As summer draws to a close, people all over Ireland have been enjoying the great weather before it’s too late. However, rising summer temperatures also results in a significant presence of pests such as wasps. To make matters worse, if predicted weather forecasts are to be believed, then wasps may be here to stay for a bit longer than what was hoped. Heavy rainfall limits wasps’ chance of survival, making it difficult for wasps to remain highly populated in the months ahead. Areas in Ireland that have seen low amounts of rainfall are likely to see wasps thrive in numbers. High temperatures make perfect conditions for wasps.
Ireland’s Most Affected Counties for Wasps
The west of Ireland is a popular tourist destination during the summer months but it also seems to be a popular destination for wasps. *44% of our wasp callouts (January to July 2022) in Ireland occurred in Galway and Mayo alone. However, this does not mean that the rest of Ireland is safe from the stinging insects and we would recommend that everyone take the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of wasps entering your home.
H2 – How to Keep Wasps Away
When it comes to pests, prevention is always easier rather than trying to treat an active infestation. Simple everyday lifestyle changes can help to deter this stinging pest.
- Check for nests – Check your home and garden in early spring for wasp nests. During Spring, nests are roughly the size of a walnut or golf ball. Smaller nests have fewer wasps and are therefore easier to treat. Wasp nests tend to be prevalent in lofts, garages, sheds, cavity walls or under eaves.
- Secure bins – Wasps are attracted to bins due to potential sources of food so it’s important to ensure outside bins have tightly fitting lids. Where possible, bins should be kept at a distance from doors and windows to reduce the risk of nearby wasps entering your home.
- Keep windows and doors shut – Wasps main source of entry into homes is through doors and windows so keeping windows shut will reduce to risk of the stinging insects getting inside.
Wasp Nest Killer
It is important to note you should not use wasp nest killer products unless you know how to use them effectively and safely. Whilst it is not advised to attempt to remove a wasp nest yourself, there are certain precautions you must take in order to avoid injury:
- Remove the wasp nest at night time – wasps are more docile at night time and less likely to sting when disturbed.
- Protective clothing – Any wasps that become alert may be likely to sting so you should try to cover as much of your body as possible in protective clothing such as gloves, long sleeves, etc.
- Avoid torches – Torches and lanterns will alert the wasps to your presence and will make it considerably more difficult to remove the nest.
Professional Wasp Nest Removal
Removing wasp nests can be a difficult task and due to the potential of injury or stings, we would recommend contacting a pest control professional. Pest control specialists have access to professional products and safety equipment, along with significant experience of how best to get rid of wasp nests.
If you are unsure about a wasp nest near your property, contact Rentokil Pest Control today for professional advice and solutions.
*Figures generated based on Rentokil Pest Control Ireland wasp call-outs from Jan- July 2022
Leave a Reply