wasps

colony & nest treatments

During the spring and summer months, wasps are an annoying, and potentially dangerous, pest.

Warning! Disturbing a wasp or hornets' nest can be very dangerous! Both species release an airborne pheromone when threatened. . . causing all other wasps in the vicinity to become instantly aggressive in defence of their nest and young. Whilst wasp stings are more painful than deadly, in rare cases, people have been known to suffer from life threatening anaphylactic shock.

The Waspman^®, wearing heavy duty protective clothing, treats wasp infestation with specialist chemicals and applicators, anywhere on your property. . . even in hard to reach places.

Go to: Wasp & wasp nest treatment costs

To reduce the risk to you and your family, arrange for a professional Waspman treatment to remove the pests. Our effective solutions will eliminate wasps or hornets, keeping you safe from the threat of stings.

BONUS: MORE ABOUT WASPS & THEIR LIFECYCLE:

There are many different wasp species common to the UK, but the ones encountered most are 'yellow jackets', part of the Vespidae family, which are to be found living in nests with a queen and non-reproducing workers. Unlike bees, who live off their honey, a wasp colony dies off in the winter. . . with the exception of the queen.

When wasp queens emerge in the spring, they are able to self-fertilise eggs with stored sperm in order to produce a new colony.

Wasp's nests are constructed from plant fibre or wood pulp and cemented in place using their own secretions. Varying in size from a small football, up to that of a basketball. . . although these are very rare as most people tend to have wasp nests treated before they get to that size!

Although wasps feed on nectar, they do ocassionally attack bee hives to feed off the honey inside. Later in the year, when semi rotten fruit is available, wasps & hornets become effectively drunk, and are more likely to sting you.

There are wasp killing products available over the counter, but you'll need to get close to the nest to treat it, increasing the likelihood of stings. Alpha would always recommend the services of a professional pest controller using the correct protection and industrial strength products to treat your problem.

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disposal of the nest

To be sure that all occupants of a nest have been exposed to the insecticide, including newly emergent imagos, larvae, eggs. . . and give absent workers time to return and carry the poison deep into the nest, it should be left undisturbed for up to a week after being treated.

Although neither wasps nor hornets will ever re-occupy a treated nest, these structures are unsightly and can become an issue if you are having work carried out in the space, or intend to sell the property. Their nests can also become incorporated into the fabric of your building and should be removed in order to ensure that it is not concealing a structural problem.

During the initial treatment visit, the Waspman^® will quote to completely remove the nest, and dispose of the thousands of dead wasps. As a guide, this will usually be around £40 or £45, depending upon accessibility.

You can, of course, choose to leave the dead nest in situ, or remove and dispose of it yourself. . . but be aware of the health hazards described in the bonus content below.

BONUS: DIY REMOVAL & DISPOSAL OF A DEAD NEST

If you choose to remove the remnants of a treated nest yourself, there are precautions that you should take to keep yourself safe.

Following treatment, the nest will contain a significant quantity of professional grade insecticide powder, which can become airborne as the nest is broken up for removal. For this reason you should ALWAYS wear an approved respirator when handling a treated wasp nest!

Because of this contamination, the nest, whilst composed almost entirely of bio-degradable fibre, is NOT suitable for composting and should be sealed into black bags and disposed of in landfill*. The bodies of the dead insects can be vacuumed up and added to the same contaminated waste bags.

*Check with your local council for their rules regarding biological waste disposal.