As insects, wasps are quite aggressive. It is not uncommon for humans to be stung by wasps even without disturbing their nests.
While wasp bites are not lethal, they can be very painful. Depending on how bad the pain is, you may need to visit a GP/doctor.
Wasps generally appear in the early summer months. So you are more likely to notice their nests around your home at this point. The tell-tale sign is wasps flying around the area.
If you see this – then you have a wasp problem.
Once you know what a wasp nest looks like (see below), you will have no problem spotting one.
The only way to safely remove a wasps nest is to let professionals do it.
Pest control professionals use protective clothing, face masks, hoods etc and use a special chemical based wasp nest treatment to deal with them.
If you attempt to remove a wasps nest yourself, you could end up with multiple stings which can be deadly if you are allergic to wasp stings.
At the very least, wasp stings will give you a sharp pain and possibly a fever.
In this guide we will cover the things you need to know about wasps and the cost for wasp nest removal.
Factors That Affect Wasp Nest Removal Costs
There are several factors that determine the nest removal price (size, location, number of nests etc). So it makes sense to get multiple quotes so you can calculate the average cost of wasp nest removal.
And remember to ask for special deals from the pest control companies that you speak to.
If you stay in an area where you are susceptible to wasp nests each year – such as in the country, then look out for companies who offer subscriptions or memberships. This can save money in the long run.
1. Wasps Nest Location
The location of the wasp nest in terms of both where you stay and where the nest is sited play a role in the price.
For example, if you stay in the city of London, the cost is going to be more expensive when compared to a smaller city such as Dundee. The flip side is, that you will probably have a greater selection of pest control companies in London vs Dundee to chose from.
Likewise, if the wasp nest is located under the roof tiles of a 4th floor building / flat, this will be more costly to deal with, when compared to a nest under the eaves of a bungalow house (due to the height involved – extra equipment, health & safety etc).
2. Wasp Nest Size
The size of the nest will affect the cost. Pest control companies will charge more to remove larger nests as it takes longer.
It also carries a higher risk as there will be more wasps around bigger nests.
3. Number of Nests
It is also common to find multiple wasps nests around a home, garden shed or garage.
As to be expected, the greater the number of nests for the pest controller to deal with, the larger the cost of nest removal will be.
Common Wasp Nest Locations
Wasps nest can appear anywhere in the home. But some spots are more common than others for their nests.
Generally, locations outside your home or places where wasps can access easily from outside are more susceptible.
Here are the most common locations wasps tend to build their nests:
Roof Spaces
It is very common for a wasps nest to appear in roof spaces, such as in the corners of attics (lofts) or under roof tiles.
This is because they can access these areas from outside, and these spaces are not occupied by humans, so they can build their nest in peace.
Removing a wasps nest from roofs can be costly, especially if the roof is at height or if there is poor access into the attic.
A front porch is also a common spot for nests, so if you have a porch check the roof area to ensure that no nests are forming. If they are, get a pest control company in quickly.
Sheds
If you have a shed in your garden, there is a good chance that wasps will find this a good place to build their nest in the spring.
Take precautionary measures by check for the signs of a nest forming and get a local pest removal company to deal with it before the summer comes – when wasps are most active.
If the nest is left alone, expect it to grow into a sizable nest, which will end up costing more to remove.
Reacting early will save money as small nests in sheds, which are often easy to reach, takes less time and effort.
It will also make your shed safe to use, as during the summer is when most people go in and out of their sheds.
Garage
Like garden sheds, garages can also become breeding grounds for wasps.
If you park your car or bike in the garage, having a wasps nest near you is a constant risk.
More importantly, wasps can even find there way into your car and start building nests inside it. For these reasons, it is best to get costs for wasp removal to clear any nests from your garage.
In most cases, garages are reasonably accessible and do not have very high roofs. So it is unlikely that the nest removal cost will be extortionate for a garage.
Wall Cavities
Wall cavities make for naturally guarded and hidden spots. That makes it a lot easier for wasps to build their nests there.
Air bricks or weep holes create the perfect doorways for wasps to fly in and out of the wall cavity. This is why it is a common place for wasp nests.
If left untreated, they can become breeding grounds for a wasp colony, with nest getting bigger and bigger over time. It even posses the risk of creating cracks in walls, or puts the building occupants under constant risk of being stung if the wasps make it into inside rooms.
In many cases, wasp nest inside wall cavities are hard to reach. This in turn results in a larger cost to completely remove the nest.
