Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Stisted Homes

Where there is one nest there may be another, so a careful look around the roofline is sensible, and the fixed price makes a second easy to deal with.

One nest, or two?

When a wasp nest has been found in the roof, attention naturally focuses on that spot. But colonies are not shy of company. A house with one nest in the eaves may have another in the loft, under the porch roof or in the garden shed.

It is worth looking, partly so that you are not caught out later in the summer, and partly so that the technician can deal with everything in one visit.

Colonies are founded independently, and several may choose the same building because it suits them. They do not compete or combine, so the existence of one nest is no guarantee that another is absent.

A thorough look now saves a second call later and means that the roof is dealt with in one go.

This is not a reason to panic, only to be thorough. Finding a second nest early, while it is small, is far better than being surprised in August.

How to look for another

Walk round the house on a bright afternoon, keeping well back from the walls. Watch each elevation of the roof for a few minutes. You are looking for a second flight line, separate from the first.

• Check the other side of the main roof.
• Check any porch, extension or garage roof.
• Look at the edge of the roof above the front door.
• Look at sheds, outbuildings and the underside of overhanging branches.
• Notice whether wasps are coming from two different directions.

Do not go near any entrance. If you spot something, note the position and describe it to the business.

Pay particular attention to places that are similar to the first: another gap of the same sort, in a different part of the roof. If wasps used a slipped tile on one slope, check the slope on the other side for the same.

Late afternoon is often a good time for this check, because the wasps are active and the low sun shows up their movement against the roof edge. Take your time and keep to your safe spot.

What the price covers

For a single nest the fixed price is £90 and the price graphic says 1 visit guaranteed. If a second nest is found on the same site, you pay £35 more for it.

That means you do not need to worry about the cost of finding another. If the technician discovers an additional nest on the property when they arrive, or if you find one beforehand, the extra is straightforward.

A further nest does not mean that anything has gone wrong, and it does not mean that your house is unusually attractive. It is simply what happens in a busy wasp season.

Think of it as insurance. If a second nest turns up later in the summer, you will already know the price and the process, and a call is all it takes.

The price of an additional nest is simply that: it does not vary with the position of the second nest. Whether it is in the loft or the porch roof, the figure is the same.

Telling the business

When you book, say that you think there may be more than one nest. The technician will then plan for it. If you find another after booking, ring and add it to the visit.

If you are not sure, say so. 'Possibly a second entrance, about three metres along' is a perfectly useful description. The technician will confirm when they arrive. Mention any allergy to stings in the household so that the booking can be prioritised.

If you have noticed wasps at more than one place and are not sure whether they are going in or just passing, say so. The technician will confirm what is happening on site.

It is also useful to tell the business if the first nest has been present for a long time, as this affects what the technician may find.

When the technician arrives, they will usually look at the whole property, not just the nest you have identified. They may spot something you missed, and they will tell you if they do.

Booking

Appointments run seven days a week, and a same-day service is offered, and the work is fully insured for domestic and commercial customers.

To book, ring 01245 327274 or request a booking on the contact page. A technician covers Stisted and the surrounding villages.

Booking early gives the technician the best chance of dealing with everything in one go.

If you are a landlord or manage a number of properties, mention how many roofs are affected, and the business can advise on the best way to arrange visits.

Looking again later

Even after the visit, it is worth keeping an eye on the roof. A second colony can begin building a few weeks after the first, and a nest that was not active at the time of the visit can become so. Watch for new flight lines over the following weeks.

If you see one, do not leave it. A new nest is easier to deal with when it is small. Ring the business and explain.

Ask the technician at the visit whether there are signs of other nests, and whether they would recommend a roofer look at the building. Fixing gaps in the roof helps prevent both a repeat and a second.

Keep a note of every nest you have had, with dates and positions. Over a few years, the record can show which parts of the building attract wasps, and where repairs would help most.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Stisted