Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Farnley Homes
If wasps have already stung someone near the roofline, the first concern is the person, and the second is making sure it does not happen again.
Get away from the nest first
If someone has been stung close to a nest under the roof tiles, move them away from that side of the house straight away. Wasps that have been disturbed can sting more than once and may follow for a short distance. Walk calmly, go indoors, and close the door behind you.
Do not stop to look at the nest or stand about to see what the wasps are doing. A few metres of distance and a closed door make a real difference.
The sting itself is usually painful but not serious. What follows depends mostly on the person’s own reaction.
Panic makes things worse, so keep your own behaviour steady. Children in particular take their cue from adults, and a calm voice helps them stay still and follow instructions.
First aid for an ordinary sting
For a typical sting, general first aid is simple.
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- If you can see the sting, remove it by scraping it out sideways with a fingernail or a card.
- Apply a cold pack or a cloth soaked in cold water to ease swelling and pain.
- Keep the person calm and resting, and watch them for a while.
- Avoid scratching, since this can irritate the skin.
This is general safety information, not medical advice. If you are worried, speak to a pharmacist or your GP.
Do not squeeze or scratch the sting. Squeezing may release more of the venom, and scratching can break the skin and cause irritation. If the sting is on a hand or finger and you are wearing rings, take them off promptly in case of swelling. Keep an eye on the area for the next few hours.
Signs that need 999
Some people react far more strongly to a sting. Call 999 if you see any of these signs after a sting:
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat.
- Wheeze or difficulty breathing.
- Dizziness or feeling faint.
- A widespread rash away from the sting.
Do not wait to see if it gets better. If a person has a known allergy, they should speak to their GP about a plan for what to do, and everyone at home should know where any medication prescribed to them is kept.
Stay with the person for a while after the sting, since a reaction can come on in the minutes that follow. If you are alone with them, make sure they are sitting down and not on their own. People who are allergic often know it already, so ask whether they have had a reaction before.
Why stings near a nest are different
Wasps will sting if threatened. Near a nest, a person who is walking beneath the entrance, running a lawnmower close to the wall or knocking on a window may be seen as a threat. In a large colony in August, a sting can quickly turn into several stings. That is why avoidance is better than trying to cope with it afterwards.
Wasps that were stung near a nest may also release a scent that draws other wasps, so leave the area promptly.
A good rule is that anything which affects the body beyond the area of the sting is worth taking seriously. A localised sore patch is common. Anything involving breathing, the face or the person’s alertness is not.
Wasps sting to defend the nest, and the more disturbed the colony is, the more likely it is that others will join in. Quiet, steady movement away from the area is the best response. Sudden arm waving, shouting or swatting tends to make things worse. Once you are inside, check that no wasps have followed you in, and close windows if any are circling.
If the stung person is a child, keep them calm and comfortable, give them something to focus on and keep watching for any change in how they look or breathe.
Stopping it happening again
Once the person is safe, look at how the sting happened. Was it a gap by the back door? A washing line right under the entrance? A bin store by the wall? Move whatever put someone near the nest, and keep everyone clear of that side of the house until treatment is done.
Do not try to block the hole or knock down the nest. A disturbed colony with no exit will look for another way out, possibly into the house, and you could end up with more stings than before.
Consider a quick tour of the roofline after things have settled, from a safe distance, to see how busy the wasps are. A nest that has just stung someone is very active, and it is a good moment to arrange the visit while the details are fresh in your mind.
Booking the treatment
A nest is treated for a fixed £90, with £35 for an additional nest on the same property, and no call-out charge. We work seven days a week, offer same-day service and cover homes and businesses. Technicians are trained and the work is fully insured.
The phone number is 0113 347 0014, and the contact page has a booking form. Tell us that someone has already been stung, and mention any allergy in the household, so we can take it into account. The price is confirmed on the phone before a visit, and nothing is done until you agree. If the entrance is high, tell us, so access arrangements are agreed in advance. We cover Farnley, a suburb of Leeds, and the surrounding area.
Technicians are used to being called after a sting has taken place, so there is no need to feel awkward about it. It helps to give the technician the details of what happened and where, since that shows which part of the house is the busiest.
Wasps on your property in Farnley?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.