Wasps are active from the spring when the queen starts laying eggs but the nest can become a hive of activity from June through to September and it’s at this time, you’ll likely notice them around your home and in your garden.
Unlike bees, it’s okay to kill and remove wasp nests but how much does this cost, what is the going rate?
First things first; you don’t actually need to remove the nest. Wasp nests are made from a paper-like material that won’t cause any harm or damage to your property. To get rid of the wasps, you’ll need to have the nest treated and then if you wish, it can be physically removed at a later date when the wasps are all dead.
How Much Does it Cost to Kill a Wasp Nest?
In 2022 we got in touch with 15 pest control firms and asked them how much they charge to kill a wasp nest with chemicals.
In the table below, you can see the average price pest control expects are charging for these treatments:
| Project: | Price: |
|---|---|
| Wasp nest treatment | £85 |
| Follow up treatment (rarely required) | £40 |
| Removal of the nest (not needed once treated) | £variable |
What you need to know about these prices:
- These prices include VAT.
- They exclude the cost of physically removing the nest from the property.
- Pest control experts can use long lances to reach high places such as roofs and trees but the prices displayed obviously exclude scaffold etc for reaching even higher locations.
How Wasp Nests are Killed
To effectively kill a wasp nest, the pest control expert will cover entry points with a fine powder which dusts the wings of the wasps as they enter and exit the nest.
The wasps then carry the chemical into the nest where it spreads and kills all the wasps present.
Contrary to what many people assume, the operator doesn’t need to dust the powder directly onto the nest as the small amount the wasps carry into the nest will be sufficient to kill all the wasps present; usually within 24 hours.
The powder is so effective that it can be dusted anywhere the wasps use to access the nest, including gaps, cracks and small holes in timber or brick etc.
Success Rate
The success rate of chemical powder is over 95% and repeat applications are rarely required.
If you are concerned about extra costs, ask your chosen pest control expert about any discounts they offer for follow-up treatments.
Cost to Remove a Wasp Nest
Wasp nests can’t be removed while they are still active, they should first be treated with the chemical powder and once all the wasps are dead, the nest can be removed. This is usually done a week or two after the chemical treatment.
It’s worth pointing out again that most people don’t remove wasp nests, they just have them treated with a powder chemical.
If you want to the wasp nest physically removed then the cost will vary as a nest up in a tree is easy to remove, but one hidden in a roof void could take hours to pull out and there could be damage to the roof structure that will need to be repaired.
Physical wasp nest removals generally cost between £65 and £200 depending on where they’re located and how easy they are to pull out.
The wasp nest shown above was located in the void just above a porch, while it was easy to kill with chemicals, its physical removal first required the dismantling of the ceiling cladding.
The photos here are actually of a very old wasp nest that was treated several years earlier, there was no need to physically remove it as it wasn’t causing any harm or damage.
If you’re wondering what the inside of a wasp nest looks like, here is a good photo of the same nest:
How to Stop Wasps From Building Another Nest
Once treated, the wasps in the nest will die and won’t be able to build another nest anywhere.
However, new wasps may migrate to your property and attempt to build a new nest, they will seek out places such as porches, lofts, rooflines and also sheds, garages, and other dry sheltered locations.
If you’ve previously had a nest treated with a chemical, wasps shouldn’t return to the same spot as the powder persists and can kill wasps many years after application.
However, it’s prudent to block up any obvious entrance holes and gaps in walls, roofs, around pipes or anywhere else the wasps used to gain access to the void.
Mastic sealant is perfect for gap sealing as it’s cheap, easy to use and lasts for decades while expanding foam or other fillers might be more appropriate for larger gaps.
Wasp-proofing an entire home isn’t always practical as there are so many gaps and holes these pests can use to gain access to your property but if you start with filling any gaps near voids such as under porch ceilings and near the loft, you’ll be off to a good start.
If you don’t like DIY, general handymen undertake this work and will be able to assist you.
DIY Treatment Options
DIY wasp nest products are very effective and affordable and a typical bottle of nest powder costs less than £10, however, there is a catch.
You need to get close to the entrance points where the wasps access the void where the nest is located. If that’s up a tree or at the top of a roof, then the DIY option might not be a good idea and you should consider hiring a professional.
Powders are best suited to places where one can easily gain access.
There are several liquid/foam sprayer products on the market and these are great for squirting a nest that’s up to four metres away but won’t be of much use if the nest is hidden, they work best when you can have a clear line of sight to the nest as they must come in direct contact with it.
The Best Time to Kill a Wasp Nest
If you’re using the services of a professional, they will treat the nest during the day but if you want to try the DIY route then the best time would be an hour or two before sunset.
Wasps will be busy outside the nest during the day and the more active they are, the more likely they are to sting you. By leaving it until later you’ll find it easier to get closer to the nest or entrance holes.
Also, at the end of the day, the wasps will return to the nest where they will carry the powder to the queen and the remaining wasps, killing them.
The best time for DIYers to treat a nest is in the evening but the powder products are generally effective at any time.
How Long it Takes For the Wasps to Die
Powder chemical treatments usually kill the wasps within 24 hours but the foam-based product may take longer and some worker wasps may persist for several days after treatment.
If you want to physically remove the nest, either wait a week or so or get some long, thick gloves as the wasps can still sting, even after they are dead.
You May Also Like:
- An overview of pest control prices in the UK
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- Rat control and removal
- Woodworm treatment
- Silverfish treatment.
This guide to wasp nest prices and DIY options was written by Danny Woodley and was last updated in May 2022.
Don’t forget; we have price guides for hundreds of home improvement and maintenance projects.
Prices for the treatment of other common household pests can be found here.
