Found a Wasp Nest in Your Loft in Harewood? Here's What to Do
The usual mistake is to start shifting stored boxes to see what is behind them. This guide covers what to leave alone and how to prepare.
The mistake: moving the boxes to find the nest
A loft used for storage is a good home for wasps and a bad place to go hunting for them. Boxes of old clothes, suitcases, Christmas decorations and rolled-up carpet create dark pockets against the eaves, and those pockets are the sort of space a queen is drawn to. The common mistake is to hear or see wasps, then go up to move things around and find out where they have settled.
Moving a box that sits near a nest is about the most provoking thing you can do. The vibration, the sudden change in light and the movement of the object can all trigger a defensive response. People tend to find out how close the nest is by being stung.
If you live in Harewood and have wasps in the house but a loft full of belongings, accept that the things can wait. Whatever is up there, it is cheaper to replace a few boxes than to be stung in a confined space.
Checklist: working out what is where without going up
You can learn a lot about a loft's contents and the likely position of a nest without ever stepping into it.
- Think about what is stored where, and tell us the general layout when you book. For example, if the stored items are near the eaves or in the middle of the floor.
- Note which side of the house the wasps seem to be using on the outside, since the nest is often within reach of the entrance.
- Check whether the loft is boarded, has a light, and how big the hatch is. Mention any of these, because it helps the technician arrive prepared.
- Make a list of anything valuable or fragile kept in the loft, so you know what to check afterwards.
- Think about whether the hatch is reached by a ladder or a pull-down stair, and whether you can clear the landing beneath it.
This is the sort of practical information that makes the visit straightforward. None of it requires you to enter the loft.
Getting the landing and hatch ready
The one bit of preparation worth doing is on your side of the hatch. Clear the landing and the approach to the hatch of boxes, laundry baskets and other obstacles, so the technician can set up a ladder and move safely. If the hatch is in a cupboard or a narrow hall, clear that space too.
Keep pets elsewhere. A curious dog or cat underneath a hatch is a safety hazard for itself and the technician. If there is a nervous child in the house, arrange for them to be in another room.
Do not, however, open the hatch to tidy things up, or pull down a ladder you have not used for years. Leave it to the technician to open the hatch when they are ready.
If your loft is used for business storage, such as stock or files, tell us it is a commercial property when you call. We carry out domestic and commercial treatments, and it is useful to know who will be on site.
What to do about the things up there afterwards
After a treatment, the contents of the loft need a little care. Wait until the technician tells you it is fine, then go up when the activity has stopped. Wear long sleeves, gloves and closed shoes, and take a bin bag.
Look through the items nearest the nest. Dead wasps can be caught in folds of fabric and cardboard, and a sting from a dead wasp is still possible if you handle it carelessly. Shake out or wipe items outdoors rather than in the house, and sweep up what falls.
The paper nest may be stuck to a rafter or to stored items. Ask at booking whether the empty nest can be removed, and do not pull it down yourself unless you have been advised that it is safe. Cardboard boxes touched by wasps can be thrown away if they are heavily marked.
If you use the loft to store anything food-related, check it for wasps before bringing it down.
A loft with boxes against the eaves, in practice
Picture a typical situation: a boarded loft, a dozen boxes pushed back under the slope of the roof, and a gap at the eaves where the wasps are flying in. The queen has chosen the pocket behind the nearest boxes, which is dry, dark and quiet. From the landing, you can hear a rasping above, and there are two or three wasps a day in the bedroom below.
The instinct is to go up and pull the boxes forward. The better response is to do nothing in the loft at all. The technician will come with the equipment to deal with the nest where it is, regardless of what is stacked around it. The only person who needs to get near the boxes is them.
You may notice later that a box has been moved slightly, or that the technician has had to work around your storage. That is part of the job, and it is why it helps to tell us beforehand what is stored where. Once they have finished, you can put everything back as you found it, after checking each item for wasps.
Booking and what it costs
To book, ring 0113 347 0014 or use the booking form on the contact page. We confirm the price over the phone first, and nothing is done until you agree. Treating a nest costs £90, with no call-out charge, and a second nest on the same property is £35. Trained, fully insured technicians can often attend the same day, and we are open seven days a week.
If anyone in your home is allergic to wasp stings, let us know when you book. Wasps begin nesting in late April depending on the weather, and a nest can grow to thousands by August, so earlier action is easier.
Wasps on your property in Harewood?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.