Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Treflach Homes
Treatment ends the colony, but there are still a few days of loose ends, from stray wasps at the roof edge to the question of what to do with the empty nest.
The hours after the visit
When the technician leaves, the roof edge does not fall silent at once. Wasps that were out foraging come back to find the nest changed, and a few may circle the entrance for a while. This is normal and does not mean the visit has failed.
Give it a day. Keep windows near the area closed and avoid standing under the entrance. The traffic should fall steadily, and by the next day most households find the roof edge much quieter.
One visit is guaranteed. If the activity has not died down after a couple of days, contact the business and describe what you are seeing.
It also helps to remember that a roof nest is out of sight. You may never see the result of the treatment directly, only the quieter roof edge. Trust that and avoid the urge to inspect it from a ladder.
If you see no wasps at all by the following morning, that is a good sign. If you see the same crowd as before, tell the business.
Many of the questions people have afterwards come down to one point: is it over? In most households the answer is yes within a few days, and the quiet roof edge is the proof.
Dead and dazed wasps
Over the next few days, dead or sluggish wasps may appear in the gutter, on window sills, on the ground below the roof edge and occasionally indoors.
- Sweep them up with a brush and pan rather than bare fingers.
- Put them in a sealed bag and place it in the outside bin.
- Keep children and pets away from the area until it is clear.
- Do not climb to the gutter until a few days have passed.
- Wash your hands after the clear-up.
A wasp that looks dead can still sting, so treat each with care.
Wasps that look dazed on the ground may still be able to fly off, so do not step on them barefoot. Wearing shoes outside for a few days is a sensible habit.
If you have a water butt or open container below the roof edge, cover it, since dead wasps will fall in.
If you see more than a handful of wasps at once on the ground, note where, as this can tell the technician where the entrance sits.
The empty nest
The nest behind the tiles or boards is a paper structure, and once the colony has gone it is simply an empty shell. Wasps do not reuse an old nest. It may stay where it is for months, drying and becoming brittle.
If you would like it taken down, ask the technician when you book. Whether that is possible depends on where the nest is, and the technician can tell you more.
Do not try to pull it out yourself from a ladder. An empty nest is no danger, but the ladder is.
Some nests are quite large, and once the colony has gone they can look dramatic if they are exposed. It may be fascinating to look at, but it is best treated as rubbish. Wear gloves if you handle any fragments.
Getting the roof repaired
Once things are quiet, a roofer or builder can look at the gap the wasps used. Closing it properly removes an obvious entrance for a future queen. Tell the tradesperson about the nest so they know what to expect.
Wait a few days after treatment before booking the repair, so that stragglers are not a problem. The business treats wasps and does not do roof repairs.
Repairs are a sensible idea but not an emergency. Wasps do not return to the old nest, and spring is some months away.
If a roofer cannot start for a while, a temporary gap does little harm once the wasps have gone. It is a matter of tidying up before the next season, not of urgency.
Collect photographs of the gap before the roofer arrives. They can be useful for the tradesperson and for your own records.
What the visit cost, and what a second nest would
The fixed price for a nest is £80 flat, with no call-out charge. If a second nest turns up on the same property, it is £40 each. The price does not change for height, location or time of day. The technician is qualified and fully insured, and the method is safe and effective.
If you live near Oswestry and have a new nest, the business covers Treflach and the area around it.
Treflach homes sometimes have outbuildings, extensions or porches with their own roof edges, so mention any of these when you book. The technician will check each stretch where wasps have been seen.
A second nest on the same property is £40 flat, which is worth bearing in mind if wasps reappear at a different spot after the first has gone.
Watching ahead, and booking again if needed
Wasps start building in early April depending on the weather. A quick look at the roof edge in spring may show a queen investigating a gap. If you see one, contact the business early.
To book, phone 07916 322 280 or use the online booking form. Same-day service is offered, evening and weekend appointments are available and the business is open seven days a week.
If someone in the household is allergic to wasp stings, say so when you book so the booking can be prioritised.
Keep this page or a note of the main points somewhere handy. A household that knows what to expect afterwards will worry much less.
If you are a landlord or tenant and are not sure who arranges the work, check your tenancy agreement or policy, since the answer depends on the wording.
Wasps on your property in Treflach?
Fixed price £80 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.