How to get rid of wasps this spring

How to get rid of wasps this spring. The spring equinox occurs this week and life will begin to stir in the garden. The wasp queen who has hibernated over winter will emerge and seek a spot for her nest. So, this is the time of year when you need to be on the lookout for a large wasp that looks like a hornet. She will be heading for your shed, garage or loft to build her colony for the summer.

Larger Queen wasp

Certainly, if you notice wasps near your home in spring follow their route back to the nest. It is much easier to remove a small nest than a large one. The nest is formed gradually from chewed up wood and saliva. So in spring it will be the size of a golf ball. The nest will house the queen wasp and a small number of workers. By summer the nest can be large enough to home thousands of wasps and will be the size of a football.

Wasp Nest

Dealing with an emerging nest will be easier than an established one. If you have a wasp nest it is advisable tocontact a professional pest control expert. If the nest contains hundreds of wasps you may be in danger of getting seriously stung. Some people are allergic to wasp stings and may go into anaphylactic shock. Therefore, if you are not sure, do not attempt to destroy the nest yourself.  As wasps can sting repeatedly, it is not a good idea to tackle a nest without professional help. It can take as few as 30 to 40 wasp stings to kill you.

Summer

Wasps near food

This insect is a nuisance pest in August and September when the workers have reared their young and can gorge on the fruits we enjoy as humans. Wasps are attracted to anything sweet and can be a nuisance as we take our food outside to enjoy. When you are relaxing in summer wasps really are a pest. However for gardeners they are a friend. They eat pests that would otherwise need chemical treatment such as grubs and caterpillars. If you’re lucky enough to have a big enough space, leave the wasps alone. Once the nest has been abandoned in autumn and the colony has died, only the queen remains ready to hibernate. The nest will be left and will not be reused. A new nest is built every year. Contact Chris at Shawyers if you need help to remove a wasp nest.