Start of wasp nest

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Davesnave wrote: »

Wasp nests here are usually in the field banks, which are riddled with animal holes. The wasps just take over an old burrow. Makes sense; why draw attention?

As they're usually a few hundred metres from the house, with plenty of food near the nest, they don't bother us much. I just need to know where they've taken up residence, so I don't start thrashing the ground around their entrances with the brushcutter!

In a rented property we had for a while, a few years back, there was a nest in the lawn. Every time I mowed, they'd come out and buzz around, but I think these ground-nesting wasps are of a type that isn't very aggressive. I was never stung by them.

Not correcting you Dave, but asking - could they have been one of the various mining bees instead? They often look more wasp like in conformation.

Davesnave

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Not correcting you Dave, but asking - could they have been one of the various mining bees instead? They often look more wasp like in conformation.

No. I've been aware of mining bees for a long time and I do know the difference between them and wasps, although I'd not say I'd spot the difference between the two species of wasp found in the UK.

It's not in a wasp's interests to behave aggressively around the nest. On the whole, they go out of their way not to be noticed within about 5metres.

[Deleted User]

The nest in my coalplace roof was about the size of a football. I sprayed it with an aerosol I got from Tescos, the instructions said to wait until evening when they're all at home, but I was impatient and didn't bother, so there were enough survivors to set up a new home in the neighbours hedge. Another squirt (in the evening this time) got rid of them for good.

APennySaved

Excellent advice all round. Shall keep the suggestions on this thread in mind (yes I have subscribed! wink-wink!) should any such wasp nest problem recur.

:beer:

AvaB

Spraying with chemicals is an option, however, I really don't recommend setting the nest on fire or using water to make the insects' drown. The only thing you can achieve is angering them or burn the whole place down... You have to keep in mind that DIY methods are not always effective, which means professional help may be the better way to go.