Found a Wasp Nest in Your Loft in Yorkletts? Here's What to Do
When an older relative finds wasps in the loft, the family often steps in. Here is how to arrange the visit safely and kindly, whether or not you live nearby.
Taking the worry off their shoulders
For an older person living alone, a wasp nest can be frightening and confusing. They may not want to bother the family, they may not know who to call and they may be worried about the cost. Often they simply avoid the loft and cope with a few wasps in the house, hoping the problem goes away.
If you are the son, daughter, neighbour or friend who finds out, the most useful thing you can do is take charge of the practicalities. A short call to your relative and a booking made on their behalf will usually be a relief to everyone.
Do not forget the emotional side. Older people may worry about being a burden, or about strangers in the house. A familiar voice making the arrangements, and a clear explanation of what is going to happen, goes a long way. If they like to meet the technician, be present or arrange for someone they trust to be there.
Talking it through
Keep the conversation simple and reassuring.
- Explain that a wasp nest in the roof is common and can be treated.
- Say that the price is fixed and that you will arrange it.
- Ask what they have seen or heard, and where.
- Remind them to keep the loft hatch shut and not go up.
- Ask whether anyone else visits who might be at risk.
Do not scold if they have tried to deal with it themselves. Many people do, and it helps to know what was done.
If your relative has already been stung, check how they are. Most stings are minor, but it is wise to make sure they have washed the area and are not showing signs of a reaction. Keep an eye on them for the rest of the day.
Arranging access
If you are not there, agree how the technician will get in. Options include a neighbour with a key, a lockbox or being there yourself for the appointment. Make sure your relative knows who will be coming and when. A short note by the door and a phone call beforehand helps them feel comfortable.
Tell us if your relative has limited mobility, hearing problems or any particular needs. We will do what we can to make the visit easy for them. We offer evening and weekend appointments, which may suit family members who work.
Try to take a few notes while you talk. The date the wasps were first seen, the rooms affected and the side of the house with wasps at the roof edge are all helpful for the booking.
Keeping them safe in the meantime
Until the visit, make sure your relative stays away from the loft and landing if wasps are about. Check that rooms with wasps have their doors closed, and that they know to open a window to let strays out rather than swatting them. If they are on a ground-floor bedroom, they may prefer to sleep there.
Remind them about stings: wash the area, remove the sting if visible and use a cold pack. If there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash, call 999. If they have a known allergy, tell us when you book so the appointment can be prioritised.
Remember that hearing and mobility can affect how an older person responds to a visit. The technician will knock clearly and explain who they are. If a doorbell cannot be heard, tell us.
If you live some distance away, a short video call to your relative can help. Ask them to show you the landing and the hatch from a distance, and point the camera at the places where wasps have been seen. It gives you a better sense of the situation than a phone call alone, and it lets you pass on accurate details when you book.
A neighbour can also be a great ally. Someone nearby who can pop in during the visit, make a cup of tea and be a familiar face is a comfort. If your relative has a regular carer, tell them about the nest and the plan, so that they too keep away from the loft and landing.
Finally, make sure your relative has the booking details written down in large print, including the date, the time and our phone number. A note beside the telephone saves anxiety on the day.
Booking and paying
Each nest is treated for a fixed £120 per nest, an extra nest on the same property is £60 extra, and there is no call-out charge. The visit is made by a fully insured, qualified technician, and it comes with one visit guaranteed. We are open seven days a week and offer same-day service where we can.
Either call 01622 410 019 or use the form on our contact page. Give your own contact number as well as your relative's, and say how payment will be handled. We cover Yorkletts and nearby villages, and we look after homes of all kinds.
If your relative lives in sheltered or managed accommodation, check with the manager or warden first, as they may need to be involved.
After the visit
When the work is done, call your relative to check on them, and make sure they know it is safe to use the house as usual once the technician has said so. Dead wasps can be vacuumed or swept up by you on your next visit, rather than leaving it to them. Ask at booking whether the empty nest can be taken down.
Next spring, offer to glance at the roofline when you visit. A few minutes, from a safe distance, is all it takes to spot early signs.
Add our number to their phone or write it on a card by the telephone, so they have it should wasps return next summer.
Wasps on your property in Yorkletts?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.