Removing an old or abandoned wasp nest
By Wespenprofis.ch · Reviewed by:Fachbewilligung Schädlingsbekämpfung VFB-S · Updated: 3 July 2026
At a glance
An empty, abandoned wasp nest can be removed safely in winter without a professional — the colony has already died off. Check beforehand that there really is no activity left, then simply dispose of the nest with your normal household waste. No follow-up treatment is needed.
Why an old nest is treated differently
A wasp colony lives for a single season only. In autumn the entire colony dies off apart from the newly hatched, already mated young queens, which retreat individually to overwinter. The nest left behind is then empty for good and is not colonised again the following year — in spring a new queen always starts a new nest somewhere else. An abandoned nest in late autumn or winter is therefore harmless and, unlike an active nest in summer, can be removed without a professional.
How to go about it
- Check for activity: on a mild, sunny day, watch for a few minutes to see whether any wasps fly in or out.
- Only take action yourself in late autumn or winter and when there is no recognisable activity.
- Wear gloves and carefully detach the nest from its fixing point.
- Seal the nest in a plastic bag and dispose of it with your normal household waste.
- If you are unsure about the state of the nest, still call in a professional (/wespennest-entfernen).
Good to know
Chemical or biological follow-up treatment is not needed for an abandoned nest, as no live insects remain. Caution is called for, however, if the supposedly old nest is discovered in late summer or early autumn: at this stage a colony can still be occupied and particularly aggressive despite its declining activity, especially if it has lost its queen. When in doubt the rule is: do not touch it yourself, call in a professional. How much a nest grows over the course of the season is explained in the guide How big does a wasp nest get? For the basics on the right way to act when you find an active nest, see Wasp nest found — what to do.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell that a nest has really been abandoned?
Watch the entrance hole for a few minutes on a mild, sunny day. If not a single wasp flies in or out over a longer period, and it is already late autumn or winter, the nest counts as abandoned.
Can I simply take an old nest down and throw it away?
Yes, in winter this is usually completely safe. Even so, wear gloves, use a plastic bag and dispose of the nest with your normal household waste.
Do I need to expect a new colony in the same place after removal?
No. A nest that has been used once is never colonised again; in spring a new queen always looks for a new location.