Found a Wasp Nest in Your Loft in Swalecliffe? Here's What to Do
Finding one nest does not always mean there is only one. Here is how second nests happen, how to spot them and how they are priced.
Why one nest can become two
It is a surprise to many householders, but it is not unusual for a property to hold more than one wasp nest in a season. A loft may have a nest at each end of the roof. A garage, a shed or a porch may host another. Each is a separate colony, started independently in spring by different insects, and they do not share wasps.
The conditions that suit one nest often suit another. A building with gaps at the eaves, a quiet roof space and a sunny aspect offers several suitable sites. So when one nest is treated, it is worth asking whether there might be another nearby, especially if wasps keep arriving afterwards.
In practice the first nest is usually the one you notice, simply because it is the one nearest to a living space. The second may be quieter, further from the house or higher in the roof. It may not become obvious until the first is gone and the remaining traffic looks more distinct.
Signs of a second colony
Be alert to clues that don't fit a single nest.
- Wasp traffic continues at a second gap on a different side of the building.
- Noise comes from two separate parts of the roof.
- Wasps appear in rooms at opposite ends of the house.
- Activity carries on strongly several days after treatment.
- A flight line leads to a shed, garage or porch roof.
None of these is certain proof, but any of them is a reason to ring and say what you have seen.
Gather what you can. Write the date, time and place for each sighting. Two columns on a sheet of paper, one for each suspected nest, is a neat way to organise it. When you phone, read the list. It gives the technician a better picture than a general account.
How the extra nest is priced
The first nest is a fixed £120 per nest. A further nest on the same property is priced at £60 extra. Both prices are fixed, there is no call-out charge, and the technician will tell you at once if a second nest is found during the visit. You are not asked to pay more because the nest is larger, harder to reach or because it is an evening or a weekend.
If the second nest is spotted only after the first visit, it is a new booking. Phone us, say what has changed and we will arrange a time. If it is discovered during the same visit, the extra nest is dealt with then and there.
Think of the pricing as straightforward: one nest, one price; second nest on the same property, a smaller price. If you manage a larger site with several buildings, we can talk through the best way to arrange visits.
Telling the technician what you know
When you book, mention everything you have noticed, even if it seems minor. If you have seen wasps flying into the porch roof as well as the eaves, say so. If you think activity is coming from the garage, say so. The technician will inspect the loft first, then look at other areas of the property.
A tidy way to help is to draw a quick sketch or take a few photographs from a safe distance, marking where wasps have been seen. It does not have to be neat. The technician will use it as a prompt on the day.
If you can, tell us whether there are outbuildings. Sheds, summerhouses, garages and porch roofs all make attractive nest sites, and it is quicker to check them on the same visit than to return.
Sometimes the second nest is not in a building at all. A hole in the ground under a hedge, an old tree stump or a compost heap can all host a colony, and the wasps may fly in and out of your garden throughout the day. If you see a line of wasps vanishing into the soil, mention it. We treat wasp nests wherever they are, and the same fixed prices apply.
Do not try to confirm by walking up to the spot. Stay several metres away and keep children and pets clear.
Safety while you wait
Keep the loft hatch shut and avoid the roof space. Do not seal any gap, however tempting. Open a window to let stray wasps out of any room, and keep doors closed. Keep children and pets away from the landing and from any outbuilding with wasp activity.
Anyone with a known allergy should be mentioned when you book, so that the appointment can be prioritised. Wash any sting, remove it if visible and use a cold pack; call 999 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash.
Remember that wasps in the garden are not always from your nest. They may come from a neighbour's, from a hedge or from a hole in the ground. If you are unsure, tell us what you can see and we will advise.
Booking
To book, phone 01622 410 019 or complete the online form on the contact page. Our diary is open every day of the week, with same-day service offered and appointments in the evening and at weekends. The person who comes out is fully insured and qualified, and we stand by one visit guaranteed. We cover Swalecliffe and surrounding villages for homes and commercial premises.
Afterwards, clear up dead wasps with a vacuum or a brush and pan, and ask at booking whether the empty nests can be taken down. Look at the roofline in the days after treatment to check that traffic has stopped.
When you ask about the empty nests, it helps to say how many there are and where, so the technician can plan accordingly.
Wasps on your property in Swalecliffe?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.