Advice
How to Tell If You Have a Wasp Nest at Your Property
A wasp nest is often hidden in a loft, wall or shed, so knowing the early signs helps you act calmly before the colony grows.
Read the guide →£90
Wasp nest treatment, fixed price
We confirm the price with you before any work starts. It can depend on where the nest is and how easy it is to reach. Call 01392 590 140 or send an enquiry.
We treat wasp nests safely and professionally for homes, landlords, holiday lets and businesses across Devon. Choose your town from the list on this page and get in touch. A technician will come out, find the nest, treat it and explain what to do next. Please do not try to deal with it yourself. We will explain what is involved.
Where wasps build their nests
Wasps look for sheltered, quiet spaces where a nest will not be disturbed. Lofts, eaves, soffits and fascias are common choices, along with wall cavities, sheds, garages, chimneys, air bricks, ducting, hollow trees and dense bushes. Some nests are in plain sight. Many are hidden, and the first clue is simply wasps flying steadily to and from one small gap. Checking the loft, garage and shed early in the season can help you catch a young nest while it is still small.
A gap that looks tiny from outside may lead to a nest the size of a football or larger. You may also hear a faint rustling or scratching from inside a wall or ceiling, or notice a brown stain spreading across plasterwork. If you see a regular flight path of wasps, note where they enter and tell us when you call. A wasp nest in an older Devon property can be difficult to see, so we search every likely void.
What a wasp nest treatment involves
A technician visits, locates the nest and checks how easy it is to reach. The nest is then treated with a professional product that works its way through the colony, so the wasps die back over the following hours and days. You may still see some activity for a short time afterwards, which is normal as returning workers meet the treated nest. We also advise on keeping children and pets clear of the area until activity has settled.
The cost is agreed before any work starts. Once the colony has died, we can advise on removing the old nest, particularly where it sits in a loft or cavity, and on making the spot less attractive next year. Old nests are not reused, but a new queen may choose the same sheltered place. We explain each step as we go, so you know exactly what has been done and what to expect.
Staying safe around wasps in Devon
Do not poke, block or spray a nest yourself. Blocking the entrance sends angry wasps looking for another way out, which can mean into your living space. Keep children and pets well away, close windows nearby and avoid standing close to the flight path. Late summer is when workers become more irritable and go after sugary food and drink. If wasps are already inside the building, keep the room closed and call us.
Devon sees plenty of visitors and outdoor living through the warmer months, so cafes, pubs, guest houses and holiday lets often need nests dealt with quickly to protect guests and staff. Older roofs, stone walls and outbuildings give wasps plenty of places to settle. If you spot a nest, call us and keep your distance. Landlords and holiday let owners can arrange treatment for properties they do not live in. Staying calm and keeping a safe distance is always the right first step.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove a wasp nest myself?
We strongly advise against it. Disturbed wasps defend the nest aggressively, and shop-bought sprays often fail to reach the centre of the colony. Blocking the entrance can push wasps into the building. A trained technician has the right product, equipment and protective clothing, and can reach nests in awkward places safely.
How long until the wasps are gone?
The nest is treated during the visit, and the colony dies back over the following hours and days. You may see a few wasps for a short time as returning workers meet the treated nest. If activity carries on well beyond that, let us know and we will advise on the next step.
Do you remove the nest itself afterwards?
Once the colony is dead, an empty nest is harmless, although it can look unpleasant in a loft or cavity. We can advise on removing it where that is practical. Nests in wall voids are often left in place, because opening the structure would cause more disruption than it solves.
When is wasp nest season in Devon?
Nests begin in spring when a queen chooses a sheltered spot. They grow through summer and reach their peak in late summer, when wasps are most noticeable and most irritable. Calling early in the season is easier, but we deal with nests whenever you find one.