keep getting wasps in my lounge in Jan, have I got a nest under the house?

happenstance

I've had three wasps all appear in my lounge in last 10 days. There are just floorboards so something could be coming in from below. Is it likely I've got a wasps nest?

What's the cheapest way to get rid of it without chemicals?

Mojisola

Are they quite big wasps? If so, they could be queens which have woken up a bit early.

Most nests die off in the autumn.

happenstance

Yeah they are quite big. If they are queens does that mean they have laid eggs and are waking up from their nest?

Mojisola

happenstance wrote: »

Yeah they are quite big. If they are queens does that mean they have laid eggs and are waking up from their nest?

No, they are waking up from their hibernation spot and will be looking for a place to start a new nest. They are quite choosy and will fly around and survey lots of places before they start building a nest. They won't lay eggs until the nest have been started.

Mojisola

http://waspman.net/common-wasps/32-wasp-life-cycle.html

It's likely that these early queens won't survive if we have a cold spell - it is very early to see them around.

Gordon_Hose

I've had a couple in my house now. I just caught them in a glass and put them outside.

happenstance

I'm still getting them, one silently creptup on me and stung me while I was watching TV. Time to call in the pest control?

Mojisola

happenstance wrote: »

What's the cheapest way to get rid of it without chemicals?

happenstance wrote: »

I'm still getting them, one silently creptup on me and stung me while I was watching TV. Time to call in the pest control?

Pest control will use chemicals so why not try with the ones you can buy yourself?

Hedgehog99

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

I've had a couple in my house now. I just caught them in a glass and put them outside.

Although it is sad to kill them, killing one queen wasp now saves a whole nest of thousands having to be killed later. While wasps provide useful services in some ways, they're a nightmare if you have a nest at home and are dangerous in populated areas where people could be allergic to their stings.

If you find a small nest that's just starting, you can deal with it using ant powder or wasp nest powder. A little at the entrance at dusk means they'll all tread it in.

happenstance

Well I've heard that pest control can just use ground up crocus bulbs so totally non toxic.

In getting them at the weekend when the log burner is on and the lounge is very hot. Does that mean the nest is probably in the loft?

Mojisola

happenstance wrote: »

Well I've heard that pest control can just use ground up crocus bulbs so totally non toxic.

A professional pest controller is more likely to use a professional-only chemical (ones that are stronger than those available to the general public) than crocus bulbs.