If
you’ve recognised lots of wasps and you’re concerned about being stung, we’ve
put together a guide to getting rid of pesky wasps and why it is worth leaving
it to the professionals.
Pest
controllers get countless call-outs to treat for wasps every single year - so
if you’re having wasp issues, you’re certainly not alone! Regardless if you are
thinking about doing some DIY wasp pest control, or you’re looking to enlist
the help of a professional pest management company, this blog is here to help
you.
Wasp removal
Wasps
are pretty much as unpleasant as insects come. Angry, organised and fiercely
territorial, social wasps (ones that build nests and live in colonies) are
rarely a welcome sight on your property. When wasps are out in full force and
call for pest control to deal with infestations are at a high. For reasons we
won’t be able to fathom, people continue to tackle wasps’ nests on their own
for a variety of reasons which will inevitably leave them with a few stings or
even worse.
What not to do when you discover a wasps’ nest
Set fire
to the nest
In
some kind of defence of all the anti-wasp pyromaniacs out there, setting fire
to a nest will very likely destroy it. Nests are created using wood pulp that
is chewed up by wasps and packed together with their saliva. Unsurprisingly,
this makes the structure very flammable.
Moreover,
even if the hive goes up in smoke within a few minutes, it’s not possible to
eradicate all the insects. Those very few precious seconds between the nest
being whole and a pile of smokey embers will be filled with wasps streaming
into the air looking for someone to attack. It's quite often the case that this
will be the person holding the matches.
The added danger element in this situation is
that fire spreads so quickly and is difficult to control it. We don’t advise
this method under any circumstances, but it’s particularly ill-advised if the
nest is attached to or inside your home.
Soak it
with water
Lots
of websites seem to advocate dowsing wasps’ nests in water. With sufficient
water pressure, you will be able to most certainly destroy the nest itself.
But, whilst this is true that wasps absolutely will drown if submerged, it
takes a while longer than you might have expected to kill the occupants. In
turn, with this pest control method, you’ll have a lot of angry, wet wasps come
out of the nest ready to defend themselves.
For
a more effective version of this, wait until night when wasps are less active
and use a combination of water and dish soap. The mixture will coat their wings
and suffocate them.
Beat it
with an object
This
is a move considered so spectacularly bad idea where no doubt lots of us see a
wasp nest that lampooned in film and television. A wasps’ nest (or indeed the
nest of any stinging insect) is dangerous, and should not be treated like a
piñata. This method might destroy the nest if you manage to get a single, hard
swing at it, but we can assure you, you won’t be afforded the luxury of another
attempt. It’ll also leave the vast majority of the wasps intact and enraged -
you must be very careful.
Seal up
the entrance
Wasps
are smart and very tenacious. If you take it upon yourself to block off the
entrance to the nest they will very quickly choose a new exit point and chew
through it. If you’re unfortunate enough to have the nest in your home, this
may well include chewing directly through walls. Not only does this cause
obvious damage but it puts you at risk of an extreme response and an attack.
When to leave a nest alone
If
you notice a significant increase in the number of wasps milling about your
property, but discover the nest itself is some distance from where you or your
family congregate, sometimes the best course of action is to simply leave
alone.
The
argument that wasps are “useless” insects with no environmental benefit simply
is not the case. Because wasps target many plant-destroying bugs, they can
serve as natural pest control. They also play an important role in pollination.
Though their bodies are less efficient than bees for transporting pollen, their
contribution cannot be ignored, it’s estimated that hundreds of plant species
would become extinct without wasps.
When it’s Time to Call Pest Control
Someone
has an allergy
If
you or anyone else that spends time in the vicinity of the wasps’ nest happens
to be allergic to stings, call pest control ASAP. A severe reaction to wasps
can kill in a very short period and it’s not worth the risk of tackling the
nest yourself or leaving it alone.
It’s
attached to the inside your home
As
we have already said, wasps are very territorial creatures. When your home
becomes their home, they’ll think nothing of defending it against “intruders,”
which means you’re at risk of wasp stings. They can also be destructive. The
longer a nest is allowed to grow inside a home the more damage it will cause
and the harder it will be to eventually remove it.
It’s
impacting your lifestyle
What's
more, you’re the only one that can make this decision. If the presence of a
wasps’ nest is ruining your life and the joy of your outdoor space and you’re
having to make major adjustments to accommodate them, it may be time to call in
professional pest control.
Reasons why you should hire a professional
Using
the services of a professional is essential for your safety and wellbeing, here
are a few more reasons you should use a professional wasp removal service:
●They will be aware of where wasps are most likely to build nests
on your property and can provide recommendations to control the wasp
population.
●They are aware of which wasp species are very aggressive and
which species are more docile and less threatening. Based on this information,
they can help you decide what should be done to alleviate the wasp problem.
●They will help you with any questions and provide advice and
recommendations regarding the use of traps or other wasp control methods.
●They will advise you on how to manage waste products that are
attractive to wasps.
●They possess the proper equipment and products to control wasps
in a safe and impactful manner without endangering people or any pets.
Mr Wasp - wasp, bees and hornets removal in
Cardiff and South Wales
Here
at Mr Wasp
, we understand how bees, wasps and hornets can
affect your home or business, which is why some many customers look to us for
professional and reliable pest control in Cardiff. Across South Wales, we have
gained a reputation for our work, following industry guidelines and catering
our services to suit your needs and situation.
By
using our pest control services in Cardiff, we’ll get started on the job as
soon as we can, with our 24/7 call-outs. Fear not, we are well placed to get to
your address in the fastest possible time so please call us
the second you spot a potential problem. With
luck, our Cardiff pest control experts can perhaps deal with the problem before
you open for business!
