Getting rid of wasps yourself

What the law says

Wasps are not protected, and nothing prohibits killing them or destroying a nest. That is not true of everything that looks like a wasp. Honey bees have no blanket protection, but you should call a beekeeper through the BBKA for a swarm. Bumblebees should be left alone. If you think you have a yellow-legged (Asian) hornet, do not treat it. Photograph it from a distance and report it using the Asian Hornet Watch app.

When DIY is sensible

DIY suits a small, accessible nest, in the open garden or shed, well away from doors, windows and paths. Treat it at dusk, when the wasps are inside and calmer, from 4 to 5 metres, with a purpose-made powder or aerosol. Follow the label, wear covering clothes and keep children and pets away.

Never treat a nest near a door, in a loft, wall cavity, roof space or eaves. A wasp nest in an enclosed space is more dangerous to treat, and a cornered colony will find its way indoors. Do not use a ladder.

What not to do

Do not knock a nest down, hit it with a hose, burn it or block the entrance. The wasps will attack the nearest person, and a blocked nest may send wasps into the house. Do not use petrol or other home remedies. Do not try to treat a nest in the daytime, when many wasps are out and fly at you.

Wasp traps and sprays do not remove a nest, so they are a stopgap at most. If a wasp lands on you, stay calm and walk away.

When to call a professional

Call a professional for a nest bigger than a tennis ball, any nest in a cavity, roof or eaves, anything that needs a ladder, and anyone with a sting allergy. A professional treatment is usually one visit. See what wasp nest removal involves and how much it costs. Check what you have first with the identification guide.

Many councils also treat wasps for a fixed fee, though some do not, so check yours.

After the nest

Once the colony is dead, which takes 24 to 48 hours, the nest can stay or be removed. Wasps do not reuse it, because nests are annual. Leave a treated nest alone for a few days before you take it down, in case any wasps are still inside. To stop a new queen starting a nest in spring, seal gaps in the eaves and loft before March, and keep sheds shut. Wasps follow food, so cover bins and clear fallen fruit and drinks in late summer.