Wasp nest removal in Apeldoorn: where is the nest?
A wasp colony starts in spring with a single queen, who builds a nest roughly the size of a ping-pong ball. Over the summer it grows into a grey, papery structure housing a sizeable colony. The usual spots:
- inside a cavity wall, given away by wasps using the same open joint or weep vent in the brickwork
- under roof tiles and behind the fascia boards along the roofline
- in garden sheds, log cabins, outbuildings and woodpiles
- in bird boxes, dense hedges and in the ground beneath a shrub or paving slab
A busy flight path tells you the nest is just behind that opening.
How we deal with wasps
During the inspection we identify the species and work out how to reach the nest. We prefer to treat in the late afternoon or evening, once the workers are back inside. A certified pest controller then applies a professional product into the entrance or directly into the nest; such products are not sold for private use.
Expect to see a few wasps the following day: foragers return and still pick up the product. Things usually settle down within a few days. An empty nest in the cavity can stay where it is, because wasps do not move back into an old nest the next year.
Bee nest removal in Apeldoorn
Not every buzzing nest belongs to wasps. Bees are rounder and hairy, while wasps are shiny yellow and black with a narrow waist. We do not exterminate honey bees. If a swarm hangs from a branch like a bunch of grapes in May or June, or a colony moves into a hollow tree or a chimney, a beekeeper (imker) can collect and rehome the bees, and we can point you to one.
Bumblebees are left in peace wherever possible. A bumblebee colony in a bird box, under the decking or in the insulation of a shed stays small and dies off naturally at the end of summer. If a bee nest really is in the way, for example in the cavity next to a bedroom window, we look at the options with you and, where needed, refer you to a beekeeper.
Hornet nest removal in Apeldoorn
Two hornet species matter here. The European hornet is the largest wasp in the Netherlands, reddish-brown and yellow, and nests in hollow trees, sheds and large bird boxes. As long as nobody disturbs its nest it is fairly calm, although it is drawn to lit windows in the evening. The Asian hornet is slightly smaller, mostly black with an orange-yellow face and yellow legs, and hunts honey bees.
An Asian hornet nest is often built high up in a tree and usually only comes into view once the leaves fall. Report a sighting on waarneming.nl and do not go after it yourself with a stick or a hose. Removing a hornet nest is work for a professional with equipment for working safely at height.
Why you should not tackle a wasp nest yourself
Wasps defend their nest fiercely and call in reinforcements when threatened. Anyone who goes at it with an aerosol, a bucket of water or a stick can quickly collect a string of stings, often while on a ladder with nowhere to go. For someone with a wasp sting allergy that is genuinely dangerous.
Do not seal the entrance with sealant or a wad of paper either. The wasps will look for another way out and sometimes end up indoors through a socket or a recessed ceiling light. Wasp nest removal in Apeldoorn is better left to us; until we arrive, simply stay out of the flight path.
Preventing a new nest next year
In April and May young queens look for a spot for their first small nest. Check the shed, summerhouse, carport and loft during those weeks; at a few centimetres across, a starter nest is still easy to remove. Fit purpose-made vent covers into open joints in the brickwork, so the cavity can still breathe but wasps cannot get in.
A shed with bird food, food scraps or a compost heap beside it attracts more than just wasps. If you also spot burrows or large droppings there, read more about rat control. Our pest control in Apeldoorn covers other pests in and around the house as well.
