How Long Does Professional Wasp Nest Treatment Take in Oulton?
Nests in the ground are common and often found by accident. This page explains how treatment of an underground nest usually goes and how long the activity takes to fade.
A nest in the ground follows the same pattern, with a different setting
Many householders expect a wasp nest to be in the roof, but a good number are found underground. Wasps use holes in the ground, old burrows and gaps beneath paving, and the first sign is usually a steady stream of wasps going in and out of a small hole in a lawn, flower bed or bank.
The treatment of a ground nest is usually quick, and the time it takes to settle is similar to any other nest: busy for the first few hours, easing through the rest of the day, and usually quiet after a day or two. If you are in Oulton, in the Leeds area, and have found a hole like this, the details below are for you.
How to tell it is a nest, and not just a few wasps
A single wasp walking over the grass is not a nest. A nest entrance has a pattern.
- A small hole, often with a little loose soil around it.
- Wasps flying in and out in a regular line, with some landing at the edge before dropping in.
- A faint buzzing noise if you stand a safe distance away, particularly on a warm, dry day.
- Wasps that become agitated if you walk or mow near the spot.
Do not lean over the hole to look. A ground colony can have thousands of wasps underneath, and the entrance is exactly where the guards are posted. Stay well back, use a window to watch if you can, and keep the lawnmower in the shed.
If the hole is in a bank or along the edge of a path, think about who else uses that route. Neighbours, postal workers and children cutting through are all at risk of walking straight past the entrance, so a simple warning at the gate is worthwhile.
Helping the technician find the spot comes next. A technician can treat a nest much more efficiently if they can find the hole quickly. The safest way to help is to describe it clearly when you phone: which part of the garden, how far from the house or fence, and any landmark such as a tree, a shed corner or a patio edge.
If you must mark it, do it from a distance. Lay a long garden cane or a brightly coloured flag at the edge of the lawn, pointing towards the spot, rather than walking up to the entrance. Better still, take a photograph from a safe place and leave it at that.
Do not rely on the position of the hole by memory alone. Soil, grass and flowerbeds change quickly through the summer, and a hole that was visible last week may be hidden now.
The visit
For a nest in the ground the technician will normally locate the entrance from the flight line, approach with care and treat the nest. The visit is usually brief, and the technician will tell you which part of the garden to avoid. You do not need to be standing nearby, and it is better if you are not.
The fixed price is £90 per nest, confirmed on the phone before the visit, with no call-out charge. If there is a second nest on the same property, perhaps in the neighbouring flower bed or under the hedge, that is £35.
What you will see afterwards
Returning wasps hover above the hole and drop in and out for a while. They may land on nearby grass, fence posts or the edge of a patio. Numbers usually fall through the rest of the day, and by the following morning there are generally far fewer.
What you can do for the next day or two:
- Keep children and pets out of that part of the garden entirely.
- Do not mow, strim or dig near the hole.
- Do not pour anything into it or stamp on it.
- Do not fill it with soil or paving stones until the entrance has been quiet for a good while.
- Cover food and drink if you sit outside.
The reasons are the same as for nests elsewhere: wasps that are still returning or still underground need a route out, and a blocked hole sends them to look for another.
In a lawn there is one extra point. Underground nests often have a tunnel that runs for a short way before the chamber, so wasps can emerge from a surprisingly different spot than the one you first noticed. If you see wasps appearing a short distance from the original hole, tell us rather than assuming it is a new nest.
Filling the hole, and booking
Once the entrance has been clear of traffic for a day or so, there are no wasps coming and going and you can begin to tidy the lawn or bed. Filling a hole is a simple job for most gardeners, and doing it will make the spot less inviting to anything looking for a hole to nest in next spring.
If you are unsure whether the nest is quiet, wait another day. It is far easier to wait than to be stung while checking.
Be aware that the spot may look different afterwards. Loose soil, a bare patch or a slight dip is nothing to worry about, and the grass will usually recover with the season.
Phone 0113 347 0014 or use the online booking form on the contact page when you are ready to book. We are open seven days a week and offer same-day service for both domestic and commercial sites, such as grounds, car parks and play areas. Tell us if anyone at home is allergic to stings, and mention if the nest is close to a path, a play area or a shared boundary.
Wasps on your property in Oulton?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.