Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Weardley Homes
Calling the roofer first seems logical, but a live nest changes the order of work. This guide explains who to ring first and how to coordinate the two jobs.
The mistake: ringing the roofer first
Wasps are going in under a slipped tile, so the obvious step is to get the tile fixed. Many homeowners phone a roofer, arrange a date and wait. It sounds efficient, but it puts the repair in front of the problem. A roofer arriving at a live entrance is in the same position as anyone on a ladder beside a nest, and a good one will want the wasps dealt with before starting.
Better to get the order right from the beginning. What follows is a sequence you can follow if you live in Weardley, or indeed anywhere with a roof.
There is a practical point as well. Roofing contractors are often booked weeks ahead. If you wait for a repair slot before dealing with the wasps, you could be living with the nest through the busiest part of the season. The nest treatment is a quick visit, so it is perfectly reasonable to do it first and let the roof repair follow when the roofer is available.
The sequence that saves time
- Confirm the nest from the ground, noting where wasps are entering.
- Book the nest treatment first, since it is a quick job with a fixed price.
- Tell the roofer about the wasps when you arrange the repair, and give them the date of the treatment.
- Let the roofer work only after the nest has been dealt with, so they are not at risk.
- Ask for a thorough check of the surrounding tiles, soffits and fascias while they are up there.
Following this order avoids a wasted visit, a rushed rescheduling or, worse, an incident at height.
It also gives you control. By arranging the treatment yourself, you decide the timing, and you can give the roofer a clean start. Nobody has to cancel at the last minute because there is an active entrance by the gutter.
What the roofer will want to know
Roofers are used to this question, and being ready for it makes things smoother.
- Where on the house the wasps were going in.
- When the nest was dealt with, and whether activity has stopped.
- Whether the empty nest was taken down, if that was arranged.
- Whether there are signs of other gaps nearby.
If the empty nest is still in place, it may be in the way of the repair. You can ask at booking whether our technician can take the empty nest down, which can make the roofer’s job easier.
If you are asking a builder to look at a larger job, such as replacing a whole section of fascia, mention the wasps up front. They may choose to schedule the work for after the treatment, and it saves an awkward conversation on the day.
Keep a note of anything that the roofer says about hidden gaps, since it helps if you need to talk to us about a second nest.
Why the tile is rarely the whole story
A displaced tile is the visible clue, but wasps are looking for a way into a sheltered cavity, and plenty of small gaps will do. They can slip behind a fascia board, through a worn edge of the soffit, or beneath the ridge of a tile. Repairing only the one you noticed leaves the rest. A thorough look after treatment is therefore better than a single patch.
That is also why it is better to avoid DIY sealing in a hurry. Filling the visible hole while the colony is alive can push wasps to another exit, perhaps indoors. Wait until the nest is dealt with, then close everything properly in one go.
Think about the following spring as well. Queens look for sheltered openings in early season, and a gap that was used once is a good candidate to be used again. Repairs made in autumn or winter, once the nest is gone, mean the entrance is closed before anything new arrives.
If you rent or the roof is shared
Not everyone owns the roof they are worried about. If you rent, or the building is managed by someone else, you will want to tell them what you have found. Responsibility for pest treatment and repairs depends on your tenancy agreement or lease, so read it or ask the person who manages the property, rather than assuming.
In the meantime, nothing stops you from watching from a distance, noting the details and keeping the household away from the wall. Those notes are useful to whoever ends up arranging the work.
A quick word on scaffolding or access towers. If there is already equipment on the building for another job, tell us when you ring. It may make reaching the nest easier, though the technician will want to check the position first, and the price will be confirmed on the phone, as always.
Booking
Ring 0113 347 0014 or use the online booking form on the contact page. Tell us where the wasps are entering and whether anyone at home is allergic to stings. We confirm the price on the phone, and nothing happens without your agreement.
A nest is treated for a fixed £90, with £35 for an additional nest on the same property, no call-out charge and same-day service. We work for homes and businesses, our Our team is trained, and the work is insured in full. If the position is hard to reach and needs special equipment, we will explain this on the call before arranging a visit.
You do not need to have chosen a roofer before you ring. Plenty of people deal with the wasps first and look for a roofer afterwards, using the technician’s comments about the entrance as a starting point.
Wasps on your property in Weardley?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.