Wasp & Hornet Control

Wasps are distinguished from bees by their slender waists and signature yellow-and-black stripes. They have much less hair on their bodies than bees and a tighter waist between the thorax and abdomen. Unlike bees, a single female wasp can sting repeatedly if she feels her nest is under threat.

Common and German Wasp

Family: Vespidae, Vespula vulgaris and Vespula germanica

These are the two most commonly found wasp species in the UK and responsible for the vast majority of painful stings. They prefer to build nests in sheltered locations with easy access to the outside, such as lofts, garages, and wall cavities. Outside they may nest in old rodent burrows, hollow trees, and bushes.

• Workers vary in size from 12 to 17 mm
• Yellow and black body, markings vary according to species
• A colony may have as many as 25,000 individual wasps
• Only female wasps sting, and they can do so readily and repeatedly
• The nest dies during winter, including all males and workers. Only young queens survive over winter.

German Wasp: Key Differences

The German wasp can be identified by three black dots on the face (the common wasp has anchor-shaped markings instead). German wasps tend to build larger nests, often underground or in structural voids such as cavity walls and beneath decking. They can be more aggressive when disturbed than common wasps, making early-season treatment particularly important.

Vespa velutina

The Asian hornet, also known as the yellow-legged hornet, is a non-native invasive species that has been steadily spreading across Europe and is now an increasing concern in the UK. It poses a serious threat to native honeybees and other pollinators.

Despite frequent media coverage referencing "giant Asian hornets", the Asian hornet is actually smaller than the European hornet. Sightings in the UK remain relatively rare but are increasing year on year.

How to Identify Asian Hornets

• Smaller than native European hornets
• Bright yellow-tipped legs and feet
• Black or deep brown, velvety abdomen
• Only the fourth segment of the abdomen is almost entirely yellow or orange
• Not active at night (European hornets are occasionally active from dusk into night)

If you believe you have spotted an Asian hornet nest, do not approach or attempt to treat it. Report sightings via the GB Non-Native Species Rapid Response app or contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Professional treatment is essential.

If there is a high volume of wasps in your home or garden, there is likely a nest nearby. A mature nest in summer can contain thousands of wasps. It is important to treat a wasp nest early to reduce the threat of stings.

Identifying a Wasp Nest

Wasps make their nests from chewed wood pulp and saliva, giving them distinctive papery walls. Nests are usually built in sheltered spots with easy access to the outside. To locate a nest, carefully watch the flight path of returning worker wasps to your property or garden.

Common Nesting Hotspots

• Garden structures: sheds, garages, and bird boxes
• Hidden voids: attics, lofts, and wall cavities
• High-traffic areas: underneath decking, porches, and eaves
• Roof spaces and eaves

Nest Size Progression

A wasp nest starts very small, around the size of a golf ball or walnut, when the queen begins building in spring. During summer the nest grows as the number of wasps increases and can reach the size of a football or larger. It is best to treat a wasp nest earlier in the year before numbers increase and wasps become more aggressive in late summer.

Spring (March to May) - Founding phase: Queen wasps emerge from hibernation and begin building a golf-ball-sized starter nest from chewed wood pulp. Each queen is the sole survivor of a previous colony, working alone until the first workers hatch. Watch for: small papery structures forming under eaves, in sheds, loft spaces, and bird boxes; a steady stream of a single wasp entering and leaving a gap; and new nests appearing in unexpected spots such as garden sheds and bird boxes across Hartlepool, Sunderland, and Durham. This is the easiest and cheapest stage to treat - one queen, one small nest.

Summer (June to August) - Rapid colony growth: Worker wasps take over foraging and construction while the queen focuses on egg-laying. The colony grows fast - by late July a nest can contain 5,000 to 10,000 workers. Watch for: increasing wasp numbers around your property, a visible nest growing in size (from golf ball to football), wasps becoming defensive if you approach within a few metres of the nest entrance, and a constant stream of wasps flying to and from a single entry point. Do not attempt to block the entrance or treat the nest yourself at this stage.

Autumn (September to November) - Peak aggression and sting risk: The queen stops producing workers and shifts to new queens and males. Existing workers, no longer needed by the colony, become erratic and scavenge for sugary food. Sting risk is highest during this period. Watch for: wasps persistently hovering around outdoor dining areas, beer gardens, and fallen fruit; wasps entering open drinks and food packaging; aggressive behaviour near the nest entrance as the colony breaks down; and increased call-outs from properties in Darlington, Stockton, and Middlesbrough with outdoor seating areas. Hospitality and education premises should treat nests before this phase.

