Wasp nest removal in Haarlem: how we work
During the day much of the colony is out foraging. That is why we prefer to treat towards the end of the afternoon or early in the evening, once the workers are home. Our technician then applies a professional product into the entrance hole or straight into the nest – products that only certified pest controllers are allowed to use.
In practice, wasp nest removal means putting the colony out of action; we do not need to break open a cavity wall for it. Wasps returning from a last trip may circle for a while afterwards. That dies down on its own, and an empty nest is never reused the following year.
How to spot a wasp nest
Wasps become a real nuisance in late summer, when the colony is at its largest and the workers go looking for sugar. You will not always see the nest itself, so watch for these signs:
- Wasps disappearing again and again at the same point: a crack in the brickwork, an air vent or the edge of a roof tile.
- A greyish-brown, papery ball under the eaves, in a bird box or among stored items in the shed.
- Wasps turning up indoors by a lamp or window while everything is shut – the nest may be in the cavity or the loft.
- A hole in the lawn or a flower bed with wasps flying in and out.
Bee nest removal in Haarlem
We do not kill honey bees. If a cluster of bees hangs from a branch, fence or wall in spring or early summer, it is a swarm looking for a new home. A beekeeper (imker) can collect it and settle it in a hive. If a colony has already moved into a cavity wall or chimney, we look for a solution with you and, where possible, refer you to a beekeeper.
With bumblebees our advice is nearly always to leave them be. They rarely sting, and their nest is abandoned once summer is over. The same goes for solitary bees in old mortar joints or holes in timber. Not sure whether you have a bee nest or a wasp nest? Describe it over the phone and we will help.
Hornet nest removal in Haarlem
The Asian hornet is an invasive species that hunts honey bees at the hive. In spring a queen starts a small nest in a sheltered spot such as a shed, carport or dense shrub. Later on, the colony often moves to a large, round nest high up in a tree, which may only become visible once the leaves fall. Look for a dark body with a single broad orange band and yellow tips to the legs. Report sightings on waarneming.nl and keep your distance: a nest like that should be removed by a professional with the right equipment.
The European hornet is larger, reddish-brown and yellow, and also flies towards lights after dark. It nests in hollow trees, bird boxes and sheds. A hornet nest that is out of the way can stay; one beside a door or play area we treat.
What not to do yourself
Tackling a nest yourself looks simple but often ends in stings. We strongly advise against:
- Sealing or taping up the entrance – the wasps will look for another way out, sometimes into the house.
- Emptying a supermarket spray can into the hole. It agitates the colony but rarely finishes it off.
- Hitting a hanging nest with a stick or broom.
- Pouring water or anything flammable into a ground nest.
If you hear scratching in the cavity rather than buzzing, a rodent is the more likely culprit – read more about mouse control.
Preventing a new nest
Good wasp control really starts in April or May, when a young queen is looking for a site. Loose tiles, open weep vents and gaps by the fascia can be covered with mesh or a suitable grille, without blocking the ventilation of the cavity.
In summer, cover sweet drinks and fruit outdoors, keep the bin lid shut and fit insect screens to the windows. For mice, moths or other pests in and around the house, our pest control in Haarlem service is here to help.
