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Wasps stripping wooden fence

HalleSHalleS Posts: 105
in Problem solving
Hi all.

I have a large fence surrounding 2 sides of my property. Every summer/autumn, the wasps invade and strip wood from it. I usually just let them be, but there are hundreds around the garden and I’ve been stung and now I’m annoyed. 

We had to have the fence replaced last autumn. As far as I know, it can’t be stained or painted yet since it hasn’t weathered. Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can deter the wasps or if I can put something on the fence to make it less attractive to them? We don’t have a nest in the house or garden. Thanks. 


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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's wot they do. I love watching them. 
    You can do the wasp trap with a bottle and some jam in the bottom. Not something I've ever done though. 

    I painted my fence as soon as I put it in. Not sure why that would be a problem. I've always done it  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • HalleSHalleS Posts: 105
    Fairygirl said:
    It's wot they do. I love watching them. 
    You can do the wasp trap with a bottle and some jam in the bottom. Not something I've ever done though. 

    I painted my fence as soon as I put it in. Not sure why that would be a problem. I've always done it  :)
    I like watching them as well, but my garden is only about 3m wide and they’re constantly in my face. I definitely don’t want to kill them, only to move them on. 
     
    I was told a fence should be allowed to weather for 2+ years before painting... if that’s not the case, I’m shocked!
  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    We always have loads of wasps doing this and it hasn't bothered me although I am extra careful when opening the shed door or when sitting on our wooden garden furniture. More worrying this year was that it took us ages to work out where the wasp nest was. We always get one and usually let well alone but it's nice to know where they are just to be on the safe side. OH finally located it just outside our garden last week.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've certainly never had a problem with painting  @HalleS. Perhaps it depends on the quality of the timber, or whether it's been treated already. Most good fencing timber is though  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • HalleSHalleS Posts: 105
    I’m sure there must be a nest nearby @Singing Gardener but we haven’t sussed out where it is.

    Thanks for the info @Fairygirl. We did use quality timber that has been pre-treated so perhaps I’ll try painting soon. Now to decide on a colour... Any chance you could recommend a good brand?
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Try buying an imitation wasp nest and hang it up on the fence. I gather it fools other wasps into thinking there's other wasps in it so they leave the area alone. I've never tried it however so don't know how effective it would be.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    edited September 2020
    I had a shed custom built from newly pressure treated timber some years ago. It was installed in the spring and I was told that, although it wouldn't rot, the shed wouldn't be completely water tight without staining or painting. I was advised to leave it for a few weeks for the wood to completely dry before treating.

    Maybe it's the same with fence timber - but that's often been lying round in the yard for ages anyway. My shed was built with recently treated wood.

    I use Bird Brand Premium Barn Paint in black on outdoor structures - excellent product but not sure if it comes in other colours.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • HalleSHalleS Posts: 105
    We actually bought a few last year @Lizzie27! They were useless outside but we had a real nest in the loft last year and none this year after putting up the imitation. I’m assuming the fake nest worked but maybe it’s just a coincidence. 
  • HalleSHalleS Posts: 105
    Thank you very much @Topbird! I will look into it. 🙂
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I wondered about those too @Lizzie27, but I don't know anyone who's used them either.

    I keep forgetting which paint I use, but mine is Black Oak. Ronseal maybe?
    Again - a personal choice when it comes to colour. I mixed some for the front fence, and to cover the hideous orange stuff on the existing fence. A green one [Forest Green? ] with some black or brown added makes it a more olive-y colour. That worked quite well.  :)

    We get a lot of 'weather', so I just touch up exposed parts each spring, which doesn't take long. I tried the stuff that's meant to last 5 years without re applying. It doesn't  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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