Buzz Off: Expert Tips for Dealing with a Wasp Nest in Your Neighbour’s Garden

The majority of people don’t enjoy the buzzing of wasps while trying to enjoy a BBQ on a hot summer day. Furthermore, some individuals are allergic to them or may have a phobia of wasps. If a wasp nest is in your own garden, it is relatively easy to remove, but it can be more challenging if the nest is in your neighbour’s garden and causing you inconvenience.

This article examines the options available for removing a wasp nest in your neighbour’s garden, including who to contact and answering frequently asked questions.

A wasp nest in your neighbour’s garden can become a nuisance if the wasps are invading your own garden and spoiling your summer. While a single nest may not be dangerous, a large number of wasps can pose a problem. Even if there is just one wasp nest this may be enough to cause worry to a neighbour.

Potential problems with a wasp nest in your neighbour’s garden include:

• Wasps can be unpleasant, especially if they are targeting you. They can be relentless, which can ruin your enjoyment of your garden.
• The risk of getting stung, particularly worrying if you or someone in your household is allergic.
• The risk of pets getting stung.
• If you panic and cause distress to the wasps, they will signal to their mates for help, potentially leading to a swarm of angry wasps.
• Nests can be difficult to remove without the assistance of pest control, which comes with a fee.
• Increased anxiety and stress, especially if your neighbour refuses to remove the nest and you have a phobia of wasps.
• Large swarms of wasps may make you uncomfortable about opening windows, especially when it’s warm outside.
• Wasps are territorial and can become aggressive, but hopefully this should not be a problem if the nest is situated on your neighbour’s property.

What to do if your neighbour has a wasp nest?

If your neighbour has a wasp nest and it is affecting you, firstly, speak with your neighbour about how the wasp nest is impacting you. Then, seek advice from your council / pest control company. If your neighbour is unwilling to remove the nest, you may need to cover the cost.

Talk to your neighbour:

Explain how the wasp nest is impacting you and see if they are willing to have it removed. If you are allergic to wasps, make sure to let them know. If your neighbour is in a rented property, you could ask to talk to their landlord. If your neighbour is unwilling to provide his landlord’s contact details, you may be interested in my article that details how find out who the owner of a property is.

Contact your local council:

Some councils offer a wasp nest removal service for a fee, typically around £60-100. Contact your local authority to see if this service is offered in your area. You could offer to split the cost of wasp nest removal with your neighbour. This could be a good option if they are unwilling or unable to pay for the removal themselves. It’s important to have open and honest conversation with your neighbour and come to a mutually beneficial agreement.

Another option is, you could also offer to pay the entire cost of the removal yourself if the nest is causing significant discomfort or disturbance to you and your daily life. Ultimately, the decision is yours and it depends on how much the presence of the wasp nest is impacting you and how much you are willing to invest to get it removed.

Hire a professional pest control company:

If the council does not offer a wasp nest removal service or your neighbour is unwilling to remove the nest, you can hire an independent pest control company to safely and effectively remove the nest. However, you will need your neighbours permission for the pest control company to go onto your neighbours land.

You can find a professional pest control company through British Pest Control Association.

Seek further advice:

If you feel that the wasp nest is creating a health and safety risk or is impacting your quality of life, you can seek further advice from your council or potentially seek legal advice to see if there are any other options available to you.

Will the council remove a wasp nest?

Councils do not typically remove wasp nests for free, but some councils do offer a wasp nest removal service for a fee, typically around £60-100. To see if this service is offered, you will need to contact your local authority.

If the service is not provided, consider hiring an independent pest control company to safely and effectively remove the nest.

Who is responsible for wasp nest, landlord or tenant?

It is important to check your tenancy agreement as it will state who is responsible for the removal of pests. Generally, if the nest has appeared due to a property defect, the landlord would be responsible for its removal. However, if the nest appeared without any defect, it would typically be the tenant’s responsibility.

However, this can vary from case to case and it is always good to consult with your landlord, management company or housing association.

Is it legal to destroy a wasp nest?

In the UK, it is legal to destroy a wasp nest as there are no laws protecting wasps or their nests. However, as wasps can become aggressive when they feel threatened, it is advisable to hire a professional pest control service to remove the nest safely.

Wasps are not protected by the World Wildlife Fund and are considered pests, so it is acceptable to remove a nest from your property without permission.

Can you be ordered to remove a wasp nest?

It is highly unlikely that you would be ordered to remove a wasp nest, as wasps are generally not seen as a significant risk to health and safety. Additionally, as wasp nests are typically short-lived, it is unlikely that a neighbour would take the issue to court.

Wasps don’t return to the same nest, so you may need to try and live with it for the summer, until the nest dies off.

How to not get stung from wasps?

If wasps are causing you mayhem and you are waiting for the nest to be removed from your neighbours property, there are some tips you can follow to try and reduce your chances of getting stung:

• Avoid swatting at wasps, as this can agitate them and make them more likely to sting you.
• Use a repellent spray or a commercial wasp trap in your garden to discourage wasps from entering your property.
• If a wasp is flying around you, stand still and wait for it to leave.
• Avoid wearing brightly coloured clothing or floral patterns, as wasps are attracted to these colours.
• Avoid wearing perfume or scented products, as they can attract wasps.
• Keep food and drinks covered when outside, as wasps are attracted to sweet and sugary substances.
• Keep bins closed and dispose of food scraps promptly.
• Keep windows and doors closed, so wasps can’t enter your house.
• Put up a ‘waspinator’ in your garden to try and deter the wasps.

It’s important to remember that it’s best not to disturb the nest since this will cause the wasps to become agitated and more likely to sting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a wasp nest in your neighbour’s garden can be a nuisance, but it’s important to approach it in a safe and effective manner. By following our tips and communicating with your neighbour, you should hopefully be able to successfully remove the nest.

Remember to always prioritise your safety and seek professional help if the situation becomes too dangerous to handle. With these tips in mind, you can hopefully enjoy a wasp-free environment in your neighbourhood.