Found a Wasp Nest in Your Loft in Farndon? Here's What to Do
When the nest is in the loft and a family lives below it, the household needs a simple routine, and this sets one out for children, pets and visitors.
A plan for the household
A nest in the loft means the roof space is out of bounds and the rooms below need a bit of care. If the family is at home all day, that affects routines. Farndon, in Nottinghamshire, has plenty of family homes, and the following approach suits most of them.
The idea is to keep wasps and people apart, calmly, until the technician arrives.
Be honest about the time scale. Some households will live with a loft nest for a day or two before the technician arrives, and a calm routine is a good way to get through it. The suggestions below cost nothing and do not involve going near the nest.
Think of it as a short-term arrangement. Most households need the plan for a day or two, and then go back to normal. The point is to keep it simple enough that every adult in the house can follow it without discussion.
Talking to children
Children cope better with a clear rule than with fear. Something like "the loft is closed because wasps live there, and a grown-up is sorting it out" is enough. Make it a rule that nobody opens the hatch, and move toys, games and play tents away from the landing.
Older children can be given a job: watch for wasps indoors and tell an adult, without swatting.
Explain that wasps will sting if they feel threatened, and that the safest thing is to leave them alone. Avoid frightening stories; children do better with plain facts. If a child is stung, wash the area and apply something cold, and call 999 for swelling of the face or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing.
If you have a baby, move the cot to a room away from the loft hatch. If a toddler is at home, keep the stairgate closed so they cannot wander up to the landing.
Pets
- Keep dogs and cats away from the landing and the bedrooms under the loft.
- Do not let a dog bark at the ceiling or jump at wasps.
- Move caged pets such as hamsters and birds to another room.
- Keep food bowls tidy, since sweet and meaty smells draw wasps.
If a pet is stung on the face or mouth, or has trouble breathing, contact a vet immediately.
Dogs are drawn to noise and movement, and a dog sniffing along a landing carpet where a wasp has crawled is likely to be stung on the nose. Keep animals downstairs, and check them over if you hear a yelp.
Visitors and routines
Let people know before they come. A short message such as "there is a wasp nest in the loft, please use the front door" is enough. Delivery drivers and friends will understand.
Keep windows near the roof closed during the day. Avoid drying washing near open windows at the side of the house with the entry gap, and bring outdoor food in.
If you work from home, set up on the ground floor for a day or two. If anybody in the house is on shift work and sleeps in the day, they may prefer a room away from the loft. Nobody needs to move out; a few small changes are enough.
Keep a record of which rooms have had wasps in them, and when. That is useful information to give when you ring.
Keep the loft hatch clear of anything that could fall. Do not stack things beneath it, and make sure the landing is not a play space. If a landing light attracts wasps after dark, use another route for the stairs.
Booking
You can ring 0115 937 5117 or use the booking form on the contact page. Treatment is a fixed £95 per nest, with £35 for an additional nest on the same property and no call-out charge. Same-day service is offered but cannot be promised for every call.
The technician is trained and fully insured, and no work is done without your agreement. If anyone is allergic to stings, tell us at booking.
If the visit is booked for a time when children are home, plan an activity at the other end of the house. A film or a game keeps everyone out of the way while the technician works. The technician will not need access to rooms away from the loft.
Meals matter, because wasps indoors are drawn to sweet and sticky things. Wipe the table, rinse cups and cover drinks, especially fizzy ones left on a windowsill. A wasp in a drink can be swallowed by a child, which is a reason for care.
After the visit
Follow what the technician says. A few stray wasps may appear indoors; open a window and let them leave. Wash any stings, remove the sting if visible and cool it. Swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheeze, breathing difficulty, dizziness or a widespread rash needs 999. Dead wasps and the old nest can be dealt with once the loft is declared safe.
Once the nest has been dealt with, talk to the children about what happened, so that a future wasp is not a source of panic. Check where wasps may have been entering, and fill gaps once you have been told it is fine to do so.
Share the details with whoever looks after your children or pets when you are out, so that they know the loft is out of bounds and know what to do if a wasp appears. A short list on the fridge works well.
Wasps on your property in Farndon?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.