Wasp Nest Treatment

Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00. Saturday and Sunday by arrangement.

A wasp nest in the roof, wall cavity, shed or bush can make your garden unusable and put your family at risk of stings. We treat the nest safely so you do not have to go anywhere near it.

About wasps

Wasp nests start small in spring, when a single queen begins building, and grow quickly through the summer. By late summer a nest can hold thousands of wasps that are more likely to sting. Nests are often hidden under roof tiles, in soffits, wall cavities, lofts, sheds, hedges or the ground.

MSE Pest Control is RSPH Level 2 qualified and a BPCA and NPTA member. We treat wasp nests with professional insecticides, using the right access equipment. We do not kill bees: if it turns out to be bees, we will tell you and advise on your options.

A wasp nest in a loft, from one of our jobs

Nests in lofts and roof spaces

Wasps often build in lofts, eaves, sheds and wall cavities, where a nest can grow large before anyone notices it.

If you see wasps going in and out of the same spot, keep children and pets away from it and don’t try to block the entrance. Give us a call and we’ll treat the nest.

Signs of a wasp nest

A steady stream of wasps flying in and out of one spot, such as a gap under roof tiles, an air brick, a soffit or a hole in the ground
A papery, grey-brown nest in the loft, shed, garage, hedge, bird box or compost bin
Wasps appearing indoors, often near a loft hatch, window, light fitting or chimney breast
More wasps than usual around bins, food and drinks in the garden, especially from mid to late summer
A chewing or crackling sound from inside a wall or ceiling
Wasps scraping wood from fences, sheds or garden furniture to build their nest

How we treat wasp nests

We confirm it is a wasp nest. We do not kill bees; if it is bees we will advise on the options, such as a local beekeeper for a honeybee swarm or leaving a bumblebee nest to run its course
We work out the safest way to reach the nest entrance, using the right access equipment
We treat the nest with a professional insecticide applied at or into the nest entrance
Activity normally drops off over the following hours to a day as returning wasps carry the treatment into the nest
Old nests are not reused, so a treated nest can usually be left in place. If it needs taking down, for example inside a living space, we will discuss it with you

Risks and why it matters

Stings: wasps can sting repeatedly, and a disturbed nest can lead to many stings at once. This is a particular concern for children, older people and pets.
Allergic reactions: for some people a sting can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If someone has difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat after a sting, call 999.
Nests near doors, windows, play areas or busy paths increase the chance of stings for your household, visitors and customers.
Businesses: wasps around outdoor seating and entrances are a sting risk for staff and customers.

Identifying wasps

Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and German wasp (Vespula germanica): the two wasps behind most nests. Bright yellow and black, about 12 to 17mm long, with a narrow waist and little hair. They look almost identical and are treated the same way.
European hornet (Vespa crabro): larger (up to about 3cm), brown and yellow, and usually less aggressive than wasps unless disturbed.
Asian hornet (Vespa velutina): an invasive species not established in the UK. Dark, with a mostly black abdomen, one yellow-orange band and yellow-tipped legs. If you think you have seen one, report it through the Asian Hornet Watch app.
Bees, not wasps: honeybees, bumblebees and solitary bees are hairier and often browner. Tree bumblebees often nest in bird boxes in spring and leave by mid-summer.

Wasp nest in a garden, from one of our jobs

A wasp on a garden fence

What to expect

Call us and describe where the nest is and how high up. A photo helps.

We book a visit, confirm it is wasps and agree the treatment with you.

Keep children and pets away from the nest entrance for the rest of the day while the treatment works. Do not block the entrance.

Call us if activity is still high after a couple of days and we will advise.

Preparing for your visit

Note where the wasps are going in and out, and take a photo from a safe distance if you can
Keep windows near the nest closed and keep children and pets indoors or away from the area
Clear access to the area near the nest, including the loft hatch if the nest is in the roof space
Do not spray, block or try to knock down the nest yourself before we arrive

Prevention tips

Check sheds, garages, lofts, bird boxes and eaves in spring, when new nests are small
Seal gaps in soffits, fascias, air bricks and around roof tiles where you can safely do so
Keep bins tightly closed and rinse food and drink containers before recycling
Cover food and drinks when eating outside and clear up quickly afterwards
Pick up fallen fruit in late summer, as it attracts wasps
Keep doors and windows near a known nest closed, or fit fly screens

Seasonal notes

Nests are built from spring and grow through June to August. Most calls come from mid-summer to September, when nests are largest and wasps most likely to sting. Wasps can stay active into October in mild weather. The old nest dies off over winter and is not reused.