EXCELLENT
When Is Wasp Season in Austerfield and Bawtry?
A few quick checks at the right times of year can catch a nest before it becomes a problem, and this guide sets out what to look for and when.
Think of it as a routine, not an emergency
Most people only think about wasps when one lands on a sandwich. A more useful approach is to build a short, regular look round the property into the calendar, so that a nest is noticed when it is small and manageable rather than when it is large and loud.
Wasps begin building in early April depending on the weather and the mildness of the spring. From then until the colony peaks in August, the nest grows steadily, which means the right checks are well spaced and simple.
The advice below suits households in Austerfield and Bawtry on the southern edge of the Doncaster borough just as it suits anywhere else, and it takes only a few minutes each time.
A routine like this does not need special equipment. A pair of eyes, a mild day and a few minutes are enough. The point is to build a habit, so that spotting a nest becomes a normal part of looking after the property rather than a surprise.
First warm days of spring
Pick a mild, dry day in April and walk slowly round the outside of the property. You are looking for a single wasp repeatedly visiting one spot, or a small papery lump in a sheltered corner.
- Eaves, fascias and the corners where walls meet the roof.
- Gaps around pipes, vents and chimney stacks.
- The undersides of sheds, garages and carports.
- Hedges, dense shrubs and the lower branches of trees.
- Any hole or bank in the ground, particularly where the soil is dry.
Do not poke into anything. A look from a few steps back is enough, and if you see a wasp heading in, make a note of the place.
Take a moment to look at the wider picture as well. Wasps are drawn to places with shelter and warmth, so the sunny side of a building is often the first to be used. If you have outbuildings or a greenhouse, check their roofs and corners as well as the house.
Early summer: May and June
By now a nest, if there is one, is growing. A second look in late May or June can pick up anything missed earlier. This is also a good time to tidy up the places wasps like to explore, such as a pile of old pots near the shed or a gap beside the garage door.
Keep an eye on bins and compost too. They do not cause nests, but they attract foraging wasps, and a sudden increase in numbers can point to a colony nearby.
If you find a spot that looks promising but cannot be sure, there is no harm in watching it for ten minutes from a distance. Wasps that are simply passing do not keep returning to the same hole, but one that is nesting will.
A pattern worth noticing is the time of day. Early on a warm morning wasps may be slow, and by midday they are in full flight. A check at the warmest part of the day shows the real level of activity, while a check on a cool, damp morning can make a busy nest look deserted.
High summer: July and August
Inspect little and often. Now the wasps themselves are the best guide. A steady line of insects crossing the garden and vanishing into one spot is a nest, almost always. Because this is the peak period, with as many as 2,000 wasps in a mature nest, you should not approach it for a closer look.
The right response at this point is to note down the position and height, keep family and pets clear, and ring for treatment. Do not leave it for the weekend if it is somewhere people pass.
Commercial premises and larger properties benefit from the same approach, just on a bigger scale. Share the job between a few people, each taking a side of the building, and compare notes afterwards.
Late in the season, accept that some checks are best done from a window. Looking down on a flat roof or across a garden wall from an upstairs room means you can scan the area without stepping into a flight path, and it is a good way to confirm what you saw in passing.
Autumn and the end of the cycle
As autumn arrives, the colony declines, but wasps can remain a nuisance for a while. A final look in September helps you spot anything you missed, and it lets you note where nests appeared so that you know which spots deserve attention next April.
It is worth writing these observations down, even on a calendar. A pattern from one year is not a guarantee for the next, but a note that says ‘gable end, May’ gives you a head start when spring comes round again.
Autumn is also a sensible time to think about repairs. Once the colony has gone quiet, ask the technician or a builder about closing gaps that were used, so the same crack does not attract attention next spring.
Households with young children or pets can add a short step to the routine: a quick look at the lawn and borders before they go out to play. It takes a moment and catches anything that has changed since the last walk round.
What to do when you find something
The Wasp Exterminator offers treatment at a fixed £70 a nest, with an extra nest at the same property for £25 extra, and no call-out charge. It operates seven days a week, with same-day service offered, to domestic and commercial customers.
You are given the price over the phone before the technician visits, and nothing is done without your agreement. It might be higher in hard-to-reach places that need special access equipment. Ring 07798 792 774, or fill in the online booking form.
If you would like the empty nest removed once the wasps have gone, ask the technician when you book. Whether that is possible depends on where it is, and it is better to raise it before the visit than after.
Wasps on your property in Austerfield and Bawtry?
Fixed price £70 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.