Read this first
Keep people and pets away from the nest and do not spray it, hit it or block the hole. If anyone who has been stung has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or feels faint, call 000 now.
A wasp nest near the house is one job you should not have a go at yourself. Around Sydney it is usually paper wasps, with their open papery nests, or European wasps, which hide the nest in the ground or in a wall. Both defend the nest and can sting more than once. The first step is always the same: keep your distance.
What to look for
Signs you have them
- A steady stream of wasps flying in and out of one spot: a gap in the wall, the eaves, a vent or a hole in the ground.
- A grey, papery nest under the eaves, a pergola, the fence or in a shrub.
- A buzzing or humming sound inside a wall or ceiling.
- Wasps coming and going low to the ground around a garden bed, rockery or retaining wall.
- Wasps hanging around outdoor meals, sweet drinks, bins or pet food.
- More wasps each week through the warmer months, which means a nest is growing nearby.
Usual hiding spots
Where they hide
- Under eaves, pergolas, verandahs and gutters.
- In wall cavities, roof voids and chimneys, reached through small gaps and vents.
- In the ground, in retaining walls and in rockeries. Some wasps nest where you cannot see anything but a hole.
- In trees, shrubs, sheds, cubby houses and compost bins.
- In letterboxes, meter boxes and outdoor furniture.
The honest version
Why it matters
Stings hurt, and wasps can sting repeatedly. Disturb a nest and you will meet most of it.
For some people a sting causes a severe allergic reaction. Trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness after a sting is an emergency: call 000.
Nests grow through the warmer months. A small one in spring is a large one by late summer.
A nest by a door, path, play area or pool puts children and pets in its way every day.
Before we get there
What to do, and what not to
Do this now
- Keep people and pets well away from the nest.
- Close nearby windows and doors.
- Watch from a safe distance to see where they are going in and out, and take a photo if you can do it safely.
- Keep food and sweet drinks covered outdoors.
- Tell neighbours if the nest is near a shared fence or path.
- Call us with what you have seen.
Do not do this
- Do not spray it, hose it, hit it or throw anything at it.
- Do not block the entrance hole. They will find another way out, and it may be into the house.
- Do not mow or use a whipper snipper near a ground nest.
- Do not go up a ladder to get a closer look.
Our part
How we deal with it
Every home is different, so the detail comes with the quote. This is how a job like yours usually runs.
Identify
Paper wasps and European wasps nest differently. We work out which you have and where the nest actually is.
Assess
We look at where it is, how to get to it safely and who is nearby, then tell you the options.
Treat
We deal with the nest using the right method and protective gear for the job.
Advise
We tell you when the area is fine to use again and what to do about the gap they were using.
Asked a lot
Wasps: common questions
Something else on your mind? Put it in the quote form and we will answer it when we reply.
What kind of wasp is it?
Paper wasps are slender with long legs and build an open, papery nest you can usually see. European wasps are stockier, bright yellow and black, and usually nest out of sight in the ground or a wall. A photo from a safe distance is enough for us to tell.
Do you remove bees?
No. We do not deal with bees. A local beekeeper or swarm collector is the right person for a bee swarm or hive. We treat wasp nests.
Can I just leave a wasp nest alone?
If it is far from where people and pets go, sometimes. But nests get bigger through the warmer months, and one near a door, path, play area or pool is a risk that grows with it.
What should I do if someone is stung?
Move away from the nest first. If the person has trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or feels faint, call 000 immediately. For anything else you are worried about, get medical advice.
The rest of the line-up
Other pests
Got wasps?
Better call Saulo. Send the details and a photo of what you are seeing and we will come back with a quote.