If you have wasps getting inside your home and they are slow and unable to fly, they are starving. It takes a great deal of energy to fly and a good food source to provide that energy. You usually will have lethargic wasps getting indoors in late autumn and possibly spring/early summer. You had a nest that went unnoticed and is now dying due to diminishing food supplies for the wasps. If you can find where they are getting in, use packing tape to block the entry point to prevent them from gaining access to the inside of your home. Hoover up the remaining wasps, and this should stop the problem. If you are finding large wasps indoors and it is springtime/early summer, this will be queens waking from hibernation (probably in your loft space) and finding their way inside (by mistake) rather than going outside.
Wasps are highly defensive of their nests and can attack anything approaching the nest location. Dogs are at risk from individual stings due to their nature to chase things, and many dogs instinctively try to bite insects and can get stung in their mouths which can be particularly dangerous. Horses are also at risk, as wasps like to nest in stables. Horses can also be at risk if there are nearby honeybee hives, and there have been several cases of horses dying from continued attacks from honeybees.
The size of wasp nests depends on the season. In some years, nests get larger than usual. In an average year, at the end of the summer, when the nests are full size, they can be three feet in diameter. Not all nests are round, and wasps can build their nests in any shape to fit in with the surroundings. A massive nest can grow to four or five feet in diameter, but this size is quite rare.
If you can see wasps entering from outside, a nest is probably present. Not all nests are visible and can be tucked away in cavity walls or some other void that cannot be seen. If you can see the wasps entering, we can treat the nest. A large proportion of nests are treated from the outside.
If you have had a wasp nest treated and no wasps have been seen for a few days, you can seal the entrance with confidence that all of the wasps are dead. We do not advise sealing an entrance before a nest has been treated.
Our fee for treating a Wasp or Hornet nest is a straight forward £65.00. This cost includes all the expenses associated with the treatment, such as callouts, climbing ladders, working in lofts, and any essential treatments. There are no hidden costs, and we want to ensure that you know exactly what you will be paying for our services.
If youve discovered additional nests on your property, we can treat them during the same visit for an extra £15.00 per nest. This offer is only applicable if treated at the time of the original callout. So, if you have multiple nests on your property, call us, and we can discuss a fixed price to handle all the nests in a single visit.
We are certified and fully insured professionals, and all our work comes with a guarantee. Payment is due upon completing the job, and please note that we do not accept bank transfers. Additionally, no value-added tax (VAT) is applied to our charges.
Please ensure that you have correctly identified the species of flying insect causing concern before contacting us. If you are not certain, you can send us a clear photo, and we will be happy to assist in identifying the issue. Alternatively, you can call us, and we will discuss the problem and provide advice.
We strongly advise against using proprietary products you may have purchased to treat the nest, as this action can often lead to disastrous consequences. If you decide to embark upon this often hazardous endeavor, please do not call us to sort out the frequently dangerous aftermath.
Please do not contact us for any issues related to bees, as we do not provide treatment for any bee species.
When you book our services, we will assign you an approximate morning or afternoon time slot. We promise to be there as scheduled and kindly request that you be present at home to ensure a smooth process.
For safety reasons, we recommend keeping children and pets indoors and closing windows and doors during and for several hours after treatment. Please keep in mind that we work weekends, so if you discover a nest in your garden during the weekend (Saturday or Sunday), give us a call, and we will make every effort to respond to your situation as soon as possible.
Seeing a wasp struggling on the ground can stir up mixed feelings. Our first instinct may be to get rid of the potential sting hazard. But taking a moment to assist an ailing pollinator can be rewarding. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to safely save a dying wasp.
Assess the Situation
The first step is to closely observe the insect to determine if it actually needs help or is just resting. A healthy wasp will seem alert and may fly away if approached. One that is dying may move slowly or erratically have issues flying or be motionless. Also check for signs of injury like a damaged wing or leg, or a swollen abdomen.
