Wasps are amongst the most dangerous stinging insects we get here in the UK. Indeed wasps – unlike bees – can sting repeatedly as their stingers aren’t barbed.

There are two types of wasps – social wasps and solitary wasps. The wasp that stings is a social wasp. Unfortunately, social wasps often make their nests near to or in places where they can be more than just a nuisance. To be sure, places like sheds, attics, and house eaves attract wasps in great numbers every year.

Naturally, you will not want wasps taking up residence anywhere near your home. So, if you notice the traffic of wasps increasing around your property, you should take steps to get rid of their nests as soon as possible.

The first thing you need to consider when it comes to destroying wasps nests is timing. Wasps are active in daylight hours so it is advisable to destroy a nest either after sunset or before sunrise. The actual process of wiping out a wasps nest is fairly straightforward. Locating the nest usually requires nothing more than observing wasp traffic around your property during dusk or dawn, when wasps are leaving or returning to the nest.

Once you’ve located the nest and waited for the sun to go down for the evening, you need to dress yourself with multiple layers of clothing, find a decent pair of gloves and arm yourself with some suitable pest control supplies i.e. a wasp nest killing agent.

The type of wasp nest killer you will need depends largely on where the nest is located.

For nests that are located underground, you will want to use a killing agent that is not labelled as a being ‘projectile spray’. Indeed, you will want very little spray for social wasp nests that are found underground.

For hanging nests, you will want a killing agent that IS labelled as being a ‘projectile spray’. This will allow you to deliver a stream of wasp poison around 15 feet and ensure you have a good head start should something go wrong!

When you are fully prepared, go out to the nest and spray the entrance liberally with your wasp killer (wearing a face mask or nose and mouth barrier will help you to avoid inhaling it). Most wasp poisons kill on contact so you should try and be methodical and deliberate in the way you spray. Sudden movements can attract attention so try and leave the area as slowly as you can (if possible!).

You may need to repeat this process twice or even three times to make certain the nest is 100 per cent destroyed. Once it is clear to see that the wasp traffic near your property has dropped to zero, you can knock down the nest (if it’s hanging), or fill it in with dirt and gravel (if it’s in the ground).

All being well, this should put an end to your wasp problem!