Found a Wasp Nest in Your Loft in Castle Hedingham? Here's What to Do

A nest in the loft is not made worse by what you leave in the garden, but easy food does keep wasps busy near your doors and windows.

What wasps are looking for

Wasps are hunters and scavengers. In spring and early summer, they catch insects to feed the grubs in the nest. Later in the season, the colony needs less protein and more sugar, so the workers start looking for sweet things: fruit, fizzy drinks, ice cream, jam and beer. This is why they become a nuisance at picnics in August.

When a nest is in your loft, you have a stream of wasps leaving and returning all day. If they find food close to the house, they will visit it repeatedly. It does not mean you caused the nest, but it does mean you can help to reduce the number of wasps around your doors.

Late summer is the worst time for this. As the colony ages, there are fewer grubs to feed on protein, and the workers turn to sugar. That is why wasps become pushy in August and September, when they were barely noticeable in May.

Think about where you eat outside too. A table beside the back door, a high chair on the patio or a bench near the roof edge puts people right in the flight path. Moving the family to a different part of the garden for a few weeks is a small price to pay.

The usual attractions

• Open bins, especially those containing food waste, cans and bottles.
• Compost heaps with fruit and kitchen scraps.
• Fallen fruit under trees.
• Drinks left on patio tables, particularly in cans and glasses.
• Pet food bowls left outside.
• Barbecue leftovers and sticky grills.

You do not need to give up the garden. A few changes in habit are enough to make a difference, and they help whether or not there is a nest.

Some less obvious attractions are worth checking: a leaking outdoor tap, a bird feeder with sugary food, a pet water bowl in the sun or a feeder that drips sugary liquid. Wasps drink water, and a source close to the house helps a nest nearby.

Practical steps

Keep bin lids shut and rinse cans and bottles before putting them in. Move compost bins and food waste caddies a good distance from the house, if you can, and keep lids on. Pick up fallen fruit every day.

Drink from a cup with a lid, or a bottle with a straw, and check before you take a sip. A wasp in a can is a classic cause of stings in the mouth. Cover food when eating outside, and clear plates quickly.

Bring pet bowls inside after meals. Wipe down tables and children's hands and faces, as sticky fingers attract wasps.

If you are having a barbecue or an outdoor meal during the wait, do it on the side of the house furthest from the roof edge where wasps are entering. Keep food covered until the moment you eat.

Teach children the simple rules. Stay calm if a wasp comes near, do not wave your arms, walk away slowly and tell an adult. A little rehearsal turns a scary moment into a manageable one.

What this will not do

Tidying the garden will cut the number of wasps that hang around, but it will not remove a nest. The colony will carry on working, fetching food from wherever it can. If anything, wasps may go further afield, and some may head for the house in search of what they can find.

So think of these steps as a safety measure while you wait for treatment, and a good habit for the summer, but not as a cure.

Do not put out sweet traps near the house. They tend to draw more wasps into the area.

It can be frustrating to hear that tidiness will not solve the nest. But the honest answer is that nothing in the garden causes or cures a loft nest, and the real fix is a visit from a trained person.

It also helps to remember that wasps are not interested in you personally. They are interested in sugar and protein, and when those are covered or cleared away, they move on.

Arranging treatment

Wasp Nest Removal Essex works seven days a week and offers same-day service, covering Castle Hedingham and surrounding villages, for homes and commercial premises. A nest is dealt with for a fixed £90 in all, with one visit guaranteed. An additional nest on the same property costs £35 each.

You can call 01245 327274 or fill in the online booking form on the contact page. Let the business know at booking if anyone is allergic to stings, so the booking can be prioritised.

When you ring, you can mention that you have taken these steps. It tells the technician you have been careful, and gives a clear picture of what is drawing wasps and what is not.

If you are a business with outdoor seating, such as a cafe terrace or an outdoor eating area, keep tables cleared quickly and bins covered, and put a note on the booking line that you serve food outside. The technician can then plan accordingly.

After the nest has gone

Once the nest is treated, there may be a few stray wasps for a while, so keep up the garden habits for a week or so. Sweep up any dead wasps, wearing shoes. Do ask whether the empty nest can be taken down once it is treated.

In spring and summer, a short routine will stand you in good stead: lids on bins, fruit picked up, drinks covered. Along with a quick look at the roof edge in April, it makes a difference.

Include the roof edge in your weekly check as the season goes on. If you spot a gap, make a note of it for the builder, and repair it once the nest has been dealt with.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Castle Hedingham