Wasp Nest Removal for Landlords and Rental Properties in Southborough
First-time landlords often do not know what to do when a tenant reports wasps, and acting calmly and in order is the best approach.
Your first wasp report
You have bought or inherited a property, found a tenant and settled into a routine. Then the message arrives: there are wasps in the roof. If you have never dealt with one before, it can feel like an emergency with no obvious next step. It is not, as long as you act promptly and in sequence.
Wasps start nests from late April, depending on the weather. They build in gaps in eaves, walls, chimneys, trees, bushes and holes in the ground. The colony grows through summer and peaks in August, when a nest can hold from 2,000 to 10,000 wasps or more. That is why speed matters.
Wasp Exterminator Kent covers Southborough, next to Tunbridge Wells, and surrounding villages. Domestic and commercial properties are both covered.
Many first-time landlords worry that they will be blamed. In reality, tenants mostly want to know that you have heard them and are acting. A reply within the day, and a booking soon after, is what makes the difference, and neither requires any special knowledge.
Step one and two: gather facts, keep people safe
Reply to the tenant straight away. Thank them and ask a few questions, none of which require approaching the nest.
- Where exactly are the wasps going in and out?
- When did they first notice them?
- Has anyone been stung, and does anyone have a sting allergy?
- Is the nest inside the building or outside?
- What days and times could the technician get access?
Then tell them to keep away from the nest, not to spray, swat or block it, and to keep children and pets clear. Wasps can swarm and sting if threatened.
Keep your replies short and kind. A frightened tenant does not want a lecture, they want to know someone is dealing with it. Say what you will do and when you will update them, then do it.
Step three: check your paperwork
Look at the tenancy agreement for anything on pests, gardens and access for contractors. It will tell you what notice you must give for a visit and may say who is responsible for pests. We cannot give legal advice, so if the wording is unclear, ask the agent who set up the let, or a professional.
Do not let this step delay the booking. In most cases the sensible course is to arrange the visit and sort out any question of cost afterwards.
Keep a copy of the agreement in the property file where you can find it quickly. If you do not have one, ask the agent who arranged the tenancy to send it. The details about access are especially useful, as they tell you how much notice is expected before a technician can enter the home.
You may find the agreement says little about wasps. That is common, and it does not stop you booking. It simply means the question of cost is more open and best settled in a friendly conversation.
Step four: book
You can ring 01622 410 019 or send the online booking form from the contact page. Say where the nest is, what the tenant told you, how access will work and whether anyone is allergic to stings. Bookings are taken seven days a week, same-day service is offered and evening and weekend slots are available.
The price is £120 per nest, £60 for each additional nest on the same property, with no call-out charge and one visit guaranteed. The technician is fully insured and qualified, and the work is safe and effective. You do not need to understand the treatment; ask the technician at booking whether the empty nest can be taken down.
When the technician arrives, they will look at the nest and deal with it. You do not need to be there, but you may want to know afterwards what was found. Ask the tenant to pass on anything the technician said, and ask for an invoice that shows the address and date.
If the tenant is nervous, tell them the technician is fully insured and qualified. That small piece of information often settles a worried household more than any other.
Step five and six: tell the tenant, keep a record
Tell the tenant the day, the time window and what to do on the day. Ask them to keep children and pets away from the area. Message them afterwards to confirm it has been done.
Create a file for the property, if you do not already have one, and note the date of the report, the nest’s location, the date of treatment and the cost. Keep the invoice. If a similar report comes next year, you will have everything in one place.
If you are unsure about anything on the day, ring the business and ask. Nobody expects a new landlord to know the answers already.
Planning for next year
The best time to catch a nest is while it is small, in May or June. Ask your tenant to tell you promptly about wasps, and consider a quick walk round the outside in late spring. If the nest was in a gap in the building, ask a tradesperson about sealing it once the technician confirms it is inactive.
Most of all, do not feel embarrassed. A wasp nest says nothing about how well a property is run. A prompt response, calm communication and a sensible record are what make a good landlord, and they are within reach of anyone.
Think about how you would like reports to reach you. A phone number that is answered during the summer, or an email address you check daily, is enough. Tell the tenant what it is, and tell them it is fine to use it for small things as well as large ones.
Wasps on your property in Southborough?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.