Wasp Nest in Your Garden Shed? Safe Treatment Options in Robin Hood
Pets sniff, dig and chase, which makes them the likeliest to disturb a shed nest; here is how to keep them safe and when to call a technician.
What to do now: keep pets away and arrange treatment
If you suspect wasps in the shed and you have a dog or a cat, keep them away from that corner of the garden and book a technician. Animals do not understand the danger. A dog may follow the line of wasps and snap at them, and a cat may sit by the door where wasps are crossing.
A sting on the nose or mouth is the typical injury for a curious dog, and it can swell quickly. Pets that eat a wasp can be stung in the mouth or throat, which is more serious.
It is worth knowing that dogs are often stung because they chase and catch wasps in flight. Hunting behaviour is natural, but it has no place near a nest. Calling your dog away in a firm, cheerful voice works better than shouting, which may excite it further.
How pets give the nest away
Animals often notice a nest before people do. A dog that keeps going to the same spot and sniffing the door, or that suddenly refuses to go near the shed, is telling you something. A cat that watches the eaves intently may have seen the flight line.
If you notice this behaviour, do not follow your pet to see what the fuss is about. Watch from a distance, as you would for any suspected nest, and look for wasps at one entry point.
- A dog repeatedly sniffing or pawing at the shed door or floor edge.
- A pet snapping at the air near the shed.
- A usually bold animal that has become wary of one part of the garden.
- Bowls left outside near the shed, which attract wasps to the food.
Keep an eye on the weather as well. Hot days make wasps lively and pets thirsty, so animals tend to spend more time in the garden at precisely the moment the nest is busiest. Shade and water should be provided indoors or on the front side of the house for now.
Practical steps to keep animals safe
Bring bowls inside, especially any with meat or sweet food. Keep dogs on a lead for toilet trips, and use a different part of the garden if you have to. If your garden has a dog run, a hutch or a coop near the shed, move small animals to a more distant spot only if you can do so without walking up to the building.
Do not allow your pet near the shed even when the wasps seem to have gone quiet. A cool night does not make them harmless, and a nest can reactivate with the next warm morning. Rabbits and guinea pigs in a run adjoining the shed should be moved well away.
If a pet is stung, keep them calm, look for any sting in the skin and apply something cool and wet. Watch for swelling of the face, laboured breathing, vomiting or collapse. Those need an urgent call to your vet. For people, the advice is the same as ever: call 999 for signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Small outbuildings used as hutches or aviaries nearby present a different problem, because wasps may be attracted to feed and cleaning waste. Keep the lids closed, and clear up spilled food daily.
Treatment and what to tell the technician
A technician is trained and fully insured and will treat the nest directly. When booking, say if you have pets, and where they usually spend time in the garden. Keep them indoors on the day, with the windows closed, until the technician says the work is finished.
The nest treatment costs £90 flat, with one visit guaranteed and no call-out charge, and a second nest on the property adds £35. You hear the price on the phone before anyone turns up, and nothing starts until you have said yes.
The team is open seven days a week and can offer same-day service, which helps when a dog has already been stung and you want the problem solved swiftly. If you would like to know whether the empty nest can be taken down afterwards, ask at booking.
If you run a kennel, grooming business or boarding premises, the same rules apply, and domestic and commercial work are both covered. Mention in the call what the setting is and where animals are kept.
Setting up the garden to avoid a repeat
After treatment, think about what draws wasps and pets together. Keep outdoor feeding to a minimum, clear up fallen fruit and tidy any dog chews or meat scraps that end up near the shed. A shed with a tight door and a sound roof is less welcoming.
Spring is the season to check. From late April, glance at the shed’s corners when you let the dog out. If you notice wasps going into a hole, step back and ring 0113 347 0014 or use the online form on the contact page.
Anyone in Robin Hood with a wasp allergy in the household should say so at booking. Your vet is the right person to ask if your pet has a history of reactions.
Keep a watchful eye on any digging spots. Dogs are good at finding old burrows, and a hole at the shed base that your dog keeps returning to may be a ground entrance instead of a rodent run. Call the dog away, note the location and mention it when you phone.
If more than one pet lives in your home, check each of them after any suspected sting. Animals with thick coats can be stung without showing it, and a limp, a lump or sudden irritability is worth noting.
Wasps on your property in Robin Hood?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.