The Homeowner’s Guide to Wasps & Hornets
A practical UK guide to understanding, preventing and dealing with wasp and hornet problems — written from 40+ years of field experience across South Yorkshire.
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Author · Apex Pest Control Blog
Tony Johnson
Founder & Lead Technician · 40+ years in pest control, wildlife management and Integrated Pest Management. Tony writes every guide on this blog to help homeowners understand a pest problem before deciding what to do about it.
£5M Public Liability Insured
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Few people in South Yorkshire know pests like Tony Johnson. Across more than 40 years in the field, he has cleared rats from cavity walls, wasp nests from roof eaves, grey squirrels from lofts and ant trails from kitchen floors in thousands of homes throughout Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Leeds.
In 2016 he founded Apex Pest Control Ltd (company no. 16815959), and he is still its lead technician today — on the tools, solving problems in person. He is a certified member of the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), holds RSPH pest-management qualifications, is CHAS-registered, and works fully insured to £5 million.
Tony started this blog for a different reason, though. Most people facing a pest problem don’t want a sales pitch — they want to understand what they are dealing with. So every guide answers the questions a homeowner asks first: What is it? How did it get in? Is it dangerous? And can I sort it myself, or is this one for a professional?
He writes each article himself, in plain English, from real jobs rather than textbooks — built on Integrated Pest Management: identify the species correctly, understand how it behaves, and choose the least invasive, most responsible solution rather than reaching for the strongest chemical. That commitment to evidence extends beyond this blog: Tony serves as a contributing editor to the Pest Evidence knowledge graph, helping maintain the peer-reviewed species, treatment and legislation data used by pest management professionals across the UK.
That same careful, evidence-led thinking has also made him a published author, with two homeowner pest guides on Google Play. Whether you are identifying a problem for the first time or weighing up what to do next, you are reading advice grounded in four decades of hands-on experience — and the qualifications and memberships below.
Qualifications & Standards
- Level 2 RSPH Award in Pest Control & Management
- LANTRA Level 2 Wild Game Meat Hygiene Certificate
- DSC1 & DSC2 Deer Stalking Certificates (British Deer Society)
- PDS1 & PDS2 Deer Stalking Practical Assessments
- COSHH Regulations 2002 compliant in all chemical handling
- £5M Public Liability insured on all work
Professional Memberships
- BPCA — British Pest Control Association (full member)
- CHAS — Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme
- BMCR — British Mole Catchers Register
- Think Wildlife — Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use
- RSPH — Royal Society for Public Health
Books by Tony Johnson
Tony has written two practical UK pest guides for homeowners, both published on Google Play Books.
The Homeowner’s Guide to Ants
A practical UK guide to understanding, preventing and dealing with ant problems in your home — expert advice from one of South Yorkshire’s most experienced pest control professionals.
View on Google Play →Recent guides by Tony
Practical, UK-focused pest guides for homeowners. Browse everything by category on the blog home page.
Grey Squirrel Pest Control Guide
Grey squirrels cause significant damage to UK homes and gardens. This guide covers biology, infestation signs, legal control methods, trapping, and prevention.
Ultrasonic Pest Repellers
Ultrasonic pest repellers emit high-frequency sound to deter pests — but do they work against mice and rats? Here is what the evidence and BPCA guidance says.
Snap Traps
Snap traps remain one of the most effective rodent control methods available. Learn how they work, where to place them, the best bait, and UK legal requirements.
Rodenticides and Mice Poison
Understand the rodenticides and mice poisons used in UK pest control — anticoagulant types, how they work, CRRU 2026 requirements, and risks to non-target animals.
Rodent Traps
Compare rodent trap types used for mice and rat control in the UK — snap traps, electronic traps, and live-catch cages — with placement advice and legal requirements.
Pest Control Equipment: A Professional Guide
From tamper-resistant bait stations to UV detection torches, this guide covers the pest control equipment used by UK professionals and what homeowners should know.
Mouse Repellents
Explore mouse repellent options for UK homes — peppermint oil, ultrasonic devices, and chemical products. What the evidence says and which methods are legally approved.
Best Mouse Bait UK
Choosing the right mouse bait is key to effective rodent control. This guide covers the best mouse baits available in the UK, legal restrictions, and safe application tips.
How to Use Live Mouse Traps
Learn how to use live mouse traps effectively — correct placement, bait selection, the legal 12-hour checking requirement, and how far to release caught mice.
Wasp Nest Removal Cost, Process and What to Expect
Wasp nest removal in the UK typically costs £60–£100 for a standard domestic treatment. This guide explains what affects cost, what the process involves, and what to expect after treatment.
Humane Mouse Traps
Humane mouse traps capture mice alive for safe release. Learn about live-catch trap types, legal checking requirements, effective bait, and how to release mice correctly.
Get Rid of Mice: Home Remedies That Actually Work
Discover which home remedies for mice actually work in the UK — from sealing entry points and snap traps to natural deterrents and sanitation. Know when to call a professional.