Why Are There So Many Wasps This Summer?

Have you noticed more wasps buzzing around your garden this summer?  You’re not imagining it there are more wasps about, and at EcoTrap Pest Control Ltd, we’ve definitely seen a rise in activity.  The media have reported the same trend, and pest controllers like us have been busier than ever with early-season enquiries and more frequent wasp nest removals.

Why Are Wasp Numbers Up This Year?

Several things have contributed to the increase in wasp numbers this summer:

Mild Winter: More queen wasps survived hibernation due to the unusually mild winter.

Warm Spring:  Early warm weather allowed nests to become established weeks earlier than normal. Hot Summer: The ongoing heatwave has accelerated wasp colony growth, and more people outdoors means more interactions (and complaints).

As a result, we’ve seen larger nests forming earlier in the season and in more locations than usual—especially in roof spaces, under eaves, wall cavities, sheds, in bushes and even underground.

The Wasp Control Challenge in 2025 – The removal of Ficam D, our long-trusted product for treating wasp nests, has presented pest control professionals with a new challenge. The replacement products work in an entirely different way and is less effective leading to more call-backs and the need for follow-up treatments. As a registered pest control professional, we follow the guidance set out by the British Pest Control Association, the UK’s leading authority on pest control standards, training, and best practice. They’ve also reported an increase in wasp-related enquiries this summer.

A typical wasp nest can contain thousands of individuals by mid to late summer. Worker wasps travel up to half a mile from the nest foraging for food, Sugary drinks and food (which is why they love your BBQ!),

While wasps can be a nuisance, they also play a vital role in ecosystems. Conservation organisations like Buglife highlight their importance as natural pest controllers and pollinators, encouraging balance in how we deal with them. The Big Wasp Survey is a citizen science project tracking the numbers and distribution of wasp populations across the UK

 

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