Removing wasp nest from porch

danrv

Hi
I'm renewing the wood panelling on the side of my porch and there's two large wasps nests in the void.
One came away with the old wood with only a few small wasps flying around.
The other is a bit further in and intact and would like to get it out if possible. It's about the width of a football.
There's no activity or noise coming from it and just wondering if nests are usually built this time of year. It may be an old one though.
Any help appreciated.

theoretica

Wasps only use their nests for a year.  Poke it with a long stick and if it isn't obviously in use you are probably fine! 

plumb1_2

Get plenty of insulation inside there 

danrv

plumb1_2 said:

Get plenty of insulation inside there 

Ok. Wasn’t planning to. I won’t be able to reach right across as it’s just under 3m wide.

plumb1_2

Use a piece of your shiplap to move it across 

TELLIT01

If it's only a porch there's really not much value in insulating it.

ashe

TELLIT01 said:

If it's only a porch there's really not much value in insulating it.

If the porch is cold though wont that draw heat from the room next to it?

Mojisola

danrv said:

I'm renewing the wood panelling on the side of my porch and there's two large wasps nests in the void.
One came away with the old wood with only a few small wasps flying around.
The other is a bit further in and intact and would like to get it out if possible. It's about the width of a football.
There's no activity or noise coming from it and just wondering if nests are usually built this time of year. It may be an old one though.

It will be an old one - if it was this year's nest, the occupants would have let you know by now!

Why do you want to remove it - it isn't doing any harm.

It's just made of chewed-up wood and may (some people say) deter new queens from starting a new nest close by next Spring.

danrv

Mojisola said:

Why do you want to remove it - it isn't doing any harm.

It's just made of chewed-up wood and may (some people say) deter new queens from starting a new nest close by next Spring.

Yes, I read about that.
It’s out now anyway. Prodded it with a stick as previously suggested then used a hoe to 
knock it down and rake out. 
Also read that dormant ones can attract moisture and mould.

danrv

TELLIT01 said:

If it's only a porch there's really not much value in insulating it.

The plasterboard ceiling is metal coated too. 

Mistral001

Wasps' nests are the colour of light brown paper and fairly smooth on the outside. Maybe it is just the photograph, but that football size thing is white and has knobbly bits on the outside.