By the time July arrives, summer is in full swing. Gardens are being enjoyed, businesses are making the most of outdoor spaces, and windows and doors are left open to let the warm air in. Unfortunately, we’re not the only ones enjoying the weather.
July is one of the busiest months of the year for pest activity, with insects becoming increasingly active as temperatures rise. At ASW Pest Control, it’s also one of our busiest months for dealing with wasp nests, alongside increasing enquiries about ants, flies and other seasonal pests. Here’s what to look out for this month.
Wasps Are Now at Their Most Active
Earlier in the year, queen wasps were quietly building nests. By July, those nests have grown considerably, with hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of worker wasps leaving the nest every day in search of food. This is why you suddenly notice:
- Wasps hovering around patios and decking
- Increased activity near bins
- Wasps around outdoor eating areas
- Insects repeatedly flying into the same hole in a wall or roof
- Activity around sheds, garages and rooflines
For businesses, particularly pubs, cafés, restaurants, schools and hospitality venues, this can quickly become both a customer service issue and a health and safety concern.
One Wasp Doesn’t Usually Mean a Problem…
It’s perfectly normal to see the occasional wasp during the summer. However, what concerns us is persistent behaviour. If you repeatedly see wasps travelling to exactly the same location, there’s a good chance a nest is nearby. Many nests remain hidden inside:
- Loft spaces
- Wall cavities
- Under roof tiles
- Garden sheds
- Air vents
- Behind cladding
- Under decking
By the time you notice large numbers outside, the nest has often been active for several weeks.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Wasp Nest
Many people hope a nest will simply disappear on its own. Unfortunately, during July the opposite usually happens. Worker numbers continue to increase, making the nest more active every week. As colonies expand, wasps travel further in search of food, increasing the likelihood of encounters with people, pets and customers.
Attempting to block the entrance or spray a nest yourself can make the colony defensive and significantly increase the risk of stings. Professional treatment is always the safest option.
Other Summer Pests Making an Appearance
While wasps dominate much of our workload in July, they’re certainly not the only pests becoming more active.
Ants
Warm, dry conditions encourage ants to forage further afield. Once they discover a food source inside your property, long trails can quickly develop.
Flies
July’s warmer temperatures speed up breeding cycles, particularly around waste storage, drains and food preparation areas.
Birds Around Solar Panels
Pigeons continue to nest beneath solar panels throughout the summer, often creating noise, mess and potential damage to wiring if left unmanaged.
Rats and Mice
Rodents remain active throughout the summer and are commonly found around gardens, compost heaps, outdoor dining areas and commercial waste storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve noticed lots of wasps around my house. Should I be worried?
Not necessarily. Seeing individual wasps during summer is perfectly normal. However, if you’re seeing dozens throughout the day, or they all appear to be flying to the same location, it’s worth having the area inspected.
Why are wasps flying into the same hole in my wall?
This is one of the clearest signs of an active nest. Worker wasps follow established flight paths between the nest and nearby food sources. If they’re consistently using the same gap, they’re almost certainly entering or leaving a nest.
Can I remove a wasp nest myself?
We wouldn’t recommend it. DIY treatments often fail to reach the entire colony and disturbing the nest can cause wasps to become aggressive. Professional equipment and insecticides are designed to eliminate the nest safely and effectively.
Will the nest disappear in winter?
Yes. Wasp colonies naturally die out during autumn, but that doesn’t help if the nest is causing problems throughout summer. If the nest is affecting your home, business, or outdoor space, it’s usually best to have it dealt with sooner rather than later.
How quickly can you help?
We understand that wasp problems often need urgent attention, particularly for businesses or homes with young children and pets. Our team aims to respond quickly and provide safe, effective treatment to get your property back to normal as soon as possible.
July should be about enjoying your garden, welcoming customers, or making the most of the warmer weather, not worrying about wasps every time you step outside. If you’ve noticed persistent wasp activity, don’t ignore it. Early treatment is safer, quicker and helps prevent the problem becoming much larger as summer continues.
Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner or facilities manager, we are here to help.
Call us on 0800 592011 or contact us online to arrange an inspection or wasp nest treatment.