Keep your distance to avoid getting stung by a wasp that still has some fight left! Only try to help if you can do so safely without much risk of being stung.
Create a Safe Space
If the wasp is inside, gently guide it onto a sheet of paper or flat surface using cardboard. Avoid touching it directly. Then move it away from high traffic areas to a quiet spot.
If you find a struggling wasp outside, make a protected area by placing an overturned cup or bowl over it. This gets it off the ground and out of harm’s way. Just don’t trap it fully inside. Prop up one edge of the cover to allow air flow.
Offer Sustenance
Like us, insects need food and water to live Offer the ailing wasp a sugar boost to rejuvenate it. Mix up a solution of sugar or honey and water. Place a small drop near, but not directly on, the insect Ideally use an eye dropper, toothpick, or disposable utensil to avoid contact.
If possible, position the drop to contact the mouthparts or antennae to encourage feeding. Give the wasp time to ingest the fuel. You may need to reapply the solution periodically. The sugar will provide much-needed energy.
Keep It Warm
Insects can’t regulate their body temperature. Exposure to cold can quickly drain their already low energy reserves. If trying to revive a wasp on a cool day, create a warm spot using a lamp or other gentle heat source positioned nearby but not touching it. The added warmth can help its chances.
Allow Time to Recuperate
Be patient and give the ailing wasp sufficient time to digest the sugar water, warm up, and regain its strength. Watch for signs of recovery like increased movement, alertness, grooming, or flying attempts. This process could take 10 minutes up to a few hours.
Check on its status periodically, but avoid too much disruption. If there’s no improvement after a long wait, the wasp likely has an underlying issue that basic first aid can’t fix.
Release Back Outside
Once the wasp seems re-energized and able to fly well, carefully relocate it back outside. Use your cardboard guide to gently encourage it onto a flower, leaf, or other safe landing spot. This gives it the best chance to be on its way.
While not every rescue attempt may work, a few thoughtful actions on our part can go a long way toward potentially saving an important pollinator. Always be extremely careful when working near stinging insects. But consider lending a careful helping hand next time you find a wasp in need. Your efforts could make all the difference!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about saving dying wasps:
How to help a dead wasp?
If the wasp is already dead, place it in your freezer for at least 2 hours to ensure it is no longer a sting risk. Remember that even a dead wasp’s sting can penetrate skin, so handle dead wasps carefully.
Why is a wasp not moving?
Wasps and many insects move slowly or not at all when they are cold. Cool nights, especially in early morning before the day warms up, can cause wasps to become sluggish.
Should you save wasps?
Yes, wasps play a beneficial role in suppressing many insect pests, so the goal should be to reduce encounters with them, not eliminate them entirely. Wasps are predators that eat ticks and other insects like houseflies.
How do you kill a wasp humanely?
To humanely kill a wasp, a quick, forceful smack with a flyswatter can dispatch it in one blow. You can also spray it directly with soapy water, which will coat its breathing pores and cause relatively quick death. Riskier options are trying to step on it or swatting it mid-air.
How long does a wasp sting last?
A normal wasp sting will cause pain, redness, swelling, and itching at the site for a few hours up to a couple days. Most symptoms gradually improve within the first 24 hours. However, severe allergic reactions can occur, leading to more serious, prolonged symptoms needing immediate medical care.
Are there dead wasps in your home?
Lethargic wasps in your home are likely male wasps that have died naturally or hibernating female wasps. This often happens during winter months and indicates a nest exists somewhere close by.
How long does it take a wasp to die naturally?
If trapped indoors, wasps typically die within a few weeks to several months. If outdoors, they usually perish within 1-2 days since the rest of the colony will have left by that point.
With some basic knowledge and a gentle helping hand, you can assist distressed wasps and give them a fighting chance to carry on their vital work as pollinators and pest controllers. Approach the situation calmly, act thoughtfully, and who knows – you may end up saving a life!
