Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for Armley Gardens
A second nest in the same year, or the next, is more common than people expect and does not mean the first treatment failed.
A second nest does not mean the colony came back
It can be unsettling to deal with a nest and then see wasps again, whether weeks later in the same summer or a year on. The reasonable worry is that the first nest was not properly dealt with, or that the same wasps have returned.
Neither is generally the case. Each nest belongs to its own queen. Different queens choose different spots, sometimes within a short distance of each other, so two or more nests on a property in one summer is quite possible. A nest the following year is a new colony, not a returning one.
Wasps do not reuse a nest. So when wasps appear again, treat it as a fresh situation and look for where they are going.
The reassurance is that a new nest is not a sign of failure. A busy summer can see wasps appear from several directions, and the key is to deal with each nest as it is found.
Why more than one nest can appear on one property
Queens do not coordinate, and they do not avoid each other. Where a property offers many sheltered spots, such as eaves, a shed, a hedge and a bank, more than one queen may use them.
It also happens that a nest is hidden. A visible nest on the front of a house may be accompanied by a hidden one in a wall or the ground that was not noticed. When wasps continue to appear after the first is dealt with, that is the likeliest explanation.
The way to tell is the flight path. Wasps that travel to a different point from the original nest mean a different nest.
Gardens with plenty of cover, such as hedges, sheds and rockeries, can host several nests at once. So can business premises with yards, canopies and roof edges. The more sheltered spaces there are, the more choices queens have.
Do not assume that wasps travelling in a straight line from a distance are from your property. A nest can be several gardens away, and workers will cross your garden on their route to food.
How to work out where the wasps are going
Pick a warm part of the day and stand at a safe distance with a clear view of the property. Watch for a few minutes, not seconds.
- Note the point where wasps are entering, and whether it is the same as the one that was treated.
- Watch the roofline, the walls, outbuildings and the ground in turn.
- Mark down anything that looks like a second point of entry, however minor it seems.
- Do not move any closer if wasps are flying in numbers.
If you have only seen a single wasp or two, that may be nothing, as foragers often wander through. A steady line is the real signal.
Keep a record on your phone. Note the date, the time, and the part of the property you were watching. It makes it much easier to see whether a later sighting is the same place or a different one.
If you are a landlord or manager, share the record with whoever arranges access, so that a visit goes smoothly.
How additional nests are priced
When you phone, tell us how many nests you think there are. The fixed price is £90 for a nest, and an additional nest on the same property is £35. There is no call-out charge, and the price is confirmed on the phone before the technician visits. Nothing is done without your agreement.
If another nest turns up later, simply call again and describe what you have seen.
Same-day service is offered, and the team is open seven days a week, so a second nest need not wait long once you have called.
For a household with several outbuildings, or a commercial site with more than one building, it is worth describing each place you have seen wasps. That way, all nests can be dealt with in one go.
Looking after the property between visits
Make the property less appealing. After a nest has been dealt with and the colony is gone, think about the gaps that were used. Once you are certain nothing is using them, ask a builder to close them.
Ask the technician at booking whether the empty nest can be taken down after it has been checked. It makes it easier to see whether a new wasp is investigating the same spot next spring.
From late April, repeat the walk-round every week or two. Early warning is the best protection against a second nest growing to full size.
Do not be tempted to block an entrance to a nest that you think has been dealt with. If you are not sure it is inactive, wait. It is far better to close a gap in winter, when you can be certain nothing is using it.
Getting help in Armley
To book, ring 0113 347 0014 or use the form on the contact page. Wasp Exterminator Leeds covers Armley and the surrounding area, for domestic and commercial customers, with trained, fully insured technicians. If anyone at home or work is allergic to wasp stings, tell us when you book so we can take it into account.
Do mention how many separate places you have seen wasps when you call. If there are two entrances in different parts of the building, say so. It means the booking can be set up properly in one conversation, with the fixed £90 and £35 prices explained at the start.
It also helps to say whether the property is a home or a business premises, as we work with both and it affects things like access.
Wasps on your property in Armley?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.