For nests in cavities, it is recommended to get multiple quotes from pest control companies and listen to their advice on what to do about the nest.
Trees
If you have trees in your garden (or neighbours garden), it is one of the most common places for wasps to build their nests.
While a wasp nest on the tree may not seem overly concerning, the wasps will constantly be flying around during the spring and summer months when people tend to enjoy their garden.
If for any reason the wasps feel threatened or the nest gets disturbed, the wasps will attack whoever they feel is the predator. This could be you, children, people visiting the home owner or pets.
Removing wasp nests from trees can be expensive since it is difficult to reach nests in tall trees. Pest control companies are likely to charge more than normal for a nest removal in these circumstances.
Nonetheless, it is best to have the wasp nest removed. Don’t let wasps ruin your summer in the garden.
As you can see from above, wasp nests can appear anywhere around your home. Any secluded area with easy is more likely for wasps to deem it an ideal location for their nest.
In-Ground Wasp Nest Removal
Another area for wasps to build their nest is in the ground. In-ground wasp nests are often considered more dangerous than wasp nests that appear in “above ground” locations.
In ground wasp nests are quite common in the UK.
During the spring / summer months, it is wise to look out for wasps and where they are flying about.
They will often locate holes in garden soil and make their nest there. Another distinctive indicator of a in-ground nest, is the sound of wasps buzzing from the area.
While you might not see them, you can hear a large nest of wasps.
As with any other type of wasp nest removal, the cost of having an in-ground wasp nest treated depends on a few factors – location and accessibility.
In-ground wasp nests can often be found in tricky, hard-to-reach places. In these cases the nest removal cost will be higher.
Dangers Of In-Ground Nests
In-ground wasp nests can be particularly dangerous, because they are not obvious and stay hidden.
If you have children or pets who play in the garden, they may carelessly step over an in-ground wasp nest without noticing it.
Add into the equation areas of your garden with shrubs, tall grass, plants etc where a nest is located and this increases the chance of someone being stung.
If you are not sure if you have an in-ground nest in your garden, it’s best to call a pest controller service. The pest controllers will know the signs to look out for.
Cost Of Wasp Nest Removal
The cost of wasp nest removal depends on where the nest is and how big it is. It also depends on which city or town you stay in.
While there is no national standard cost for wasp nest removal, pest controllers tend to work around certain price brackets.
We have included some ball-park costs below, though we always recommend getting at least 3 quotes to compare:
| Location | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ground floor nest removal | £69 |
| First floor nest removal | £89 |
| Second floor nest removal | £95 |
| Additional nest removal | £25 |
Generally the higher the wasp nest, the trickier the removal process is.
Some companies will offer just to kill the wasps, but to leave the wasp nest where it is. While this will be the cheaper option, it is recommended to have the nest removed completely.
Removing pests such as wasps is not only important from a cleanliness perspective, but also from a safety perspective – no one wants to be receive a painful sting!
Always pick a pest control company who has experience in dealing with wasps. Look for online ratings and reviews about them before you select one.
Check if they are a member of the British pest control association. And only pay once the job is done.
Dealing with wasp nests is easy if you let the right people do it for you!
Wasp Nest FAQs
Who can remove a wasp nest?
While anyone can attempt to remove a wasp nest, it is better left to professionals. It’s like calling the fire brigade if your house was on fire, just because you know how to put a fire out, doesn’t mean you would tackle it yourself. You should seek professional wasp removal services to ensure the safety of everyone around you.
How long does a wasp nest killer take to work?
Generally, wasp nest treatment takes around 15 minutes to work – and after 24 hours there should be no activity around the nest. In most cases, you should let a professional pest controller handle the wasp nest killer since it contains chemicals and is poisonous.
How to keep wasp nests away?
When it comes to indoor areas, you can keep wasp nests away by regularly checking your house for wasps and keeping your home clean. Whereas for outdoor areas, unfortunately there is very little you can do to keep wasps away. The only thing you can do is keep checking for signs of wasp activity and then calling a pest controller.
Where are wasp nests found?
Wasp nests are found both inside and outside homes. The most common areas are in roof spaces, attics, garden sheds, garages and trees. They can also burrow into the ground or use existing holes to build nests under the soil.
How long do wasps nests last?
Wasp nests generally last for 3 to 4 months around the summer. Once colder winter temperatures come, the worker wasps from the nest will die off as food becomes scarcer. The queen wasp will hibernate during the colder months ready for next season.
