Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Reculver Homes
A nest can grow unseen in a home that is empty for weeks at a time. This guide is for owners of second homes, holiday lets and properties left empty.
Nests thrive when nobody is there
A house that is occupied every day has plenty of eyes on it. Wasp activity at the roofline is spotted early, a window left open is noticed, and a stray wasp indoors is a clue. A property left empty for a fortnight or a month has none of that.
A wasp that starts a nest in May has the roof to itself. By the time the owner returns in July or August, a colony of several thousand wasps may have settled in beneath the tiles.
Owners of second homes and holiday properties in Reculver are not alone in this; it happens wherever a building is left unattended in spring and summer.
Whether the property is a cottage used at weekends, a flat let by the week or a house on the market, the principle is the same: no one is watching the roof.
What returning owners often find
The first sign on arrival is usually obvious. Wasps move in a steady line to and from one point on the roof, and a few may be inside, caught at the windows.
- A noticeable stream of wasps at the roof edge as soon as you step out of the car.
- Wasps at the windows of an upstairs room, or on the ceiling.
- A faint rustling from the roof space or an upstairs wall.
- A brown stain on a ceiling that was clean on your last visit.
- More dead wasps than usual on sills and floors.
If you see these, stop and look at the roof from a safe distance before you go further. Do not walk beneath the entry.
Spend a moment on a slow walk around the outside before you unlock. The first clue is often the one you can see from the path.
Entering a property with a nest above it
Do not rush in. Park away from the side of the building where the wasps are active, and use a door that is not beneath the entry. If the only door is on the nest side, move quickly and calmly, without waving your arms or slamming the door.
Once inside, close doors to any room that has wasps and open a window in a different room to let strays out. Do not turn on lights in a room full of wasps, as that draws them towards you.
Leave the roof alone. A property that has been shut up has not had its roof checked in weeks, and tiles may be loose. Climbing up to see is a bad idea.
If the house has been shut for a while, expect a stale, warm interior, and be careful about opening windows in rooms close to the nest. Open those on the far side first.
Take care with cupboards and boxes in rooms under the roof, because stray wasps can gather there.
Handling the booking from a distance
If you are not at the property, you can still arrange a visit. Say so when you ring, and explain how the technician can reach the roof. Many roof nests can be treated from outside, so you may not need to be present.
Give the address, the side of the building where the wasps appear, and any access details such as a side gate or a key arrangement. Think about who else could meet the technician, such as a neighbour, a cleaner or a managing agent.
If you manage a holiday let, mention that guests are due. The office can talk through timing, and evening and weekend slots may help.
A key safe, a spare key with a neighbour or a clear plan for who lets the technician in can save a second trip to the property.
Do not ask a cleaner or a neighbour to climb up to look. Being asked to check the inside of a house is reasonable; climbing is not.
Guests, tenants and managers
If the property is let to guests or tenants, tell the people concerned straight away. A nest is a safety matter, and guests need to know to avoid the affected part of the building.
What happens to bookings, refunds or responsibilities depends on your agreements, your policy and the terms of any letting. That is something to check in your own paperwork.
If someone is stung, wash the skin gently, pick out the sting if it shows and then cool it with a cold pack. Phone 999 immediately if breathing becomes difficult, or the face, lips or throat begin to swell, or the person feels dizzy or comes out in a rash across the body.
If guests have already been stung or frightened, a short, honest note about what you are doing to fix it goes a long way.
Price, booking and afterwards
Treating a nest costs a fixed £120 per nest, and there is no call-out fee. A second nest on the same property is charged at £60 extra. The price graphic promises one visit guaranteed, and it does not vary for the property being empty or the technician working while you are away.
Appointments are available seven days a week, with same-day service, evenings and weekends. Phone 01622 410 019 or send the online form, which also works for emergencies outside office hours. The technician is fully insured and qualified, and domestic and commercial properties alike are served.
After the visit, wasps may still circle the old gap for a short time. Ask about taking down the empty nest, and arrange for a roofer to repair the entry. Check the roof at the start of every season, so that a gap is found before a wasp finds it.
Visit in late April and early May if you can, as a short check at the start of the season is the best protection against a surprise in August.
Wasps on your property in Reculver?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.