Wasp nest removal: what happens and what it costs

What does a technician do?

The technician first watches where wasps fly in and out. That entrance leads to the nest, which is often out of sight.

They then apply an insecticide powder or liquid to the nest, or at the entrance if the nest can’t be reached. Worker wasps carry it inside, and it kills the adults and the queen.

The nest is normally left where it is. Stroud District Council’s guidance explains that an old nest is never reused. If you want it gone, the BPCA says you can take it down in autumn or winter once no live wasps remain. Wear gloves, as it has been treated.

How quickly do the wasps die, and is it safe?

Expect wasps to keep flying for a while. The BPCA says that after a couple of days the wasps will die, but bigger nests take longer.

Stroud council advises staying away from the nest until you’re sure all the wasps are dead, which may take up to 10 days. A few may still fly about a week after treatment, as larvae in sealed cells hatch and then die.

Wasps can be agitated for a short time after treatment. The BPCA notes that children, older people, people with allergies and pets are particularly sensitive to stings.

• Keep children and pets away from the entrance until activity stops.
• Shut nearby windows if the nest is close to the house.
• Don’t block the entrance. The wasps need to carry the insecticide inside.
• If anyone has difficulty breathing, feels dizzy or has a swollen face after a sting, call 999.

What does it cost?

Provider	Price including VAT	What you get
Eleven Pest Control	From £79	1 visit, any nest. Callback within 30 minutes and a fixed price agreed on the phone.
Buckinghamshire Council	£72	Carried out by its contractor, Dial A Pest, with visits on set days per area.
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead	£45, plus £20 per additional nest	For RBWM residents. £27 for the first nest on qualifying benefits. Subject to a site risk assessment.

Council services are cheaper, so it’s worth checking them. The trade-off is fitting around their visit days. Which council you use depends on where you live: Stoke Poges, Burnham and Gerrards Cross are in Buckinghamshire, while Windsor is in RBWM.

For prices across every pest, see how much pest control costs in Buckinghamshire.

When is wasp season?

Queens come out of hibernation in spring as the weather warms and start new nests. A spring nest is about the size of a golf ball. Left alone, it can grow to the size of a beachball.

Nests are busiest in summer, with worker numbers peaking in August and September. After summer the wasps abandon the nest and don’t return to it the next year.

So a nest found early is easier to deal with. A nest with no live wasps in winter needs no treatment at all.

Why is DIY risky?

The BPCA calls DIY nest removal guides very dangerous. Unlike bees, wasps don’t die after stinging, so each one can sting several times. When threatened, they release a chemical that calls others to help.

Shop sprays are likely a waste of time on a large nest and may only work on small ones in early spring. Never try it yourself if you might be allergic to stings.

When should you call someone?

Call if the nest is near a door, window, path or play area, or if anyone at home is allergic. Check first that they’re wasps and not bees, using our guide to wasps or bees.

Eleven Pest Control treats wasp nests from £79 including VAT: 1 visit, any nest. We call back within 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm, and agree a fixed price on the phone. Visits are usually [same or next day]. See our wasp nest treatment page.