When the hot days of summer come, they bring with them friends that are not desired by many: the wasps. Those who dislike the idea of sharing space with them, try to kill and crush them, and this, unfortunately, makes everything worse.
Tips to prevent wasp infestation
Check your home for nests
It’s important to check everywhere in your home or garden for signs of a nest, especially in early spring when the mating and nesting season begins. These nests initially are the size of a golf ball or a walnut that’s usually hanging.
Search in garages, lofts, sheds, under roofs, or in hollow walls. You can also spot a nest by following the loud buzzing sound that the colony emits from the inside of a nest.
Make sure rubbish containers are tightly closed
External waste containers are a common place for this insect to make a nest so make sure your lids are tightly closed. Place containers far enough from doors and windows so that a nest can’t be found or attracted to the contents of the container.
What to do if you see them
If you are seeing this insect frequently it could mean a nest is near you, even if you have not confirmed the presence of a nest, it is vital that you close doors and windows to prevent them from entering your property. A sting can be deadly if allergic to it so keeping your children and pets away from them is very important since this insect attacks anything it deems a threat to its survival. Unlike bees, they do not die after stinging which means they will keep stinging until the intruder leaves their territory
Wear dissuasive clothing
You should know that brightly colored or floral-printed clothing attracts them because it mimics the appearance of a flower, they can appear more curious than usual searching for nectar. So using neutral colors is key to approaching or passing near them unseen.
Eliminate their food sources
In late spring and early summer, wasps feed and grow larvae with high-protein food so you must set aside any food that is available to them, such as animal scraps and even pet food.
In late summer, they begin to like foods with sweet smells, so they identify and venture to where these are. Therefore, they will continue to search in the same place after the food has been exhausted.
Uses herbs to keep wasps away
Use aromatic odors, such as mint, eucalyptus, or thyme. Plant any of these herbs outside, to repel these pests when they come near your home.
Identifying species of wasps
Sometimes people confuse them with bees. Of course, they have differences that you can recognize in plain sight. Generally, bees have exceptional yellow and black colors all over their bodies, while wasps can be seen in a wide variety of yellow, black, and even red colors since there are 9,000 species in the UK that vary in appearance and behavior, with some being more prevalent than others. Here’s a brief overview of the most common wasp species and how to identify them.
The Yellow Jacket is the most widespread species in the UK and is easily recognizable by its distinctive black and yellow stripes. They typically build paper nests in sheltered locations such as trees, bushes, and roof spaces.
The German Wasp has more defined black markings on its face and abdomen. They construct nests in similar locations to the Yellow Jacket but tend to be more aggressive and persistent in their defense of the nest.
While less common than other species, the European Hornet is the largest species found in the UK. They have distinctive yellow and brown markings and build large, enclosed nests in hollow trees, wall cavities, and roof spaces.
How to deal with a nest
We do not encourage you to check yourself since it could prove harmful if you have indeed found a wasp nest. The best thing to do is contact Huntsman Pest Control for a professional inspection of your property to identify the infested area. If you decide to do it yourself the first thing you should do is check thoroughly in every corner inside and outside where you live. Once you have located it, make sure it’s not a honeycomb, this can be distinguished by the fact that they have hexagons, so it is vital to leave them alone. Wasp nests are made of dead wood, which makes them light brown or grey with some spirals in their texture.
As to where you can usually find them, anywhere that you find a crack or a dark space may be ideal for wasps to build their nest. There are examples of these places, like cracks in a building, and garden sheds, which tend to be their favorites since they are not going to be more protected.
Moreover, you can find them under the ground, where basements are. This can be very troublesome. The deafening sound of buzzing is a sure sign of a nest nearby. Check every place around the house where darkness fosters, and you will find it.
Call a professional promptly
Dealing with a wasp infestation can be a daunting task, and attempting to remove a wasp nest on your own can pose serious risks. At Huntsman Pest Control, we understand the dangers associated with wasp infestations and why it’s best to leave the job to professionals. Our technicians have the training and experience to handle wasp infestations safely and effectively. We understand the behavior of wasps and use targeted treatments to eradicate infestations while minimizing environmental impact. With our professional expertise, you can trust that the job will be done right the first time.
Don’t put yourself at risk by attempting to remove a wasp nest on your own. Let us handle the job safely and effectively, so you can enjoy a wasp-free environment without the worry of stings or recurring infestations.