Winter (December to February) - Colony dies off: The first hard frosts kill all workers and males. Only newly mated queens survive by hibernating in sheltered, frost-free spots such as wall cavities, woodpiles, and folded garden furniture. The old nest is never reused. Watch for: hibernating queens in stored items when spring cleaning sheds or lofts, and old nest material in loft spaces and cavity walls. This is the ideal time for prevention: seal gaps around eaves, fascias, and shed walls to reduce nesting sites for the following year.

• Stay clean: Ensure hands and faces (especially children's) are cleaned after eating sweet foods or drinks
• Cover food and drink: Always keep food and drink covered when eating outdoors
• Avoid open drinks: Unattended cans or bottles may encourage wasps to crawl inside
• Avoid orchards: Stay away from soft fruit plants and uncovered bins where wasps gather
• Avoid bright colours: Do not wear bright, bold floral patterns on clothes and bags
• Avoid strong, sweet smells: Do not use highly perfumed fragrances, shampoos, or hair sprays. Opt for neutral scents during outdoor gatherings
• Do not panic: If wasps are nearby, keep calm and move slowly away. Do not scream, flap arms, or swat them, as this agitates them and makes them more aggressive

If wasps become a recurring problem, consider a broader integrated pest management approach alongside fly control measures to reduce all flying insect activity around your property. We cover Newcastle, North Shields, and all areas across the North East.

Preventing a wasp problem is always easier than dealing with an established infestation. While wasps never reuse an old nest, a queen will often return to the same general area if she finds it suitable.

1. Conduct a Spring Audit

In early spring, scout your loft, garage, shed, eaves, and garden for new nests. At this early stage, they are often no larger than a walnut or golf ball. Smaller nests house fewer wasps, making them much safer and quicker to treat.

2. Manage Food and Waste

• Clear the buffet: In early summer, wasps seek protein to feed larvae. Remove leftover pet food or outdoor snacks. By late summer, they crave sugar, so ensure food and drink are covered and spills are cleared quickly
• Secure your bins: Ensure outdoor bins have tight-fitting lids and are located well away from doors, windows, and seating areas
• The imprint effect: Wasps imprint on food sources. Even after food is removed, they may continue to return to the same spot for several days

3. Smart Property Habits

• Aromatic deterrents: Planting aromatic herbs like spearmint, thyme, and eucalyptus may naturally discourage wasps from settling in your garden
• Birdhouse protection: Line the underside of birdhouse roofs with aluminium foil to prevent wasps from colonising them
• Entry points: Keep windows and doors closed when possible, and use fly screens to enjoy the breeze without uninvited guests
• Regular maintenance: Ensure all cracks and potential entry points are sealed

4. Personal Precautions

• If you discover an active nest, keep children and pets at a safe distance. Never attempt to disturb or knock down a nest yourself
• Strong, sweet, and floral perfumes are highly attractive to wasps, particularly toward the end of summer. Opt for neutral scents during outdoor gatherings

Dead wasp nests do not need to be removed for the treatment to be successful. Once the colony is eliminated, the nest is inert and will naturally dry out and decompose over autumn and winter.

Nests in accessible locations (loft spaces, sheds, outbuildings) can be removed at least 48 hours after professional treatment if preferred. Dead nests left in wall cavities will not cause further infestation.

Wasps never reuse old nests. However, a new queen may build a nest in the same location the following spring if entry points remain open. Seal them once the nest is confirmed dead.

A single professional treatment is sufficient in the vast majority of cases. Wasps die within 24 to 48 hours of contact with the insecticidal dust or spray applied to the nest.

• Expect continued wasp activity around the nest entrance for up to 48 hours after treatment. Foraging wasps returning to the nest contact the insecticide and die off. This is the treatment working.
• Do not attempt to remove the nest for at least 48 hours after treatment. Wasps are still capable of stinging during this period.
• The nest does not need to be physically removed. It will naturally dry out and decompose over autumn and winter. Removal can be arranged at least 48 hours after treatment if required.
• Once all activity has stopped, seal the entry point to deter future queens from nesting in the same location the following spring.
• Carry out a spring audit of eaves, loft, shed, and garage each March or April. Catching a new nest at golf-ball size is much quicker, safer, and more effective than treating a mature colony in August.