professional for identification and removal as bees are valuable to our ecosystem and should not be harmed.
Caution:if you do notice wasps inside your home, don’t try to seal the nest inside the wall in the hopes that they would die off. They’ll get through vents or eat through drywall to get out. Some DIY methods say that it’s best to attempt to destroy a wasp nest at night when they’re least active, which is not advised.
DIY Wasp nest removal myths
- Burning a wasp nest
Burning a wasp nest is a dangerous and ineffective method of wasp nest removal for several reasons:
- Safety Hazard: Wasp nests are made of papery material that can be flammable. Burning a nest near your house, trees, or other structures poses a serious fire risk.
- Ineffective Removal: While some of the nest might burn, it’s unlikely to destroy the entire structure, especially the inner chambers. This leaves wasps alive and agitated, increasing the risk of stings.
- Angry Wasps: The smoke and flames will likely anger the wasps, making them more aggressive and likely to sting anyone nearby.
- Water
While water might seem like a simple solution to get rid of a wasp nest, it’s actually not very effective and can be risky. Here’s why:
- Limited Effectiveness: Water won’t kill all the wasps, especially those deeper inside the nest. Soaking the nest might only anger the wasps and make them more likely to sting.
- Wasp Survival: Wasps can survive being wet for a short period. Once the nest dries out, they’ll be back and potentially more aggressive.
- Water Damage: If the nest is located inside your house or on your property, using a lot of water can cause water damage to ceilings and wall cavities.
- The Broom
While a broom might seem like a handy tool to knock down a wasp nest, it’s generally not recommended. Here’s why:
- Risk of Agitation: The act of sweeping the nest will disturb the wasps and provoke them to sting. Getting too close to the nest with a broom puts you at risk of multiple stings.
- Ineffective Removal: A broom likely won’t destroy the entire nest, especially the inner chambers where wasps reside. This leaves behind angry wasps and an incomplete job.
- Potential for Falling Debris: Knocking down the nest with a broom could scatter wasps and debris, making it harder to escape stings and creating a bigger mess to clean up.
- Expanding Foam
Expanding foam is not a recommended method for wasp nest removal. Here’s why:
- Ineffective: The foam might block the entrance, but it likely won’t kill all the wasps inside. Trapped wasps can chew through the foam to escape, and become even more agitated in the process.
- Angered Wasps: Blocking the entrance will anger the wasps and make them more likely to sting if they find another way out, like coming into your house.
- Difficult Removal: Once the foam hardens, removing the nest becomes more difficult and requires scraping or tearing the foam off, which could further disturb the wasps. If you do call out a pest control professional, they may not be able to find an access point to remove the nest.
Here are some of the best ways to protect your North London home from wasps
- Inspect Every Entry Point
Wasps will most likely enter your home through a little gap unless you leave your doors and windows open without a screen. Examine your loft, eaves, the mortar between your brickwork, the beams and supports in your garage, and the areas around your home’s vents if you’ve observed wasps interior. Seal any cracks or gaps with cement, or the appropriate sealant, once you’ve found their access points.
- Keep Food Waste and Bins Covered
Wasp problems are more common in gardens with a lot of food sources, such as uncovered rubbish, recycling bins, and composting food waste. Make sure your waste bin lids are securely and tightly sealed.
The Best Way to Get Rid of Wasps & Their Nest?
Getting rid of wasps can be a bit challenging since they pose a danger when done improperly. Prevention is often the best form of control to stop wasps from building nests in the first place, which may be accomplished with proper home maintenance and effective wasp deterrents.
Call a Pest Control Expert
By now, you’re hopefully starting to realise that DIY methods of removing a wasp nest are not recommended. This could cause serious damage to yourself or your property, particularly if the nest is in a place that isn’t easily accessible such as in your loft.
It might be easier to contact us at Sparta Pest Control for your wasp nest removal in North London. We’ve got both the right equipment and the experience to deal with your wasp nest effectively.
