Found a Wasp Nest in Your Loft in West Malling? Here's What to Do
If you rent your home or manage a let property, a wasp nest raises a practical question first: who arranges and pays for the treatment? Here is how to approach it.
A nest in a property you do not own
Tenants often hesitate when they find wasps in the roof space. The loft is part of the building, and it is not always clear whether it is the tenant's job or the landlord's to deal with it. Meanwhile the colony keeps growing, which is no help to anyone.
Whose responsibility it is depends on the tenancy agreement and on what you and your landlord or agent have agreed, so check the paperwork and ask. We cannot give legal advice on this. What we can say is that the sooner the question is raised, the sooner the nest can be treated, and wasps do not wait for paperwork.
Tell the landlord or agent in writing, so there is a record of when you first reported it, and include any photographs of wasps at the roofline.
What to tell the landlord or agent
A short, factual message works best. Include the following points:
- The date you first noticed wasps and where in the property.
- Whether wasps are getting indoors, and into which rooms.
- That you have kept the loft hatch closed and not gone up.
- That a specialist can attend quickly, with a fixed price of £120 per nest.
- Whether anyone in the household is allergic to stings.
Landlords usually prefer a quick solution to a nest that grows. Offering the fixed price removes uncertainty, since it does not change with the size of the nest or the day of the visit.
Safety in the meantime
Whatever is decided, you still live there. Keep the hatch shut, keep everyone out of the loft and avoid blocking any outside gaps. Close the door of any room where wasps are coming through, and open a window to let strays out.
If the loft is shared access for several flats or a communal landing, tell the other occupants so nobody opens the hatch by accident. A short note on the door is enough.
Do not attempt to deal with it yourself using sprays from the supermarket. These rarely reach the nest, and they can provoke the wasps. The landlord or agent will not thank you for a swarm in the stairwell either.
Booking the visit
Anyone can make the booking: tenant, landlord, managing agent or a business owner. When you phone 01622 410 019 or use the online form, give the address, the contact on site and who will pay, and say whether the visit needs keys or access arranged. We are open seven days a week and offer same-day service, with evening and weekend appointments, and the online form can be used for emergency requests out of hours.
The charge is a fixed £120 for the first nest and £60 for each extra nest on the same property, with no call-out charge. The work is done by a technician who is fully insured and qualified, with one visit guaranteed. We work on domestic and commercial premises in West Malling and nearby villages, so a landlord with several lets can ask about each address.
If it is the tenant who pays and wants to claim it back, keep the receipt and ask the landlord or agent what the tenancy agreement says.
Whatever the answer on responsibility, you can take sensible steps today. Photograph the wasps and the entrance from a distance, keep the hatch closed, and write down the dates. Make the call to the landlord or agent first, then to us once they have agreed.
If the situation is urgent, for instance wasps entering a child's bedroom in large numbers, say so clearly. Most landlords will agree to immediate action when it is a safety matter, and the online form can be used for emergency requests outside normal hours.
Small businesses and shared premises
A nest above a shop, office or workshop raises the same questions. Staff, customers and deliveries all pass through, so tell colleagues not to open any roof hatch or service cupboard. Pick a time for the visit when the premises are quiet if possible; we offer evening and weekend appointments for this reason.
The fixed price applies to commercial work just as it does to homes, and the technician is fully insured and qualified. Keep a note of what the visit covered so the business has a clear record.
Wasp colonies are not always confined to a single roof. If the building next door is close and you have noticed wasps on that side, a friendly word with the neighbour can help. They may have a nest of their own, or they may simply be glad of the warning. Each property is treated separately, and your booking covers yours only.
Whoever ends up paying, a short written record saves arguments later. Note the date you reported the wasps, the date of the visit, what the technician told you and any receipt. A few lines in an email to the agent or landlord is enough. If a deposit or inventory check comes up at the end of the tenancy, that record shows the nest was dealt with promptly and properly.
Afterwards: clearing up and reporting
After treatment you may find dead wasps near the hatch or on the landing. A tenant can vacuum those up. Anything involving the structure, such as a gap in the fascia, may be a matter for the landlord, depending on the tenancy agreement.
Ask the technician whether the empty nest can be removed, and tell the landlord or agent when the work is done so the record is complete. If the property is let to new tenants later, it is useful to mention that a nest was treated, so they know to keep an eye on the roofline next spring.
For business landlords with commercial units, the same sequence applies: report, book, confirm and keep the paperwork on file.
Wasps on your property in West Malling?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.