Wasps: finding the nest before it grows
The nest often hides in a wall, a roof or the ground: the coming and going gives it away.
Guide 08
Vespula vulgaris, Vespula germanica
Key points
Common and German wasps (Vespula vulgaris, Vespula germanica) are 12 to 17 mm long and live in annual colonies of several thousand individuals by late summer. They nest under roofs, in cavity walls or underground, and become persistent around sweet food in August and September. A nest near a doorway or path should be destroyed by an equipped professional.
The nest is made of chewed wood fibre that forms a kind of grey paper. It is often out of sight: in a roller-shutter box, under roof tiles, in a cavity wall, in an old burrow. You spot it by the workers' traffic through a single small opening.
The paper wasp (Polistes), slimmer, builds a small open nest hanging under a ledge and is much less aggressive. Identifying the species correctly avoids needless call-outs.
Spotting signs of wasps
- 1Steady traffic of wasps through a crack in a wall, roof or shutter box.
- 2A hole in the lawn with wasps coming out: an underground nest.
- 3Buzzing or scratching inside a wall or ceiling.
- 4Many wasps indoors, coming in through an opening near the nest.
Nuisance level
An indicative guide from our technicians, from 1 (moderate) to 5 (high).
- Health
- 3/5
- Damage
- 1/5
- Breeding
- 2/5
Why act
- Repeated stings: wasps keep their sting, unlike bees.
- Severe allergic reaction possible, sometimes from the first sting.
- A sting in the mouth or throat while drinking something sweet outdoors.
- Nests high up or inside a wall: a risky job without equipment.
Our treatment, in four stages
- 01
Locate
Locate: species and nest identified, entrances found, surrounding area made safe.
- 02
Treat
Treat: approved insecticide injected into the entrance or the nest, in protective clothing.
- 03
Check
Check: confirmation that the nest is no longer active.
- 04
Prevent
Prevent: advice on sealing the opening once the nest is inactive, without trapping live workers, photo report and active vigilance in spring.
Good everyday habits
What you can do to lower the risk of a new infestation.
- In spring, check shutter boxes, lofts and sheds, where queens settle.
- From late August, keep drinks and dishes covered when eating outside.
- Keep lids on bins and compost bins.
- Don't plug an entrance wasps are still using: they would dig another way out, sometimes into the house.
Your questions
Will wasps move back into the same nest next year?
No. The colony dies in autumn and the nest is not reused. A new queen may, however, build in the same spot if the access stays open.
Can we wait until winter?
Yes, provided nobody is allergic and the nest is well away from busy areas. If it is near a door, a terrace or a bedroom, it is better to have it destroyed promptly.
What should I do after a sting?
Remove rings and bracelets, wash with soap and water and apply something cold. If the face or throat swells, or you feel faint or have trouble breathing, call 15 or 112.
Wasps in your home or your business?
Flat, house, restaurant, shop or office: price including VAT shown before you book, 2-hour window, same-day photo report and advice to lower the risk of a return.