Found a Wasp Nest in Your Loft in Barnet? Here's What to Do
A loft nest is not always the only one on a property. This guide explains how to check other roof spaces safely and how an additional nest is handled.
One nest is enough to worry about, but is it the only one?
When a nest turns up in the loft, the household usually assumes that is the end of it. Most of the time it is. But properties often have other sheltered spaces in or beside the roof, and a queen in spring can choose any of them. A second nest in the same building, or just across a garden in an outbuilding, is not unusual.
This guide is about how to check, without taking risks, and how an additional nest fits into the booking.
Gardens add to the picture. A hedge, a tree with a hollow or a compost heap can all hold a nest. These do not involve the roof at all, but they sit on the same property and fall under the same price rules.
Roof spaces other than the main loft
Think about the other areas on the property that have a void, a sheltered gap or an undisturbed corner.
- An extension roof or a flat roof edge.
- A garage, shed or outbuilding.
- A porch or canopy.
- A chimney breast or a wall cavity.
- The eaves on the opposite side of the house.
- Trees, hedges and holes in the ground, where nests also occur.
You do not need to inspect all of these from close range. Look from the ground, at a distance, and note anywhere that wasps go in and out.
Extensions and garages deserve special mention, since they are often built with their own roof voids, and these may be less well sealed than the main house. They also tend to be visited less often, which makes them appealing. Nobody expects you to know the construction details, only to notice where wasps go.
A calm walk around the property
Choose a dry, warm spell. Walk the boundary slowly, keeping a few metres from the building, and look at each roofline in turn. Stop and watch each suspect spot for a minute. Wasps fly in straight, purposeful lines, so a steady flow means something.
Do not open sheds or garages to look inside. Do not part hedges or lift anything off the ground. If you hear a hum behind a closed door, mark it mentally and move away. Everything you need can be found from outside.
Take notes as you go. A short list of the places where you saw wasps entering, with a note of which looked busiest, is far more useful than a general impression.
If you see a second suspicious spot, resist the urge to compare the two to decide which is the main nest. Report both. The technician will inspect each and tell you what they have found. The first nest is not necessarily the larger, and size does not affect the price in any case.
How an additional nest is handled
A nest on the same property as the first is an additional nest. The price is £30 extra, on top of the fixed £70 per nest for the first. You are not charged a call-out fee, and the price is fixed by phone before anyone visits. Special access equipment might raise it for a nest that is hard to reach. Nothing is done without your agreement.
If you suspect a second nest, say so when you book. If you find one after the booking, tell the technician when they arrive, or ring ahead. They can then work out whether both can be dealt with in one visit. Each nest is described and agreed separately.
It can help to give each location a simple label when you ring, such as ‘the loft entrance at the front’ and ‘the gap by the garage roof’. That way, both you and the person on the phone know which one you are talking about, and the technician can follow your description on the day without having to ask you to repeat it.
Safety while you wait
The usual rules apply, with more than one place to avoid. Keep people and pets away from every area where wasps are active. Close windows on the sides of the house near the entrances. Do not block, spray or poke anything. Keep the loft hatch closed.
If anyone is stung, wash the area, remove the sting if you can see it and apply a cold pack. If there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash, call 999. Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP and mention the allergy when you book.
If you have a shared drive or neighbouring outbuildings, make sure everyone knows that wasps are active in more than one spot. People in the habit of using a particular door or path may not realise that the risk has moved.
The visit and booking
The technician is fully insured and qualified, and covers Barnet and the surrounding area. Same-day service is offered, so a call early in the day gives the best chance, and evening and weekend visits are available. Domestic and commercial work are both covered.
For a visit, ring 07852 111 437, or put the details into the booking form or the contact page. A submitted form alerts the technician covering your area by SMS and email at any time in the week. After the visit, a quick look round the roofs and outbuildings each April, when wasps start building, can help you catch a new nest while it is small.
A repeat check a week after the visit is worthwhile. Wasps that arrive after the work may be returning foragers, or they may be a sign of another nest. Noting where and when helps the business to tell the difference.
Wasps on your property in Barnet?
Fixed price £70 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.