Why You’re Spotting More Wasps in Summer
As pest control specialists with over 65 years of combined experience, here at Obsidian Environmental Services, we’ve monitored, tracked, and treated countless wasp infestations across Central London. And if you’ve noticed more wasps than usual buzzing around your home, garden, or business this August, you’re not imagining it. This time of year is peak activity for our black-and-yellow friends.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the wasp life cycle, explain why their behaviour changes throughout the year, and share expert advice on when it’s time to call in professional help. Note that, subject to environmental conditions, wasp numbers at these times can fluctuate.
The Wasp Life Cycle: March to October
Wasps in the UK follow a fairly predictable seasonal pattern, starting in early spring (March/April) and ending in autumn (September/October). Understanding this cycle can help explain why they suddenly seem to appear everywhere in the warmer months.
March – The Queens Awaken
Spring acts as a literal wake-up call for insects, including wasps. After hibernating through the winter, queen wasps emerge in late March as the temperatures rise. This is to find a suitable nesting site where they can grow their colony.
These sites are often secluded and sheltered, such as:
- Loft spaces
- Wall cavities
- Barns or sheds
- Underground burrows
- Dense shrubs and plants (especially for paper wasps, a species also found in Central London)
April to May – Building the Colony
Once the queen has chosen her nesting site, she begins laying her first eggs. Within weeks, these hatch into:
- Worker wasps (female, equipped with stingers to defend the colony)
- Drones (male, whose sole role is to mate with new queens)
- Occasionally, new queen wasps will leave later in the season to start their colonies.
During this time, the queen also constructs the first part of the nest using chewed wood fibres mixed with her saliva, which creates a papery material perfect for building and expansion.
June to July – Peak Colony Activity
By early summer, the colony is thriving. Worker wasps are constantly on the move, collecting food to feed the larvae and gathering materials to expand the nest.
This is when human-wasp encounters are most common. Workers are fiercely focused on foraging, and they’ll readily investigate gardens, outdoor eating areas, and bins for anything sugary or protein-rich.
August to September – The Temper Turns
Late summer brings a big shift in wasp behaviour. As the queen leaves the nest to find a suitable hibernation spot, the workers are left without clear direction. Without larvae to feed, their foraging becomes more desperate and erratic.
This is when wasps are most likely to:
- Hover around outdoor food and drink
- Invade kitchens or open windows
- Show aggression if disturbed
The lack of purpose, combined with dwindling food sources, means wasps are far more likely to sting, which is why this is the time of the year when people get hurt most.
Late September to Early October – The End of the Cycle
As autumn sets in, surviving worker wasps continue their frantic search for food. By this stage, most queens have either settled into hibernation or perished. The cold weather eventually kills off the remaining workers, leaving only the hibernating queens to restart the cycle next spring.
Why Are Wasps Aggressive?
Like any creature, wasps will defend themselves if threatened. However, the time of year plays a huge role in their temperament:
- Early summer: Focused on building and feeding the colony; generally less aggressive unless provoked.
- Late summer to autumn: Food scarcity and loss of purpose trigger more unpredictable, hostile behaviour.
This explains why August and September are peak sting months in the UK.
Should You Worry About Wasp Nests?
Yes, especially if the nest is close to people or pets. Wasps can pose a serious threat in certain situations:
- Children or pets may accidentally disturb a nest
- Some individuals are allergic to stings, risking severe reactions
- Large colonies can cause structural damage in lofts or wall cavities
If you discover a wasp nest, do not attempt removal yourself. Disturbing a nest can provoke an aggressive swarm.
Professional Wasp Control in Central London
Here at Obsidian Environmental Services, we specialise in discreet, highly effective wasp nest removal and prevention. Our technicians:
- Identify the wasp species
- Locate and treat the nest at its source (where accessible and safe to do so)
- Remove harbourage points to prevent future infestations
- Work quickly and safely to restore your wasp-free environment
With decades of experience handling serious wasp problems in both residential and commercial settings, we know how to deal with infestations swiftly, effectively, and without unnecessary disruption.
Don’t Let Wasps Ruin Your Summer
Have you noticed increased wasp activity around your property? Especially in August and September, there may be a good reason for this. It’s best to act quickly before a potential issue escalates.
Call Obsidian Environmental Services today to book a same-day or next-day appointment. Our BPCA-qualified pest control technicians will attend promptly, assess the situation, and put in place a safe, permanent solution.
