How to Deal With Underground Wasp Nests in Ashford, Kent
If you've noticed increased wasp activity near your lawn, flower beds, or patio, you might be facing an underground wasp nest — a common summer problem in Ashford, Kingsnorth, and surrounding Kent villages. These nests, often built by yellow jackets, can be dangerous if disturbed.
In this guide, our experts at Pest-Mate Pest Control explain how to identify, safely handle, and prevent underground wasp nests — with specific advice for residents within 25 miles of Ashford.
What Are Underground Wasp Nests?
Underground wasp nests are often built by aggressive species like yellow jackets, who dig or repurpose holes in the ground to form complex colonies. These nests can house hundreds to thousands of wasps, making them particularly hazardous if accidentally disturbed by children, pets, or lawn equipment.
How to Identify an Underground Wasp Nest
- Frequent wasp activity going in/out of a small hole in the ground
- Increased aggression or stings when mowing or walking nearby
- A constant buzzing sound near a flowerbed or compost pile
- Nests often hidden under rocks, logs, garden sheds, or patios
Are Underground Wasp Nests Dangerous?
- Highly aggressive if disturbed
- Capable of multiple stings per wasp
- A threat to kids, pets, and anyone allergic to wasp venom
- Often located in high-traffic areas like footpaths, lawns, or driveways
How to Safely Remove an Underground Wasp Nest
Important: Never attempt removal during the day or without protection.
- Wait until late evening (wasps are least active)
- Use a wasp-specific powder insecticide directly into the entrance hole
- Cover with a light board (not airtight — wasps must carry poison into nest)
- Boiling water – can scatter wasps and provoke attacks
- Petrol or diesel – illegal, dangerous, and harmful to soil and groundwater
- Blocking the hole – traps wasps inside your garden or home
- You’re unsure of the nest’s size or location
- You're allergic or sensitive to stings
- The nest is in a high-risk area (e.g., playground, dog-walk route)
👉 Call Pest-Mate today for safe wasp nest removal in Ashford, Kingsnorth & surrounding villages. Our team is trained, insured, and uses licensed treatments.
How to Prevent Underground Wasp Nests in Your Garden
- Fill any animal burrows or holes in soil or lawns
- Keep compost and bins well-sealed
- Use peppermint oil or citronella around shed bases and deck edges
- Avoid leaving sugary drinks or pet food outdoors
🛑 Don't forget to check in spring — this is when queen wasps search for nesting sites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓What kind of wasps build underground nests in Kent?
Mainly yellow jackets (a type of ground-nesting wasp). These are common in rural and suburban Kent areas.
❓How deep can underground wasp nests go?
They can extend 30 cm to over 1 meter underground, depending on soil and colony size.
❓Will wasps return to the same nest every year?
No, wasp colonies do not reuse old nests. However, they often return to the same area if the conditions are right.
❓Is it safe to deal with a wasp nest on my own?
Only for small nests and only with proper equipment. For safety, especially in high-traffic areas, always contact a professional pest control service.
Wasp Nest Removal in Ashford – Contact Pest-Mate Today
If you’ve spotted wasps entering the ground in your garden or near a shed, don’t wait until someone gets stung. Pest-Mate provides affordable, fast-response wasp nest removal in:
- Kingsnorth
- Ashford town & surrounding villages
- Willesborough, Kennington, Great Chart, Hamstreet, and more