Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Moor Grange Homes
Before booking, it is worth knowing whether the insects going in under your tiles are wasps, because bees need a very different approach from a beekeeper.
Wasp, bee or something else
A neighbour leans over the fence and says the buzzing in your roof is probably bees. You are not so sure. The insects look smaller and sleeker than you expected, but from the ground they are only dark specks going into a gap. The answer matters, because it decides who you should call.
We treat wasps. We do not treat bees or hornets, and honeybees in particular are valuable and should be handled by someone who looks after them.
It is quite common to find that two different insects are involved: wasps nesting under a tile and bees simply visiting flowers nearby. Sorting out which is which stops you worrying about the wrong thing.
How to tell them apart from a distance
You do not need to get close. Use the general shape and behaviour you can see from a safe place, and a zoom photo if you can take one.
- Wasps have a smooth, narrow waist and bright yellow and black bands with very little hair.
- Honeybees look more golden-brown and furry, and are rounder in the body.
- Bumblebees are large, plump and clearly fluffy.
- Wasps tend to dart in and out quickly, whereas honeybees often make a steady stream of slower flights.
None of these is a perfect test. If you are in doubt, ring and describe what you see, and we will try to help you decide the right next step.
Colour alone is not a reliable guide, because bees can look dark against the sky and wasps can look pale in strong sun. Shape and movement are more useful.
Behaviour is the most useful guide. Wasps are often seen chewing wood, hunting around bins and drinks, and entering a gap at speed. Honeybees seldom bother your lunch and are more focused on flowers. Bumblebees tend to nest in the ground or in old rodent holes and are rarely found in roofs.
If you think they are bees
Honeybees and bumblebees deserve careful handling. If you believe your roof insects are honeybees or bumblebees, do not disturb them and contact a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation. They will know whether the colony can be moved safely.
Wasp nests are different. They are usually in a cavity of paper-like material, and the colony does not survive the winter. A busy colony can hold 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps at its peak in August, and the traffic near a roof entrance can be dense.
Whatever you find, do not block the entrance or disturb it. If it turns out to be bees, you will want them left in good condition for the beekeeper to move.
Be wary of advice from the internet that suggests smoking out or sealing a roof colony. Whichever insect it is, a disturbed colony is a bigger problem than a calm one.
What the nests look like
The nest itself can help to identify the occupant, though under tiles you will rarely see more than a hint of it. A wasp nest is made of a grey or brown paper-like material, built in layers that give it a papery, ridged look. If a corner of it is visible at the roof edge, that is a good sign you have wasps.
Bees, by contrast, build in wax comb, which looks quite different and may smell sweet. A honeybee colony in a roof can be present for years, and you may see a constant stream of insects at the entrance at all times of the year when the weather allows.
The timing is another clue. A wasp colony starts from a single queen in spring, expands through the summer and peaks in August. By the end of the year it dies off, apart from new queens that leave to shelter over winter.
None of this needs you to get closer. A zoomed photo from the ground and a note of when you noticed the activity are plenty.
If you are still in doubt after looking, you will not be the first to be unsure. A short phone call is enough to talk it through.
If a hornet really is the culprit, we will say so plainly and point you to the sensible next step rather than leave you guessing. A quick call costs nothing.
What about hornets
People sometimes mistake large wasps for hornets, and the reverse. We do not offer hornet treatments. If you honestly believe you have something larger than a common wasp, say so when you phone. We will ask what you have seen and tell you whether it is a job for us.
A simple description is enough. Tell us the colour, the approximate size next to a normal wasp, and how many are flying. Moor Grange residents often describe things as they look from a window, and that is perfectly fine.
It is also worth knowing that wasps are active from spring to autumn, whereas honeybees may be seen on any mild day through winter. A flurry of insects at a roof on a sunny January afternoon is therefore more likely to be bees than wasps.
If it is wasps, here is the plan
For wasps, we can help. The fixed price for a nest is £90, with no call-out charge, and £35 for an additional nest on the same property. The price is confirmed on the phone before the technician visits, and no work starts until you have agreed. Call 0113 347 0014 or use the form on the contact page.
Do not climb up to look more closely. Roof-level work is for trained technicians, who are fully insured, and wasps defend their entrances. Our service runs seven days a week, includes same-day visits and covers homes and businesses. If anyone is allergic to stings, let us know when booking. After treatment, a builder can repair the gap.
If it is not wasps after all, we would rather tell you so on the phone than send someone out for no reason. That is why a good description at the start helps.
Wasps on your property in Moor Grange?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.