Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Snodland Homes
Plugging the entrance to a roof nest feels like the quickest cure, but it traps the colony and usually sends wasps indoors. Here is what to do in its place.
The idea that seems to make sense
It is a natural thought. The wasps use a hole, so block the hole, and the problem ends. In practice it is one of the most common ways a roof wasp problem turns into a household one.
Behind the tiles or boards the nest is still alive, and it is still being built. The workers inside need to get out to feed, and the workers outside need to get in. Neither side can do so, and neither side stays still.
In Snodland as anywhere else, the instinct to seal is understandable. The trick is to do it at the right moment, which is after the nest has been dealt with.
There is also the matter of timing. A hole sealed on a cool morning, when only a few wasps are about, can seem to work for a day. Then the sun reaches the roof, the colony stirs, and the real consequences begin.
What the wasps do when the exit is shut
A colony does not give up. Wasps trapped in a roof void look for the next best way, and a roof has plenty of them. Gaps round pipes, spaces beside light fittings, cracks in the ceiling and the edges of a loft hatch can all serve.
- They may gather at a ceiling, a cornice or a light and then appear in a room.
- They may find the original entrance blocked and attack the repair, so the sealant fails.
- They may spread out along the roof and make several new entrances, turning one gap into several.
- Workers outside keep returning and circle the blocked hole, which makes the area around it more dangerous.
It is common to find wasps in a bedroom or landing within a day of a hole being sealed. A single room full of angry wasps is a far worse situation than a nest in the roof.
A trapped colony is noisy as well, which is the thing householders often notice first: a louder buzzing or scratching in the roof or the wall that was not there before. That is a sign the wasps are testing their surroundings for an exit.
Not filling a hole with foam, tape or a rag
Different materials fail in different ways. Foam can be chewed through. Tape peels. A rag falls out. Filler may harden over the hole but leave a weaker patch just beside it. Whatever you use, you will be standing close to the entrance when you do it, and that is the problem.
The wasps defend their nest from the moment you touch the surrounding area. Even a quick job can bring a few out, and you will probably need a ladder, which brings the risk of a fall with it.
If you have already blocked a hole, do not try to undo it. Close the doors of the rooms below, keep windows shut and ring the office to explain what has happened. The technician can make a plan from there.
What to do while you wait
There is a short list of sensible actions that cost nothing and keep everyone safe.
- Keep clear of the roof edge nearest the nest, and keep children and pets in a different part of the garden.
- Close windows and doors on that side of the house, especially in warm weather.
- Watch from a distance and take a photograph of the entry point.
- Do not spray, hose, smoke or poke the opening.
- Ring to arrange a treatment, and say if anyone in the household is allergic to stings.
People with a known allergy should speak to their GP in advance, and should mention it when booking so that the visit can be prioritised.
Whatever happens, resist any advice to light a fire, burn paper or use smoke near a roof opening. It is dangerous for the building, and it will not do what is claimed for it.
When closing the gap does make sense
Once the colony has been treated and the wasp traffic has died away, you are free to repair. A roofer or builder can replace the damaged tile, fit a new soffit or fill the cracks, and the repair will last because there is nothing left inside to push against it.
It is sensible to check the rest of the roofline at the same time. Wasps rarely choose a single hole when there are several similar ones, and a tidy-up before spring makes it harder for next year's wasps to find a way in.
Whether a repair is something your insurance covers, or something your landlord must arrange, depends on the policy or the tenancy agreement, so check the paperwork.
Bear in mind that the nest does not stop growing while you wait for the repair. Early on, in May and June, it is small. By August it can hold thousands of wasps. A nest left alone is therefore a worse job each week, even if the price stays level.
Price and booking
A nest is treated for a fixed £120 per nest, with a second nest on the same property at £60 extra. There is no call-out charge, and there are no hidden extras for roof height or time of day. One visit is guaranteed, and the technician is fully insured and qualified.
Wasp Exterminator Kent is open seven days a week and offers same-day service, along with evening and weekend appointments. Ring 01622 410 019 or use the online form, which also covers urgent enquiries out of hours. Ask about taking down the empty nest at the same time.
If you are not sure what you are looking at, take a photograph and describe it on the phone. The office can tell you whether it sounds like a wasp nest and how to keep everyone safe until the visit.
Wasps on your property in Snodland?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.