When Is Wasp Season in Arthington?
Many people assume a nest is finished the moment the weather cools and leave it until it becomes a problem again; here is what actually happens in autumn and what to do about it.
Assuming the season ends on a set date
A common mistake is to treat the end of the wasp season as a date on the calendar, usually the first week of September, and to stop paying attention to nests from then on. In practice, the decline is gradual. Some nests are still busy well into autumn, and a nest that you can ignore in mid-October may be one you have to walk past every day in early September.
The other mistake runs in the opposite direction: assuming that an old nest left in the roof will be reoccupied next year, and so spending the winter worrying about it. Neither belief matches what wasps do. This guide covers what autumn looks like, what to do with a late nest, and what to do about an old one, for anyone in Arthington or nearby.
What the decline looks like
Wasps start building nests from late April, depending on the weather, and the colony grows through the summer, peaking in August. After the peak the colony passes its busiest period and begins to wind down. Fewer new workers are produced, the existing ones gradually die off, and activity at the entrance thins out.
Towards the end of this process new queens leave to find a place to shelter over winter, and the nest itself is abandoned. The old workers do not survive the cold. The queens that do survive are the ones that will start the next generation in spring.
In practical terms, here is what you may see.
- A steady fall in the number of wasps at the entrance.
- More wasps around sweet food and drink for a while, then fewer.
- Wasps that seem sluggish on cooler mornings.
- Eventually, an entrance with no traffic at all.
None of this follows a strict timetable, and a mild autumn can keep a nest going for longer.
Deciding what to do with a late nest
When you find a nest in September or October, the right choice depends on where it is and who is likely to go near it. A nest in a far corner of a garden hedge that nobody visits can reasonably be left to die back. A nest beside the front door, over the washing line or by the bins cannot.
Timing matters too. A nest that is clearly past its peak, with only a few wasps coming and going, may be less urgent than one that is still busy, but it is hard to judge from a distance and you should not try to get closer to find out. If in doubt, assume it is active.
Ask yourself these questions.
- Does anyone walk, work or play within a few metres of the entrance?
- Is anyone in the household, or any regular visitor, allergic to stings?
- Is the entrance on a route you use every day, such as a back door or garage?
- Do you need to carry out repairs, painting or gutter work nearby?
If the answer to any of these is yes, it is better to have the nest treated now than to wait for it to fade. Do not try to settle the question by poking the nest to see if it is empty. A nest that looks quiet can still be occupied.
Old nests: empty does not mean harmful
Once a nest has been abandoned or treated, the paper shell is just an empty shell. Wasps do not return to it the following year, and a fresh queen will start again from scratch. Many people worry about this unnecessarily and leave a tell-tale shell in the loft for years.
That said, there are sensible reasons to remove an empty nest. It can be unsightly, it can hold moisture, and it can be mistaken in future for an active one, which causes needless worry. If you want yours taken down, ask the technician when you book; we can tell you whether it is possible for your particular nest.
If you find an old nest yourself, be sure it is empty before you touch it, because a late active nest and an old nest can look very alike. Wear gloves, and treat any doubt as a reason to ask before you handle it.
Using autumn to prepare for next spring
Autumn is the best time to deal with the places where wasps got in. Queens that spend the winter sheltering will look for a spot again in April, and if you have closed the gaps, there is less for them to find.
- Repair or seal gaps in eaves, fascia and soffits once you are sure nothing is using them.
- Check roof tiles, airbricks and the tops of walls.
- Clear out sheds and outbuildings and leave them tidy.
- Cover or fill holes in banks and lawns that wasps used.
- Put a reminder in your diary for the last week of March.
Do not forget the less obvious places. Queens like cavities, so cavity wall vents, the gap behind a shed, the space under a decking board and the inside of an old compost bin are all worth a glance when you tidy up for winter. A winter walk-round with a torch is far easier than a summer one, because there is no traffic to avoid.
For anyone stung in autumn, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and use a cold pack. If the face, lips or throat swell, or there is wheezing, trouble breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash, call 999.
Booking
If you are in Arthington or close by, Wasp Exterminator Leeds can attend. The fixed price is £90 per nest, shown with the promise of 1 visit guaranteed, while a further nest on the property is £35.
You will not pay a call-out charge, and you can book on any day of the week, and every job is carried out by a trained technician under full insurance. The price is agreed over the phone first, and no work is done until you agree. Phone 0113 347 0014 or fill in the booking form on the contact page. If you want the empty nest removed from view later, raise it when you book.
Wasps on your property in Arthington?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.