Wasp nest removal in Arnhem: how we work
Follow the flight path and you will nearly always find the nest: the workers fly in and out of a single opening in an almost straight line. That entrance is where we do our work. We prefer to come towards evening, when most of the colony is inside, and apply a professional insecticide directly into the opening – a job reserved for a certified pest controller.
A nest inside a cavity wall, under roof tiles or behind a fascia board does not have to be dug out. The wasps themselves carry the product into the nest. The empty nest can stay where it is, because wasps do not reuse an old nest the following year.
Wasp, bee or bumblebee? How to tell
First, we need to know which insect you have: that decides whether treatment is needed at all.
- Wasps are smooth and bright yellow and black, with a narrow waist; their nest is grey and papery.
- Honey bees are browner and hairier, and a swarm hangs like a bunch of grapes from a branch or hedge.
- Bumblebees are round and furry and often nest in the ground or in a bird box.
- Hornets are noticeably bigger than wasps; the Asian species is dark with yellow legs.
- A ticking or crackling sound inside a ceiling or wall often means a large wasp nest behind it.
Bee nest removal in Arnhem
We do not exterminate honey bees. They matter for pollinating gardens, allotments and orchards, and a swarm that settles in your hedge in late spring can be collected by a beekeeper (imker) and given a new hive. A bee nest that has moved into a cavity wall, chimney or hollow tree is trickier; we look at the options with you, and relocation by a beekeeper always comes first.
Bumblebees are left alone wherever possible, since their colony dies off by itself at the end of summer. Mason bees in old mortar joints are harmless too and very rarely sting.
Hornet nest removal in Arnhem
There are two hornet species you may come across in the Netherlands. The European hornet is the largest, reddish-brown and yellow, and builds in hollow trees, nest boxes, sheds and lofts. It is calmer than its size suggests and will also fly towards lights after dark. A hornet nest somewhere nobody goes can often be left in peace.
The Asian hornet is an invasive species that preys on honey bees. It is dark, almost black, with yellow-tipped legs and a single orange-yellow band on the abdomen. In spring the queen starts a small nest under a porch roof or overhang; in summer the colony often moves to a large nest high up in a tree. Report sightings on waarneming.nl and always leave removal to a professional.
Why DIY attempts often backfire
Reaching for a spray can from the DIY shop or filling the hole with sealant is tempting, but it often makes matters worse. A blocked entrance forces the wasps to find another way out, sometimes through a gap by a light fitting or skirting board straight into the room. A half-hearted spray mainly makes the colony aggressive.
- Never pour boiling water, petrol or other liquids into a ground nest.
- Don't knock a nest in the shed down with a broom.
- Don't climb a ladder to get at a nest under the gutter.
- If you are allergic to wasp stings, keep well away and leave it to us.
Preventing a new nest
In spring a queen looks for a dry, sheltered spot. If you check the loft, shed and roof edge at that time, you may spot a starter nest no bigger than a golf ball, which is simple to have removed. Fit vent grilles in open weep joints so the cavity can still breathe, cover other vents with fine insect mesh and straighten any slipped roof tiles.
Ground nests are often built in an abandoned rodent burrow. If you notice more holes or runs along the fence, read up on rat control as well. A garden with plenty of shelter rarely has just one visitor, which is why our pest control in Arnhem looks at the whole property.
