A June wasp nest is the size of a walnut
By August, the same nest will be the size of a football and home to hundreds of inhabitants.
Wasps tend to attract attention in late summer, when their numbers grow and they begin taking an active interest in food on the table. By then, the nest has long been built and populated, making its removal considerably more difficult and dangerous.
In early June, however, that same nest is a small structure the size of a walnut, founded by a single overwintered female. The difference in the effort required in June and August is roughly proportional to the difference between those two sizes.
Where to look first: under the roof ridge and eaves, in the attic, in ventilation openings, under wall cladding, in sheds and on porches, in old beehives, and among stacks of boards. In short — anywhere dry, quiet, and sheltered from above.
What not to do, whether in June or especially in August: knock the nest down with a stick, set it on fire, or douse it with water. Wasps defend their nest aggressively and can sting repeatedly; for someone with an allergy, this is a matter of safety, not discomfort.
Any work should be carried out at dusk, when the colony is together and less active, wearing clothing that covers the body and using a targeted product. If the nest is large, is in a hard-to-reach place, or someone in the household is allergic to stings, it is wiser not to play the hero and to call in professionals.
