Wasp nests are a common problem for homeowners, especially through the warmer months. Wasps play a useful part in the garden, but they defend their nests, and a sting can be painful. If you have found a nest, the most important thing you can do is stay calm and stay clear.
Step 1: Keep a Safe Distance
Once you spot a nest, don't go closer to look. Wasps that feel threatened will defend the nest, and vibrations, sudden movement and loud noise can all put them on alert. Keep children and pets away from the area, and let others in the household know where the nest is.
Step 2: Work Out What Kind of Nest It Is
The type of nest tells you a lot about what you are dealing with:
- Open, umbrella-shaped comb hanging from an eave, beam or branch is usually a paper wasp nest.
- Mud tubes or lumps on a wall, shed or under an eave belong to mud daubers, which are solitary and generally calm.
- A hole in the ground or a wall with a steady stream of yellow-and-black wasps may be a European wasp nest.
If you can take a photo safely from a distance, it can help us identify the wasp.
Step 3: Avoid the Common Mistakes
Some well-meant reactions make things worse:
- Don't knock, hit or throw things at the nest. This makes wasps defensive.
- Don't block the entrance. Wasps can chew through plasterboard or find another way into your home.
- Don't spray at the nest from a ladder. It is easy to lose balance, and wasps that have been disturbed can respond quickly.
- Don't light fires or smoke near a nest. It is a hazard to your home and rarely works.
Step 4: Reduce What Attracts Wasps
While you wait for help, tidy anything that draws wasps to the area. Keep bins closed, clear fallen fruit, cover sweet drinks and food outdoors, and put pet food away after meals.
Step 5: Call a Wasp Nest Removal Team
Nests in roof spaces, wall cavities, the ground or at height should never be tackled by the homeowner. A removal team has the equipment, protective clothing and knowledge to locate the nest, treat it and remove it safely.
Target Wasp Removal removes wasp nests at homes and businesses across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. Call 0416 540 315 or send the quote form for a clear written quote after inspection.
What to Do If Someone Is Stung
Move away from the nest. Wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold pack to reduce swelling. If the person feels unwell - especially with swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing or dizziness - call 000 or seek medical help immediately.