Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Welling Homes
The side edge of a pitched roof, where the tiles meet the end wall, is a common entry for wasps. Here is how to spot a gable-end nest and what to avoid.
The edge that gets forgotten
Most people look at the front and back of the roof. The side edge, where the tiles stop at a gable wall, gets less attention. This is called the verge, and it is sealed with mortar or a trim that can crack, shrink or come loose.
Behind the verge is the end of the roof structure, a sheltered cavity at the top of the wall. To a wasp in spring it is a dry, quiet place to start a colony.
Welling, in the London Borough of Bexley, has plenty of buildings with gable ends, and any of them can be affected.
The trim along the edge of a verge can be mortar, a plastic or timber board, or a clipped-on dry verge system. Each ages in its own way, and each has seams where a gap can open.
Because the end wall faces away from the road on many plots, a verge nest can go unseen until the wasps appear at a window.
Spotting a verge nest
The verge is a long, sloping line, so the wasps may enter at any point along it. The most common places are near the top, close to the ridge, and at the foot, near the eaves.
- Wasps landing on the edge of the roof and creeping beneath the verge tiles.
- Cracked or missing mortar along the sloping edge of the roof.
- A loose barge board or trim on the side of the gable.
- Wasps at an upstairs window in the end wall of the house.
- A faint hum from the wall near the roof edge.
Stand back on the side where the gable faces and watch the whole length of the verge in turn.
Wasps may use more than one point along the verge, so it is worth watching the whole edge before you decide where the main entry is.
Remember the sunny side. Wasps use the warm face of the roof first, so a verge on the shaded side may look quiet even when it is in use.
Why it is awkward to reach
A gable end is often the tallest wall of the building, and the verge slopes steeply. A ladder placed against the end wall reaches the roof edge at an angle, and the person on it has to lean outwards to see anything.
This is the position in which a sting is most likely to cause a fall. The wasps are at face height, the ladder is leaning, and there is nothing to hold on to.
The technician has the equipment and the training for the job. Leave the verge to them.
From the ground you can often see the verge more clearly than the rest of the roof, because the wall is blank and the edge stands out. A phone photograph from the corner of the plot usually shows the whole slope.
Wasps coming and going at that height are also easy to lose against the sky, so use the dark tiles or the wall behind as a backdrop when you watch.
Do not fill the verge joint
Mortar and sealant are the usual repair for the verge, and they look like an easy way to block the wasps. They are not. With the colony inside, a sealed joint pushes the wasps along the cavity to find another exit. The nearest alternatives may be through the end wall into a room.
Equally, do not try to push the loose tiles back into place. They may be the only thing keeping the entrance small, and moving them can open it.
Keep windows in the end wall shut and keep the household away from the base of the gable until the nest has been treated.
Do not be tempted to hose or spray from a first-floor window along the wall either. It will not reach the nest and puts you at the same height as the wasps.
Quick decision guide for the household
When you cannot tell what to do, a short list helps.
- Watch from a distance and find the entry.
- Take a photograph and note which wall it is on.
- Close the windows and doors on that side of the house.
- Keep children and pets in another part of the garden.
- Ring the office and describe what you have seen.
After a sting, clean the spot, take out the sting if you can see it and apply a cold pack. Call 999 if the face, lips or throat swell, or there is wheezing or difficulty breathing, or if there is dizziness or a rash spreading across the body. Anyone who knows they are allergic should say so on the phone, so that the booking can be prioritised.
Keep a note of the time when you first saw the wasps at the verge. It helps the office judge how established the nest is.
Price, booking and what comes after
You pay one fixed price of £120 per nest, with no hidden fees. Another nest at the same address costs £60 extra. The graphic on the price list shows the line one visit guaranteed, and there is no extra for height or an end-wall position.
Telephone 01622 410 019, or send the online form from the contact page, which is also available for emergencies outside office hours. The team works every day, including evenings and weekends, and can offer same-day appointments to homes and businesses. Whoever attends is both insured and qualified for roof work.
Once the wasps have gone, get the verge repaired by a roofer. The technician can tell you whether the empty nest can be taken down first.
Gable-end repairs are best done in dry weather, and some need a scaffold or tower, so the roofer will want to plan the work.
When booking, mention whether there is side access to the gable wall, such as a path or a gate, as it helps the technician plan how to reach it.
Wasps on your property in Welling?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.