Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Blenheim Homes
Garages, porches and outbuildings often have simple roofs with plenty of small gaps, and a nest there can go unnoticed until wasps start arriving in numbers.
The wasps by the garage door
You go to fetch something from the garage and find a wasp or two hovering close to the roof, then more of them by the time you leave. You look up and see them going in and out near the corner where the roof meets the wall. Nothing about it looks dramatic, but the repetition is unmistakable.
People often assume a nest must be in the main house roof. In fact, garages, porches, lean-to extensions and outbuildings are all common spots for a nest under the tiles, felt or boards. They are often less well maintained than the house itself, and the gaps stay open.
Flat roofs and felt coverings on garages are particularly easy for a queen to get under at an overlap or a split in the edge, and she may stay unnoticed through May and June.
Why smaller buildings are popular
A queen looking for a cavity in spring is after something dry and quiet. A garage roof or the underside of a porch roof often offers precisely that. These buildings may have gaps at the edges, loose tiles or old felt, and nobody goes up there for months at a time.
Because they sit next to the garden and the car, a nest here can cause problems quickly. Wasps in Blenheim gardens, as elsewhere, are drawn to bins, drinks and the washing line, so a colony close to the back door means more encounters than one on a distant roof.
- Check the corners where the roof meets the wall.
- Look at the edges of any flat or sloped covering.
- Notice whether activity is higher on the sunny side, as warmth attracts them.
An old shed or lean-to that has stood unused for a while is a particularly attractive spot, since there is no daily disturbance to put a queen off.
Checking safely
You can look without putting yourself at risk. Stand a few metres away and watch for around ten minutes. A garage with an open door can be tempting to walk into, but if the nest is above, it is wise to avoid going in and out repeatedly while it is active. Closing the door and using another route may be sensible.
Do not shine a torch into the roof space or bang on the timbers. Keep pets and children out of the garage and away from the outside walls. If you need to get a bike or tool, wait until the nest has been dealt with, or take it quickly and quietly in the early part of the day when fewer wasps are flying.
Storing things safely while the nest is active
A garage or outbuilding is usually where bikes, tools, paint and the lawnmower live, so you cannot simply ignore it for a fortnight. A little planning helps you manage until the nest is dealt with.
If you must go in, choose a cooler part of the day when fewer wasps are flying, open the door fully, and move calmly. Wasps are more alert and more defensive in warm sunshine. Avoid leaving the door ajar for long periods, since open doors let wasps explore inside and possibly establish themselves among stored belongings.
Look at what is stored directly under the roof edge. Boxes of fruit, bags of compost and anything sweet or damp can attract foraging wasps. Move food items, cans and bottles away, and keep any bins inside the building tightly lidded.
If wasps do get into the garage, open the far window or door and let them find their own way out rather than chasing them. Shut the connecting door to the house so they cannot wander through.
When the treatment is finished, you can resume normal use. If the building has a loose tile or a gap in the felt, deal with it quickly afterwards to avoid a repeat.
If your garage roof is made of sheets, tiles or corrugated panels, the principle is the same. Whatever the material, the wasps use a gap between layers, and the safest approach is to leave the roof alone and ring for a treatment.
Why it is still not a DIY job
A garage roof seems low and approachable, and that is exactly why people get hurt. The surface may be brittle, mossy or weak, and putting a ladder against it can be risky. The nest is hidden, so you cannot judge where to approach from.
Do not seal the entrance either. Wasps will chew or search for another way out, which in a garage with a connecting door could mean the house. Leave the entrance open until the colony has been treated, then arrange a repair.
Booking and costs
A nest on any part of your property is treated for a fixed £90, and there is no call-out charge. If there is a second nest on the same property, it is £35. We confirm the price by phone before the technician arrives and do not start work until you have agreed.
Phone 0113 347 0014 or use the booking form on the contact page to arrange a visit. Tell us what type of building it is and how high the entrance sits, and we will confirm the visit arrangements on the call. Domestic and commercial customers are welcome, we are open seven days a week and same-day service is available. If anybody is allergic to stings, say so when booking.
Afterwards you can ask whether the empty nest can be taken down, and a handyman can fix the gap.
Once the nest has been dealt with, tidy anything that was moved and check the roof edges for the gap the wasps used. A small repair now saves a repeat visit later in the year.
Wasps on your property in Blenheim?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.