Do Wasps Return to the Same Nest Every Year? A Guide for Wike Gardens
In late August a wasp nest is at its busiest, and by November it is silent. This guide follows what happens in between and what to do at each stage.
Late August in the garden
The nest above the back door has been getting busier all month, and by late August there is a constant traffic of wasps over the step. A householder wonders whether the nest will carry on until the winter, whether it should be left and whether it will be back in the spring.
The answer to the last question is no. A nest is a one-season structure. But the weeks between now and the end of the colony can be the most irritating of the year, and it is worth knowing how to cope with them.
In August a nest is near its largest, and it can hold 2,000 to 10,000 wasps or more. The workers have spent the summer feeding grubs and now there are fewer of them to feed, so they spend more time looking for sweet things for themselves. That is why late-summer wasps seem more interested in drinks, ice cream and fruit.
At the same time, the colony is raising new queens. They leave, mate and go into hiding to wait out the winter. Once that is done, the nest has served its purpose. The old queen dies, the workers decline and, with the first spells of cold weather, the colony ends.
Should you wait it out?
Some people decide to put up with a nest until it dies. That is a choice, but it carries costs.
- The nest remains busy for weeks, and the end of a colony is not predictable.
- Wasps can swarm and sting if disturbed, and late in the season they are at their most numerous.
- If the nest is near a door, path or washing line, daily life is awkward.
- Someone allergic to stings is at risk throughout.
- Children and pets are more likely to run into trouble.
If the nest is far from where people go, you may be happy to leave it. If it is close, treatment is a perfectly reasonable thing to book, even late in the season.
The practical difficulties in the last weeks
The end of the season brings its own problems, and many of the stings happen then. A few habits help you through to the first frost.
- Keep drinks covered and check cans before drinking.
- Take rubbish out in a closed bag and keep bin lids on.
- Avoid walking barefoot on grass, especially near fallen fruit.
- Look before you reach into a hedge, a bin or a shed.
- Teach children and visitors to keep still and move away calmly.
If someone is stung, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and use a cold pack. If there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash, call 999. Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP about what to do in advance.
Do not try to deal with a nest yourself at this time of year. Colonies are at their most numerous, and a nest that seems quiet at dusk can be very active by the next morning. It is far safer to leave it to someone trained.
After the colony has died
Once nights turn properly cold and you see no wasps at the nest for a good while, it is safe to assume the colony is over. Wait for a few hard frosts to be sure.
- Look from a distance before approaching.
- If the nest is easy to reach, empty and loose, bag it and bin it.
- If it is in a wall, loft or other hard-to-reach place, leave it.
- Note the position and repair the entry point during the winter.
- Plan a weekly look at the area from late April.
The old nest is not reused. A new queen is more likely to be influenced by the shelter the site offers than by the presence of paper.
Why the nest is not simply recycled
People often assume that a nest of this size must be worth reusing. It is not, and the reason is partly structural and partly biological. The paper is thin and has been built for one season. The colony it housed has gone, and there is no group of wasps left to look after it.
A new queen, working alone in spring, begins a small nest of her own, in a place of her choosing. She is not following the trail of a former colony. She is responding to the conditions, which means a dry, protected spot with a small entrance.
There are some practical consequences. You do not need to be anxious that leaving the dead nest in place will invite a replacement. You also cannot assume that taking it down will protect you. What matters is how easy the space is for a queen to use next spring, and that is something you can influence with repairs and tidiness.
If you are happy to do so, record where the nest was and put a reminder in your diary for late April. That small act turns a vague worry into a plan.
Planning for next year
Take a few notes while it is fresh: where the nest was, when you first noticed it and how it affected the use of your garden. When spring comes, that account will help you decide how closely to watch the spot.
Even late in the season a nest can be treated for a flat £90, with £35 for any additional nest at the same property and no call-out charge. You are told the price on the phone before the visit and nothing is done until you agree. Wike and neighbouring areas are covered for homes and businesses every day, with same-day service offered, by trained, fully insured technicians. The number is 0113 347 0014, and the contact page has an online booking form.
Wasps on your property in Wike?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.