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Dealing with a wasp nest in your lawn

June 08, 2026 | by Peats Garden

Many wasp species are known for building nests underground rather than in roof spaces, sheds or trees. Usually, taking advantage of natural holes in the ground or even old rodent burrows, which you may first notice with wasps repeatedly entering and leaving a small hole in the grass.

 

Signs you have a wasp nest

There are plenty of ways to spot a wasp nest. You may start to see a steady stream of wasps flying to and from the same spot or increased wasp numbers in a particular area of the garden. Listen out for buzzing sounds coming from beneath the surface, with mature nests containing hundreds or even thousands of wasps by late summer.

 

What to be mindful of

It’s much easier to disturb a nest when it’s beneath the ground, so it’s important to take care. Activities such as mowing the lawn, children playing in the garden or gardening could potentially aggravate the wasps if they feel their nest is under threat.

 

Avoiding the sting this summer

 

What to do

  1. Keep your distance - if you’ve identified a possible nest, it’s best to avoid standing directly over the entrance and rather observe from afar.
  2. Mark the area - to make step one achievable, particularly if it’s in a busy part of the garden, use a temporary marker to remind everyone where the nest is located.
  3. Contact a professional - this won’t always be necessary, but if the nest is close to pathways and entrances or play areas, professional help is most likely the safest action.  

 

What not to do

  1. Block the entrance - a common mistake is filling the hole with soil, stones or water. This doesn’t solve the problem and often causes wasps to create a new exit, which can make the situation worse.
  2. Disturb the nest - digging into the area or attempting to expose the nest can trigger a defensive response and make wasps aggressive.
  3. Mow over it - when running a lawnmower over a nest entrance, it can agitate the colony and increase the likelihood of you getting stung.

 

Whilst discovering a ground nest can be alarming, the most important thing to do is remain calm and avoid disturbing it. On a positive note, wasps do play an important role within our green spaces, so leaving them to it and seeking professional help when required is the best course of action.