Wasps, I’m afraid, would have to rank pretty far down my list of favourite insects. I’ve always been scared of them and, yes, I know the old adage that they’re more scared of you than you are of them – but I seriously doubt it. If one even dares to do a drive-by at a picnic or BBQ I’m attending, let’s just say I make it everyone’s problem.
Which is why late summer is proving particularly testing. Wasp populations are reaching their seasonal peak and, right now, my winged enemies seem to be absolutely everywhere. They’re hovering around drinks, gatecrashing garden lunches and generally making themselves impossible to ignore.
But why do wasps suddenly seem so much more noticeable – and aggressive – at this time of year? And, more importantly, what should you actually do if you suspect there’s a nest near your home?
I spoke to pest professionals to find out why wasps appear to be swarming the skies this August, what’s behind their late-summer behaviour and the essential dos and don’ts to follow if you’re unlucky enough to come across a nest.
Why are there more wasps in August? And why are they so aggressive
‘By August, wasp colonies are at or close to their largest and can contain thousands of wasps,’ explains Ricky Young, founder of Young’s Pest Control. ‘Earlier in summer, workers are focused on building the nest and feeding larvae. Later in the season, their behaviour changes and they increasingly search for sugary foods.’ This is why we see more of the wasps as they tend to attempt to hunt for this food, by sponging off ours. Buzzing around fizzy drinks, fruit, ice creams, bins and outdoor meals, AKA all our summertime favourites.
So now we know why there are so many more of them, why do they seem so angry? Wasps are often seen as one of the most furious insects, often greater feared and hated than their bumbling bee cousins despite their similar stinging ability.
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Well, according to Ricky, they’re not angry, they’re just really really hungry. ‘They can appear more aggressive because there are more of them and they’re coming into closer contact with people while searching for food,’ explains Ricky.
He goes on to explain that wasps are highly defensive and territorial creatures, ‘Wasps will also defend their nest if they feel threatened. Disturbing a nest, blocking its entrance or trying to treat it can trigger a defensive response from numerous wasps.’
How to spot a nest
So to avoid angering them, and acquiring a sting or two, Ricky suggests the best first step is to be alert and aware. Wasps tend to attack if they feel their nest is threatened, so it’s key to make sure you know one when you see one.
‘The biggest giveaway is repeated wasp traffic to and from exactly the same point,’ warns Ricky, ‘Look for wasps regularly disappearing under roof tiles, through brickwork, beneath fascia boards, into sheds or through vents. You don’t need to see the nest itself – many are hidden inside roofs or wall cavities.’
Expert’s dos and dont’s if you find a wasps’ nest
So, we know why they’re here, why they seem so angry and how to spot them – but what should you actually do if you find a nest? More often than not, people get stung because they react badly: swatting at wasps, spooking them or attempting to tackle a nest based on instinct alone. None of which is a particularly good idea. Luckily, Ricky has some very clear dos and don’ts to follow if you discover one in or around your home.
DO: stay away
Your first move should be to give the nest plenty of space rather than trying to investigate it up close. ‘Keep your distance, keep children and pets away and observe where the wasps are travelling from somewhere safe. Don’t interfere with the entrance. If it’s causing a problem or is in a high-risk location, contact a qualified pest-control professional,’ says Ricky.
DON’T: mess with it
It may sound obvious, but it’s surprising how many people think dislodging a nest, blocking the entrance or attempting to snuff it out themselves is the best course of action. In reality, interfering with it can make the situation much worse. ‘Never hit or poke the nest or block an active entrance,’ warns Ricky. ‘If a nest is inside the structure of a house, blocking its normal exit can cause wasps to search for another route and potentially emerge inside.’
DON’T: try home remedies
Step away from the boiling kettle – and definitely the petrol can. ‘I would also strongly advise against pouring boiling water, petrol or household chemicals on to a nest,’ Whether you call them old myths or some of the internet’s finest misleading advice, these so-called tricks can disturb the colony and leave you facing a lot of very unhappy wasps.
DON’T: underestimate the nest
A nest may look relatively small from the outside, but that doesn’t mean there are only a handful of wasps inside. ‘People often underestimate how many wasps an established nest contains,’ suggests Ricky. ‘The danger increases considerably if the nest is high up or requires a ladder – you’re combining the risk of multiple stings with the risk of falling. For an established, highly active or difficult-to-access nest, professional treatment is the sensible option.’
DO: seal up future entry points
The best offence is always a good defence, and there are a few simple jobs that can make your home less inviting to wasps in the future. Just make sure you wait until the nest is no longer active before reaching for the sealant. ‘Once old nests are inactive in autumn or winter, check for gaps around rooflines, fascia boards and other potential entry points and repair them where appropriate,’ says Ricky. ‘Keep bins closed and clean up sugary food and drink spills in the summer. And never seal an entrance while wasps are actively using it.’
DO: track their behaviour
Keeping your distance doesn’t mean ignoring them completely. From somewhere safe, pay attention to where the wasps are flying to and from, as this can help identify where a nest is located. What you don’t want to do is simply spray every individual wasp you see and assume the problem is solved. ‘Another mistake is repeatedly spraying individual wasps without identifying where they’re coming from,’ he says. ‘Killing a few workers doesn’t solve an established colony, it just makes them harder to find.’
DO: prioritise high-traffic areas
Not every nest presents the same level of risk. If wasps are regularly crossing paths with you, your family or anyone visiting your home, it deserves more urgent attention – particularly if the nest is close to somewhere you use every day. ‘A nest deserves particular attention when it’s near a doorway, children’s play area or frequently used part of the garden, or when wasps are entering occupied rooms,’ suggests Ricky. ‘Extra caution is essential if someone has a known serious allergy to wasp stings.’
