Wasp Nests Under Roof Tiles – A Common Problem for Henlow Homes
Not every insect flying around the eaves is a wasp. Here is how to tell wasps from bees at roof level, and what to do in each case.
Check what you are dealing with first
When insects start gathering around a roof, the first instinct is to assume they are wasps. Often they are, but honeybees and bumblebees also use gaps in buildings, and the correct response is quite different. Treating the wrong insect is a waste of time, and it can be a real loss to the bee population.
Wasp Exterminator Hertfordshire deals with wasps only. If what you have is a colony of honeybees or bumblebees, the right step is to contact a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation, who will know whether the colony can be moved. Hornets and other pests are not covered either.
So the question to settle before you pick up the phone is simple: wasp or bee? You can usually answer it from the ground, with a bit of patience and without going anywhere near the roof.
It is an easy mistake to make. A wasp can look like a honeybee from across a garden, and a honeybee can look like a wasp to someone who is nervous of stings. Taking a minute to look properly saves a wasted booking, and it makes sure bees in difficulty get the right kind of help.
Looking at the insects themselves
Study them from a distance, ideally on a sunny day when activity is high. A pair of binoculars or the zoom on a phone camera can help you see detail without moving closer.
- Wasps have smooth, slim bodies with bold black and yellow bands and a narrow waist. They look glossy and almost hairless.
- Honeybees are more golden brown and slightly furry, with a rounder body and softer colouring.
- Bumblebees are large, round and very furry, often with broad bands of yellow, orange or white.
Behaviour is a clue too. Wasps move quickly and directly, in and out of an opening in a steady line. Bees look more laden and a little slower, and honeybees are often seen with pollen on their legs.
If you honestly cannot tell, describe what you can see when you ring. That is better than guessing.
Size alone is not enough, since queens and workers of each type differ. Look at the whole picture: body shape, colour, how hairy the insect appears and whether it is carrying anything. Taking two or three photos from a distance gives you something to compare later against pictures online.
Looking at where and how they nest
The way a colony sits can help to identify it. A nest of wasps behind a roof tile or soffit is hidden, with only a small gap showing and a steady stream of insects using it. Honeybees are different. A swarm can hang in a visible cluster on a branch or wall, and when a colony is established in a cavity, you may see wax or a fine smell of honey, though not always.
Bumblebees favour small holes and tend to nest in much smaller groups, so only a modest number of insects use the entrance at any time. A busy, constant stream of thin, glossy insects is a better match for a wasp nest.
Timing matters as well. A wasp colony grows steadily from early April and peaks in August, when as many as 2,000 may live in a single nest. A sudden cloud of insects that appears in a day and settles in a ball is more likely a bee swarm than a wasp nest.
Smell and sound are poor guides. A large colony of any insect makes a hum inside a cavity, and few people can reliably tell the difference through a wall or a ceiling. If you cannot see the insects, rely on watching the entrance rather than listening to the walls.
Also take note of whether insects are collecting material or carrying food. Wasps are often seen carrying chewed wood fibre or small pieces of prey, while bees are seen with pollen on their legs.
What to do in each case
If the insects are wasps, keep your distance, note the position of the entrance and arrange treatment. Do not block the gap, spray or try to climb to it. A disturbed wasp nest can swarm and sting.
If they are bees, keep calm and leave them alone. Bees are not usually aggressive unless provoked, and many beekeepers will help with swarms or an established colony. Keep children and pets away, and do not try to move the insects yourself.
Either way, avoid spraying anything towards the roofline. It is dangerous at height and counterproductive, and in the case of bees it is also harmful to an important pollinator.
If anyone is stung, wash the area, remove the sting if you can see it and use a cold pack. Call 999 if there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash. Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP.
One more point on safety: whichever insect it turns out to be, the entrance is best left unblocked. Sealing a gap with insects inside it traps them, and trapped insects of any kind will look for another way out, which may be into the house.
Booking for wasps
If you are confident they are wasps, the treatment is a fixed £70 per nest, with £30 for any additional nest on the same property and no call-out charge. The price is confirmed on the phone before a technician visits, and you agree to it before any work starts. If the nest needs special access equipment, the price might be more, and you will be told first.
Use the online booking form or the contact page, or ring 07852 111 437. The technician for your area is alerted by SMS and email, seven days a week, with same-day, evening and weekend visits available for homes and businesses. Mention any sting allergy so the booking can be prioritised.
If you are not sure whether they are wasps, say what you have seen, including colour, size and behaviour. In Henlow and the surrounding villages, as elsewhere, a clear description is the best way to avoid an unnecessary visit.
Wasps on your property in Henlow?
Fixed price £70 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.