Wasps Around Your Guttering and Fascias? How to Find the Nest in Belchamp Otten

A property that is empty for days or weeks at a time can host a wasp nest that nobody notices, so a quick exterior check and clear arrangements for access matter.

Nests that nobody sees

When a house is lived in every day, someone usually notices wasps at the gutter within a week or two. When it is empty or visited only occasionally, a nest can start in late April and be thoroughly established by the time anyone looks up. A holiday home left for a few weeks, a vacant shop or unit, a property between tenants or a workshop used one day a week are all examples.

The first sign may be wasps in the rooms when the door is opened, a buzzing from the ceiling or a stream of wasps at the roofline. Because the colony has had time to grow, the nest can be large.

This is also the reason that nests at empty properties can be bigger by the time they are noticed. A colony that is discovered in late summer may already hold thousands of wasps.

None of this is a criticism. Even an attentive owner cannot see the roofline of a property they are not at. The point is simply to build a quick check into each visit.

A quick exterior check

On every visit between May and October, make it a habit to stand back and look up at the roofline before going in. It takes a minute. Look along the gutters and fascias, around the porch and at any outbuilding. Watch for wasps entering a gap, and listen for a faint hum.

• Is there any wasp traffic at the eaves?
• Are wasps inside the windows or on the ceiling?
• Have any boards or panels lifted since the last visit?
• Is there a build-up of wasps near the front door?

If you see a nest or suspect one, do not go in through a door beneath it if there is an alternative.

If you manage several properties, a simple checklist for each visit makes the habit stick. Even a note on your phone is enough.

If you let the property to short-term guests, tell them what to do if they see wasps and who to ring, so a problem does not wait until the next change of occupants.

Wasps indoors on arrival

If you open the door and find wasps in the room, step back, close the door and think. The nest may be connected to the room through a gap in the ceiling or wall. Do not try to clear them yourself with a swatter or a spray. Leave the windows shut, and avoid disturbing the area.

Make a note of which rooms were affected and what you saw. When you ring, tell us how long the property has been empty.

If a room has a lot of wasps, mention it when you ring. A technician who knows the layout can plan the best approach from outside.

Once the technician has been, wasps still in the rooms can be shooed towards an open window and shut out. Do not swat them against walls and curtains, as the stings cause more trouble than the insects.

Arranging access

A technician can only treat the nest if they can reach it. If the property is empty, tell us in advance who will meet them, whether there is a key safe, whether a gate must be unlocked and whether anything such as a parked vehicle or stored items block the wall. If you cannot be there in person, say so when you book and we will discuss how to arrange the visit.

For a tenanted or rented property, tell the occupier or agent as well, and check the tenancy agreement for who is responsible for arranging the work. We cannot advise on legal duties.

For commercial units, say who holds the keys and when the premises are open. A visit during a quiet period causes least disruption.

If there is no one to open up, the technician may be able to work from the outside alone, which is often the case with a roofline nest. Tell us when you book whether this is likely.

Treatment

The technician for Belchamp Otten will find the entrance and treat the nest at its source, working at height with suitable equipment and protective clothing. They will tell you what to expect and, if you ask, whether the empty nest can be taken down.

Treatment costs a fixed £90 per nest with one visit guaranteed, and a second nest on the same property is £35 more. We work on domestic and commercial properties and are fully insured, and the lines are open seven days a week with same-day service offered.

Please give a mobile number for the day of the visit, so the technician can reach someone if there is a question on arrival.

After treatment

Before leaving the property again, arrange for the gap to be repaired, particularly if you will not be back for weeks. Ask a builder to check the whole roofline, since an empty building gives wasps more time to settle. In future, consider a neighbour, caretaker or agent who can look at the outside from time to time during the summer.

To talk it through or book, ring 01245 327274 or send the online booking form on the contact page and tell us about anyone allergic to stings. Call 999 straight away for any swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or breathlessness, dizziness or a widespread rash.

A repaired roofline gives wasps less to work with, and if the property is left alone for weeks at a time, that is especially valuable.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Belchamp Otten