Found a Wasp Nest in Your Loft in Watford? Here's What to Do
Few people know what to expect when a technician comes to treat a loft nest. This is a step-by-step account of the visit, from the doorstep to the all-clear.
Before the technician comes
Most of the work that makes a loft visit smooth happens before anyone arrives. When you ring, you are asked about the property, the location of the hatch and how wasps are getting in and out. The price is confirmed on the phone: a fixed £70 per nest, £30 extra for any additional nest on the same property, and no call-out charge.
If the access is difficult, for instance a very small hatch, a high ceiling on a landing or a loft reached only through a cupboard, tell the person on the call. Special access equipment might be needed, which is the one thing that might make the price higher. Nothing is done without your agreement, so there is no pressure on the day.
It is also worth working out who will be home. The person who agrees the price needs to be reachable, and someone needs to let the technician in and show them where the hatch is. If that is not you, make sure whoever will be there has the details of the booking and a number to ring if there is a problem.
A short note of the key facts, kept near the front door, saves a lot of repetition: the address, the position of the hatch, where wasps have been seen and any allergy in the household.
What to prepare at home
Your job is to make the route to the hatch simple and to keep the household out of the way.
- Clear the landing or room below the hatch so a ladder can stand there.
- Move rugs, plants and ornaments that could be knocked.
- Leave the hatch closed, and tell the family not to touch it.
- Shut pets in a room downstairs, away from the stairs.
- Find the light switch for the loft and any torch you keep, in case the technician asks.
If you have a cleaner or a visitor expected that day, let them know that the upstairs is out of bounds.
If your loft has a fixed ladder, do not fiddle with it. If it is a fold-down type that has been stiff for years, leave it. The technician will use their own equipment where needed, and will tell you if they need anything moved.
On arrival
The technician will normally speak to you first, confirm the address and look at what you have noted about the wasps. They may ask you to point out where wasps have been seen outside, and to describe what you heard and saw indoors.
They are fully insured and qualified, and will explain what they plan to do in broad terms. You are welcome to ask questions, including whether the empty nest can be taken down afterwards. That depends on where it is and how easily it can be reached, and it is best asked at this stage.
In the loft
The treatment itself is carried out by the technician alone. You are not needed in the loft and you should stay downstairs, ideally in a room away from the hatch, with the door shut. The nest is treated where it is found, and the technician may also work from the outside of the building if that is the better route.
Loft access can be awkward. There may be limited headroom, a boarded area that stops short of the roof edge, or insulation to cross carefully. These things affect how long the job takes, which is why you should avoid asking for a time. A careful job is better than a quick one.
Keep your phone nearby so the technician can reach you, and avoid calling out to ask how it is going.
A few other things are good to know. Lofts can be hot in summer, so the technician may need to work in short stints. Lighting is often poor, and the roof space may have little room to move around. Items stored up there, including boxes and old furniture, may need to be moved before the nest can be reached, and the technician will say if that is the case.
If the nest is not in the loft after all, the technician will tell you what they found. Sometimes the wasps are using the loft as a route to a nest in the wall or cavity, and the plan changes accordingly. The price you have been given is for a standard nest in a reachable place, and any change would be discussed with you before work continues.
After the work
When the technician comes down, they will tell you what has been done and what to expect. Ask how long to keep the landing clear, and whether you are likely to see wasps for a time. If any dead wasps are on the floor around the hatch, they may mention it. Wear gloves to clear them.
The technician will not be able to promise that no wasp will ever be seen again, because a nest is built each spring in whichever sheltered gap a queen finds. They can tell you what they noticed about the roof edge, however.
It is also worth asking how to tell if the job has worked. In the hours that follow, you may see a few wasps near the old entrance, and over the next few days there should be less and less activity. If it picks up again, ring and explain.
Booking
Same-day service is offered, so a call early in the day gives the best chance of a slot. Evening and weekend visits are available, and both homes and businesses are covered. If anyone in the household has an allergy to stings, say so when you book, so the booking can be prioritised.
The quickest route is 07852 111 437, with the booking form and contact page as alternatives. The technician for your area is alerted by SMS and email, seven days a week.
Wasps on your property in Watford?
Fixed price £70 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.