Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Ford Homes
A roof nest has a clear timetable, from a queen’s first inspection in spring to a crowded colony in August, and knowing it tells you when to look and when to act.
April: the quiet start
A roof nest starts in early April, depending on the weather and how mild the spring has been. A single queen finds a gap under a tile or behind a board and starts to build a small paper nest. At this stage there is very little to see: perhaps one large wasp, investigating cracks around the roof edge.
Because there is so little activity, most people miss it. The first weeks pass without incident, and the nest is no larger than a walnut.
If you do notice a lone wasp going in and out of the same gap, that is a good time to call. The price is the same as at any other time.
Warm spells in March can bring things forward, and a cold April can hold them back. That is why the start date is a guide rather than a fixed point, and why a householder who watches the roof edge from early spring is best placed to catch a nest at its smallest.
The size of the nest changes the effort for the wasps but not the price for you.
Householders often tell the business that the wasps appeared from nowhere in July. In truth, the colony had been growing quietly for weeks, and the trick is simply to notice earlier.
May and June: the workers arrive
As the first workers hatch, the colony begins to speed up. The queen stays inside, laying eggs, while the workers extend the nest and bring in food. The traffic at the entrance rises noticeably.
You may see a handful of wasps coming and going, and perhaps hear a faint hum from the boards. A few may stray into the house.
Many householders put off calling at this stage because the activity seems modest. That is understandable, but the colony is only getting started.
Keep an eye on the gutter and window sills. Papery crumbs, a few dead wasps and the odd stray inside are all signs of growing activity.
If you have a young family, now is a good time to talk to the children about keeping away from the roof edge.
The nest at this stage may be the size of a football or larger, even though you cannot see it, because it is hidden behind the tiles or boards.
July and August: the peak
By high summer the nest has reached its full size and the colony is at its peak in August. A nest can hold as many as 2,000 wasps. The entrance is busy, the hum is audible from the garden and wasps turn up at drinks, bins and windows.
The nest is also at its most defensive. A ladder, a spray or a hammer near the roof edge risks a mass response.
Roof-level nests are particularly awkward at this stage. They are out of reach, in plain sight of the wasps and surrounded by a cloud of insects.
Numbers matter because the nest is also busy gathering food. In late summer wasps become more interested in sugar, which is why they appear at drinks and ice creams, and why people sometimes blame them on the picnic when the nest is actually in the roof.
This is the stage when the largest number of calls come in, so same-day service and weekend slots matter. Do not be put off by the thought that everyone else is calling too.
What to do at each stage
The advice is steady, whatever month it is.
- Watch from the ground, at a distance, and note where the wasps enter.
- Never seal the gap while the nest is alive.
- Do not use a ladder.
- Keep windows near the entrance shut during the day.
- Contact the business and describe what you have seen.
Earlier action is simply easier. The principle does not change.
If you are not sure of the stage, do not guess. Simply describe what you have seen and when. The technician does not need to know how old the nest is to treat it.
Price and booking
The technician who attends in Ford is qualified and fully insured, and the work is safe and effective. The nest is treated for a fixed £80 flat, with a second nest on the same property at £40 each. There is no call-out charge, and nothing is added for the time of day, the height of the nest or the month of the year. One visit is guaranteed.
You can ring 07916 322 280 or use the form on the contact page. The business is open seven days a week, offers same-day service and has evening and weekend appointments.
Some people wonder if the nest will die off when the weather cools. In the autumn the colony does decline, but the nest is still defended and the wasps can still enter the house. Acting early in the season still has the greatest benefit.
Afterwards, and next spring
After the visit, the roof edge should quieten within a day or two. Dead wasps may fall into the gutter or onto the ground, and they can be swept into a sealed bag. Wait a few days before anyone goes near the gutter.
You can ask at booking if the empty nest can be removed afterwards. Once everything is quiet, a roofer or builder can close the gap.
Mark early April in your diary. A quick look at the roof edge may catch the next queen before she has built anything. If anyone in the household is allergic, mention it when you book so the booking can be prioritised.
A note on the calendar costs nothing, and the habit of looking up at the roof every few weeks is easy to keep.
Wasps on your property in Ford?
Fixed price £80 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.