Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Haughton Homes
Before you ring anyone about a nest under the tiles, it helps to be reasonably sure what is living there, because wasps and bees need different help.
Different insects, different help
Roof gaps are used by more than one insect. Wasps are the most common cause of the problem, but honeybees and bumblebees sometimes nest in similar places, and hornets are occasionally reported. The right response depends on which you have.
The business treats wasps. It does not treat bees, hornets or other pests. If you have honeybees or bumblebees, the right call is to a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation.
Telling them apart need not involve going near the nest. What you can see from the garden is usually enough.
It is also worth knowing that some insects look alarming without being a problem. Hoverflies imitate the stripes of wasps, and large flies can sound like them. A closer description, without moving closer yourself, will settle it.
Do not worry if you cannot decide. A phone call is a perfectly good way to find out.
The reason this matters is that the right response for bees is to protect them, whereas a wasp nest in a roof is a problem for the people living or working beneath it. Getting the first call right saves everyone time.
Mason bees and solitary bees also use small holes in walls and roofs. They do not form a colony and tend to be little trouble, but they can be mistaken for wasps by a quick glance.
What to look for in the insects
Look at the insects themselves, from a distance, on a bright day.
- Wasps look smooth and sharply marked, with a narrow waist and a clean yellow and black pattern.
- Honeybees look duller and slightly furry, in brown and gold.
- Bumblebees are large, round and noticeably hairy.
- Wasps fly quickly and directly in and out of the gap.
- Bees tend to move slowly and often carry yellow pollen on their legs.
Hornets are larger than wasps. If the insects seem unusually big, say so when you call.
Colour can mislead on a bright day. A wasp seen against the sky may look darker than it is, and a bumblebee with a pale tail may look quite striking. Shape and movement tell you more than colour does.
A quick wasp has a narrow waist where its body seems to pinch in the middle. Bees look more rounded and heavy.
What to look for in the behaviour
Behaviour is a better guide than colour. Wasps hunt for sweet food and protein, which is why they bother bins, drinks and picnics. Bees mostly ignore these and head for flowers.
A wasp nest has a steady stream of traffic that grows through the summer, with the colony peaking in August. By then a nest can hold as many as 2,000 wasps.
A bee colony in a roof tends to be quieter, with insects coming and going more slowly. If you are unsure, watch for ten minutes and describe what you see.
Another clue is the nest, if it can be seen. Wasp nests are made of a grey paper-like material. Bee colonies are built of wax, and you may smell something faintly sweet from a honeybee nest.
You do not need to see the nest to ring, and you should never open a gap to look.
Wasps in a roof are also unlikely to be alone for long. If you see one insect at the gap on Monday, you may see ten on Friday. A fast-growing flight path is typical of wasps rather than of bees.
Why not to poke around
There is a strong temptation to examine the entrance more closely. Please do not. Whether wasps or bees, a disturbed colony defends itself, and a ladder at roof height makes stings much more dangerous.
Never spray, block or prod the gap. If they turn out to be bees, harm done to them cannot be undone, and if they are wasps you may drive them into the house.
A description from the ground is all anyone needs to start with.
If the insects are bees, they do a lot of good, and a beekeeper may be able to move them. That is a very different job from treating a wasp nest.
If it is wasps
The fixed price for treating a nest is £80 flat, wherever it sits on the roof. If there is an extra nest on the property, that one is £40 flat, and nothing is charged to attend. Qualified and fully insured, the technician carries out the work in a way that is safe and effective. One visit is guaranteed.
The business covers Haughton and the surrounding area, works seven days a week and offers same-day service for homes and commercial premises.
It is helpful to say how long the insects have been there. A nest that started in April and a nest that has appeared in the last fortnight can look quite different by August.
Domestic and commercial properties are both covered, so a shop owner with the same question can follow exactly the same steps.
Booking and afterwards
Reach the business on 07916 322 280 or via the online form. Describe the insects and where they enter, and mention any allergy so that the booking can be prioritised. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
After treatment, sweep up any dead wasps and put them in a sealed bag. Ask whether the empty nest can be taken down, and let a roofer repair the gap once things are quiet.
If the insects turn out not to be wasps, the business will say so, and you can then contact a beekeeper or bee organisation.
Keep the loft hatch closed and windows near the roof edge shut while you wait. These simple steps reduce the chance of an encounter at home.
Wasps on your property in Haughton?
Fixed price £80 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.