Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Maidstone Homes
A nest under the tiles is rarely seen directly. What gives it away is a steady stream of wasps at one spot on the roof, which is what the technician will ask about.
How a nest ends up beneath the tiles
Roof tiles never sit perfectly flat against each other. Behind and beneath them is a sheltered, dry space that stays warm in the sun, which is exactly what a wasp looks for when it starts a colony in late April or May. A gap at the eaves, a slipped tile or an opening where the roof meets a wall is all it needs.
From that first small start the colony grows through the summer and peaks in August. By then a nest can hold anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps, all of them using the same few openings. That is why a nest that went unnoticed in June can feel like an emergency by late summer.
Because the nest is hidden in the roof void, most people in Maidstone never see it. They see the wasps instead.
Watching the flight path without taking a risk
The most useful thing you can give a technician is a clear idea of where the wasps are entering. You can work this out from the ground, in daylight, with no need to go near the building.
Pick a sunny spell in the middle of the day, when the wasps are busiest, and stand well back, ideally across the garden or on the opposite pavement. Look along the roofline for a spot where wasps keep disappearing and reappearing. Wasps heading out tend to leave in a fairly straight line, so the direction they fly off in can help you confirm you have the right spot.
- Stay at least a few metres from the wall, and keep children and pets indoors while you look.
- Note which side of the house it is and whether the entry is at the eaves, under a tile, or near the ridge at the top.
- Take a photo with your phone zoomed in rather than walking closer.
- Do not stand directly beneath the entry point, because returning wasps fly low over that spot.
Mid-afternoon on a warm day tends to be the best time. Early morning and evening are quieter, so a short look then may suggest the nest has gone, when in fact the wasps are simply resting.
Why this is not a job for a ladder
It is tempting to climb up and take a look, or to reach the gap from a first-floor window. Please do not. Working at roof height means one hand is usually holding on, a wasp stinging your face can make you lose balance, and a disturbed nest can send a large number of wasps out at once.
A fall from a ladder is a far more serious injury than a sting, and the nest is rarely where it looks from below. Tiles are also fragile, so pushing at them can break them and make the opening bigger.
The technician who attends is trained for exactly this, is fully insured and qualified, and treats roof nests as ordinary work. Domestic and commercial customers are dealt with in the same way.
Leave the gap open until the nest is treated
Blocking the hole with filler, foam or a bit of tape might sound sensible. It rarely helps, and it can make things worse. The wasps inside will still be there, and with their exit shut they look for another way out. Often that way leads through the ceiling and into a room.
Wait until the nest has been treated. Once the colony is dealt with, the entry can be repaired properly and nobody is sealed in with the problem. If you suspect there is a way for wasps to get into the house, close the door of that room and keep it shut.
When you speak to the office, mention that the nest is at roof level. It helps to say whether you have seen wasps indoors as well.
Booking, the price and what comes after
Treating a nest costs a fixed £120 per nest, and if there is a second nest on the same property that is a further £60 more. There is no call-out charge, and nothing is added for the height or the time of day. The price graphic promises one visit guaranteed.
Wasp Exterminator Kent is open seven days a week and offers same-day service, with evening and weekend appointments. You can ring 01622 410 019 or use the online form, which also works for emergencies outside normal office hours.
After treatment, you may still see a few wasps return to the old spot for a while, which is normal. Ask the technician at booking whether the empty nest can be taken down. Once the roof is quiet, have the tiles or eaves checked so the gap is closed before next spring.
What to tell the office when you ring
A clear description saves time, and you can gather most of it from the ground. Before you pick up the phone, jot down a few details so that the person on the other end has the whole picture straight away.
- Which side of the building the wasps are using, such as front, back or the side facing the neighbour.
- Roughly how high the entry point is, for example just above the gutter or near the top of the roof.
- Whether you have also seen wasps indoors, at a window or on a ceiling.
- Whether anyone in the household is allergic to stings, because that can move the booking up the list.
- Whether this is a house, a shop or an office, since both domestic and commercial premises are treated.
It also helps to say how long you have noticed the wasps. A nest that has been busy since early summer is probably well established, while one you have only just spotted may be younger. Either way the price is the same, so there is nothing to gain by guessing at the size.
Wasps on your property in Maidstone?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.