Fire services covering Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire, issued a warning this week after a DIY treatment of a Wasps nest went horribly wrong.
The warning comes after photos emerged of a garage completely burnt to the ground after a member of the public tried to set fire to their wasp's nest in an attempt to rid themselves of infestation.Firefighters managed to control the blaze before the home attached to the garage was also significantly damaged. However, the owners are very lucky that the damage was contained to the garage.
Firefighters managed to control the blaze before the home attached to the garage was also significantly damaged. However, the owners are very lucky that the damage was contained to the garage.
The warning on the fire services website reads:
"Worried about a wasps' nest or other infestation in your home? Please don't try to tackle it with fire! Contact your local council for advice."
A professional pest controller should always tackle wasp nests.
In response to the warning, we were contacted by BBC's Three Counties Radio to talk more about the dangers of treating pest problems yourself, and the importance of hiring a professional.Speaking on the Radio, Membership Manager Kevin Higgins said,
Speaking on the Radio, Membership Manager Kevin Higgins said,
"Hire a professional who is trained, qualified and has experience in your particular pest problem."
"We benefit from a find a pest controller tool on our website where all people need to do is enter their postcode, and we can present you with a range of trained, qualified and experienced professionals who can meet your needs."
Kevin then went onto talk about some of the different wasp nests our membership had dealt with this year (reported through social media), including one in an old Austin Seven, one on the inside of another car's wheel arch and giant nest in Northampton which was estimated to be home to over 10,000 wasps.
You can listen to Kevin's interview on the Three Counties Radio with Roberto Perrone here (starting at 1:36:30).