Eliminating wasps from your home: Don’t keep things sweet

Although it’s a common misconception that all wasps die out in the winter (some manage to hibernate during the chilly months), you’re likely to be at most risk of an infestation during the late summer.

This is because this is the time of year that worker wasps go crazy for sweet substances and become a nuisance to humans in the process. Make your home or garden too tempting for a swarm and you may well need to call on the services of an exterminator. If you’ve got pest control insurance, all or some of the cost of this could be covered under your policy.

Of course, prevention is always better than cure. And in this case, it’s in your best interests considering that wasps have a nasty sting that can prove fatal to some people.

The biggest thing to remember is that wasps love sweet stuff, so this should be eliminated as much as possible inside and outside the home. Here’s how:

In the kitchen

There’s no need to stop buying sweet foods, be they juicy fruit or biscuits. But they need to be covered, ideally in sealable containers. A fruit bowl might look decorative, but it could also tempt a passing wasp. Also avoid allowing scraps to build up on crockery by the sink – either load it straight into the dishwasher or at least give it a quick rinse if you’re planning to do the washing up later.

Close to the home

Always ensure that your dustbins have tight-fitting lids. This should not only ensure that wasps aren’t attracted to your rubbish, but can also act as a deterrent to other pests such as rats and mice.

Around the garden

The way you look after your garden can also have an effect on the risk of wasp infestation. Keep bushes neat and tidy and avoid throwing anything sweet on the compost heap. If you’ve got fruit trees, be careful to clear away any fallen fruit as soon as possible.

How to get rid of wasps

It’s not recommended that you deal with getting rid of a wasp nest yourself. Some local councils may offer an extermination service, where there’s likely to be a charge. Alternatively, you could contact a private exterminator. This is where having pest cover could come in handy, as the cost of the work could be partly or entirely included with your policy. With wasp infestations a yearly threat at this time of year, having this type of insurance in place could offer real peace of mind.