wasps - how to get rid?

[buzzingtalk]

Hi all

I recently got stung by a wasp and had a bad allergic reaction (not anaphalaptic though!) my arm swelled up for 4 days, got blisters etc and no amount of over the counter drugs could budge it, took a trip to the doctors to get it to calm down. even now a week on my skin is still blotchy etc.

Anyhow, this wasp was in my bedroom at the time resting on a towel which i wrapped on myself, which made it sting! I have since found lots of the buggers in my room, my OH got stung by one in bed last night and i have resolved to not openeing the windows in my loft bedroom at all (which is excruciatingly hot!).

I am guessing there is a nest somewhere, as i live in a city center and there is not much wildlife/gardens around for them to nest in, i have seen a few hovering around my marigold pot plants today and then flying back up the house towards the loft (where my bedroom is!). Last summer we didn't have one wasp in the room at all, so i am worried that we are getting 4-5 a day. I tend to find at least one dead/barely alive one on the floor every day too, what could this mean?

How do you get rid of wasps then? I can't use wasp killer spray as it really bothers my asthma, and i am considering putting mesh over my windows but it will be a pain to open and shut them if they are covered. i have also heard that you have to pay £££ to get a nest removed, and i just can't afford anything at the moment Does anyone have any ideas?? thanks.

[Corris]

I paid £30 to get my nest poisoned two days ago - he came all beesjacketed up and injected a powder into it.

Course you have to find it first.

[OverWyreGrower]

Local councils have a pest control service... usually between £40 - £80 for a nest removal I think... they may also be able to help locate the next for you

[Aberdeenplotter]

Course you have to find it first.

That's the difficult bit. Once you know where it is, one of the foam sprays will do the trick. Word of advice though. Do it in the dark. Keeps the damned things quiet

[buzzingtalk]

i have no idea where the nest could be currently - it could be in my bit of the roof, or either sides attics...just found another one in the room, squished it i am not too keen on looking in the attic as that means moving lots of stuff around to get into the side walls but also might mean i get stung...might wait til OH is home on monday

what should i be looking for, are there any typical signs of wasp activity even if there is not a nest?

[Corris]

If you watch them you'll see the line they are taking - we had them in our garage and they were in and out the hole about every 10 seconds or so... very busy indeed.

[rustylady]

Are there any gaps round the edges of the ceiling where they could be coming down from the loft. I am guessing it is an older house. My guess is that there is probably a nest, and it is probably in the loft. Is the whole house yours, or do you share it?

[taff]

have a look at your eaves, or your soffits. There may be a small hole that's letting them get into and out of the attic. My partner had a massive nest in there, had to get the council to come out and spray.

[Glutton4...]

Have a G**gle for the nearest pest controller in your area. Go for a 'One-man-band' type and call him. I paid £35 cash (£45 Cheque! ) and the fella came out and sorted it. Well worth the expense, in my opinion. I am allergic too!

[buzzingtalk]

cheers for the answers guys

Taff - have no idea what an eave or a soffit is!!

Rustylady - yes the whole house is mine. my bedroom is in the loft, on the third floor. no one else in the house has noticed more wasps than usual, whereas me and OH have. There are 2 hatches in our bedroom that lead to the two 'empty' bits of the roof, but I'd have to faff about moving furniture and stuff, and am not keen on getting stung! Am going to get OH to look for them. They seem to be coming into our room through the windows though as the 'hatches' were quite secure and good fitting last time I looked.

I was down in the garden earlier and noticed a few wasps; i followed them with my eyes and they flew up the side of the house towards the roof (but i couldnt see beyond the second floor to see which part of the roof, or if they went to either house on both sides). it is a fairly old house, but new renovation - we have never had wasps before.

It seems a bit weird that wasps would be flying up 3 stories for nothing...there must be a nest somewhere? I will have to locate the nest before I call someone as I just can't afford a wasted trip out for £30-40.

Glutton - sorry to hear you are allergic. Do you have to carry an epipen with you? I didn't know i was, I don't need adrenaline but it was the worst sting i've ever seen on someone, i am hoping it was a one off and that i won't get that reaction next time!

[Glutton4...]

I don't carry an Epipen (My Dad does) but I do have extra strong, prescription Antihistamine tablets with me at all time. Sorry to tell you but the next sting you get will be worse, as the effects are cumulative.

Forget finding the nest yourself - get the experts in - you may find the nest the hard way, and that's not worth thinking about...

[Corris]

i am Stalham side of town - and had a lovely man last week, if you need his number let me know.

[Two_Sheds]

Taff - have no idea what an eave or a soffit is!!

google it ? what is a soffit

[Aberdeenplotter]

The flat bit under the eaves.

[buzzingtalk]

Corris - yes please! I am in the city center but I might call him and see if he will come, it always helps to have a reccomendation. Thanks

Glutton - thanks, I didn't realise this! I will have to keep an eye out - I was prescribed fexofenadine, maybe I'll ask my doctor for some on repeat just in case! A week on and my arm is not swollen but the skin is very red and 'veiny' looking around the bite (about the size of two hands), looks like it is nearly bruised. very strange! Still itches like hell, and I just took my last fexofenadine, so we shall see what happens