Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Swinnow Homes
Treatment deals with the nest, but the gap in your roof is still there afterwards, so it helps to know what to do in the days and weeks that follow.
The answer: repair, then watch
Once the wasp nest under your roof tiles has been treated, there are two jobs left. The first is to put right whatever allowed the wasps in. The second is to keep an eye out for any new activity over the rest of the season. Neither is difficult, but both are worth doing if you do not want to face the same situation again.
Wasps do not generally reuse an old nest, but a new queen the following spring may choose the same opening if it is still available.
Many people feel that the job is over once the technician drives away. In practice the visit is the biggest step, but a few follow-up measures turn a one-off fix into a lasting one.
Treat the weeks after treatment as a time to tidy up rather than a time of risk. The colony has gone, and the remaining work is practical and unhurried.
Keep a note of anything you notice, since it can be useful if you speak to us again.
The first few days
You may see a few wasps around the roofline in the first day or two. These are often foragers that were out when the visit took place and are returning to a nest that is no longer active. It is normal, and the numbers should fall away quickly.
During this time, keep away from the gap and keep windows near it closed if you can. Do not clear anything away from the entrance or try to look inside. If you notice large numbers of wasps continuing to come and go, or wasps appearing indoors, ring us so we can discuss what you are seeing.
If you have any concern about what is happening, speak to the technician or phone the number you booked with.
Wasps that have lost their nest are disoriented, and a handful may hang around the area for a short time. That is not a sign the visit failed. It is a natural effect of the colony’s absence, and it ends quickly.
Asking about the empty nest
It is worth asking, when you book or on the day, whether the empty nest can be taken down. The answer may depend on where it is and how easy it is to reach. In some cases it is left in place and is of no further concern. Either way, ask, so you know what to expect and can plan any repair accordingly.
If the nest is in a hard-to-reach place, a roofer may be able to deal with it as part of repair work. Do not attempt to remove it yourself.
If it is any help, take a photo of the area before and after the treatment, from the ground. It gives a roofer a clear idea of the position when you arrange repairs.
The technician can tell you, when they have finished, what they found and whether any other part of the roof looks like an obvious entrance for the future. That is the best moment to ask, as they have just seen the roofline at close quarters.
Putting the roof right
Closing the gap is the sensible follow-up. Depending on the cause, that might mean refitting a slipped tile, replacing a cracked one, repairing mortar or filling a gap in a board. A roofer or builder will advise on the best approach.
- Ask them to inspect the whole roofline, not just the entrance the wasps used.
- Check ridge tiles, verges and the junction with the wall.
- Look at the soffits, fascias and any vents.
- Consider mesh or other protection where a gap cannot be fully closed.
Do the work after the nest has been treated, not before, and preferably in autumn or winter when there is no live colony to disturb.
Choose a roofer who will look at the whole roofline and give you a clear description of what they propose. A small repair now is a lot cheaper and less stressful than another summer with wasps.
Cleaning up and checking indoors
If the nest was close to a ceiling, there may be marks or debris to deal with. A stain on plasterboard can be sealed and repainted once you are sure it has dried. If anything looks damp, have it checked by a builder, since a stain may have another source.
Check the loft only when you are sure the colony is no longer active, and take care. If you find old paper nesting material, keep it out of reach of children and pets and ask a professional to clear it if you are unsure.
If you have a loft, keep the hatch closed for a little while and treat the loft with caution. Insulation can hide dead wasps and old material, so wear gloves if you are clearing anything.
A coat of paint over a dry stain is fine, but if the mark returns, ask a builder to look at the ceiling and the roof above it.
If wasps come back or you find another nest
Occasionally a second nest appears elsewhere on the property. If so, tell us. A further nest at the same address costs £35. A nest is treated for a fixed £90, and there is no call-out charge. We are open seven days a week, offer same-day service and handle domestic and commercial premises, with trained technicians and fully insured work.
Call 0113 347 0014 or send the online form from the contact page. The price is confirmed on the phone before a visit and nothing is done until you agree. Mention any wasp-sting allergy in the household, and tell us if the gap is high. We cover Swinnow and the surrounding area.
Make a note of the date of the treatment. If wasps reappear the next year, it helps to know it was a new queen rather than a leftover from this season.
Wasps on your property in Swinnow?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.