Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Tilbury Homes
Householders ringing about a roof nest tend to ask the same few things. This guide answers them in order, from first sighting to the day of the visit.
Is it really a wasp nest?
This is usually the first question, and the answer comes from watching, not guessing. A steady stream of wasps entering and leaving one gap in the roof is the strongest sign. Wasps landing on a table or a bin are less conclusive.
Look from the garden or the road on a warm afternoon. Note where the traffic is heaviest, take a photograph and keep your distance.
Tilbury, in Essex, has homes with all kinds of roofs, and the test is the same for all of them.
If you are still unsure, take a short video. Ten seconds of wasps going into a gap says a great deal, and you can describe it to the office without needing to go near the roof.
Can I deal with it myself?
It is a fair thing to ask, and the honest answer is that a roof nest is not a good job for a householder. The nest is out of sight, the wasps number in the thousands in late summer and the work means a ladder close to the entry.
Sprays, smoke and filler have limited effect and can make matters worse. A blocked entrance sends wasps looking for another way out, sometimes through a ceiling.
A fall from a ladder is also a bigger danger than the sting. The technician has the training and the equipment, and is fully insured and qualified.
People also ask whether it is acceptable to wait and see if the wasps go away. In summer, they do not. The colony grows week by week, and a gap that serves a few dozen wasps in June may serve thousands in August.
The answer is the same at any scale: a householder should not try to remove a nest from the roof.
What should I do in the meantime?
A few steps cost nothing and keep the household safe while you wait.
- Stay on the ground and keep a good distance from the entry.
- Close windows and doors on the side of the nest.
- Move chairs, toys, washing and pets away from the wall below.
- Cover food, drinks and bins outdoors.
- Tell the household and any visitors where the nest is.
Do not tap the roof, throw anything at it or shake the tiles. A disturbed colony reacts quickly.
If there are children in the house, explain what is happening in simple terms. A child who knows the rule is safer than one who is only told off.
Resist the urge to do anything dramatic on the first day. A calm, observant first day is the best preparation for a calm visit.
What will it cost?
The charge is always the same at £120 per nest, with no call-out charge on top. A further nest found on the property is charged at £60 extra. There are no hidden fees and nothing extra for the location or the time of day.
The price graphic shows the line one visit guaranteed. Customers can ring for a quote and a booking, so you can confirm the position before you commit to anything.
The same price applies whether the building is a home or a business.
People sometimes ask whether a high or awkward roof costs more. It does not, since the figure is the same for every position.
Another common question is whether a second nest is possible. If the technician finds one on the same property, it is £60 extra and is dealt with during the same visit.
What happens when the technician comes?
The technician will ask where the wasps are entering, look at the access, and deal with the nest safely. You may be asked to keep the household indoors and the pets inside for a while.
Ask at booking whether the empty nest can be taken down. That depends on where it is, and the technician can explain what is possible.
Afterwards, some wasps may circle the old entry for a short time. That is normal, and it tails off. Have a roofer repair the gap once things are quiet.
People often ask how they will know when the job is done. The technician will tell you before they leave, and you should see wasp traffic at the entry fall away over the days that follow.
If you notice wasps at the entry a day later, do not be alarmed. Workers that were out at the time may return before they realise the nest has gone.
How do I book?
The office is open seven days a week and offers same-day service, with evening and weekend appointments if daytime is hard. Ring 01622 410 019, or use the online form on the contact page. The form can also be used for emergencies outside office hours.
If anyone in the household is allergic to wasp stings, say so at the start, so that the booking can be prioritised. For an ordinary sting, wash the skin gently, pick out the sting if it shows and then cool it with a cold pack. Get emergency help on 999 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.
Have the details ready: which side of the house, how high the entry is, and whether any wasps are indoors. That is all the office needs to arrange a visit.
One more question: what if I am not sure the wasps are on my roof at all? Describe what you can see, and the office will help you work it out.
Booking early in the day gives the best chance of a same-day visit, though nothing is promised and the office will explain what is possible.
Wasps on your property in Tilbury?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.