Found a Wasp Nest in Your Loft in Mansfield? Here's What to Do
Once a loft nest has been treated, there is still a job to do in the roof space, and this explains the clear-up in a calm, safe order.
The nest is treated, now there is a mess
Treating a nest solves the problem of the living colony, but it leaves a physical mess behind. There will be dead wasps on the loft floor and probably on the landing and windowsills, and the paper shell of the nest will still be in place unless it has been taken down. Many people are unsure whether it is safe to go back up, and whether the clear-up is their job.
Mansfield, a Nottinghamshire town, has many households asking the same thing after a visit. This article takes the clear-up step by step.
If you have not yet booked treatment, the first step is to ring 0115 937 5117. The cost is a fixed £95 per nest, with £35 for an additional nest on the same property, and there is no call-out charge.
If you would rather not do the clear-up, you do not have to. Many people leave the loft closed for a few weeks, then ask a friend or a tradesperson to clear it. There is no deadline.
Wait for the all-clear
Do not rush up. Before you enter the loft, ask the technician when it is sensible to do so. Wasps returning from foraging can still be around, and a few may be alive in the roof space for a while. A short wait with the hatch closed is cheap insurance.
When you are told it is fine, choose a calm, bright moment, not at the end of a tiring day when you are in a hurry. Open the hatch slowly and listen before you climb.
If any wasps are still moving about up there when you open the hatch, close it again and wait. A slow, careful approach is always better than a rushed one, and nothing in a loft is so urgent that it cannot wait another day. Mention anything you notice to the technician; they may be able to tell you what is normal.
What to wear and bring
- Long sleeves, trousers and closed shoes, and gloves.
- A face mask or similar covering, since old paper and insulation can irritate the throat.
- A torch, rather than relying on the loft light.
- A bin bag and a hand brush and pan or a vacuum cleaner with a hose.
- Someone downstairs who knows you are up there.
Keep children and pets out of the way while you are working.
Boots or trainers are better than slippers, because loft floors are uneven and covered with debris. If the loft is boarded in parts only, step on the joists or boards and nowhere else; ceilings give way. Take your time and keep three points of contact on the ladder.
Clearing the dead wasps
Sweep or vacuum dead wasps into a bag, tie it and put it in the outside bin. Be careful with any that look still, as a wasp that is dying can still sting. Use a brush rather than bare hands, and do not squeeze the bag.
Check around the hatch and on the landing for wasps that fell through. Wipe windowsills in the rooms below. A damp cloth is better than a dry sweep for fine fragments.
A wasp that appears dead may only be stunned or dying, and can still sting for a while. This is why the brush and the bag are better than fingers. If you find a wasp on a window or carpet, cover it with a glass and slide a card underneath, then take it outside.
Do not forget the rooms underneath. Dead wasps often collect on the window sill nearest the loft, and in the corners of the landing carpet.
The nest itself
The empty paper nest is light and brittle. If the technician has taken it down, there is nothing to do. If it is still in place, ask at booking whether it can be removed, or take advice before touching it. Some people leave it where it is, since an old nest does no harm and wasps do not reuse it. If you do remove it, wear gloves and a mask, double bag it and dispose of it with household waste.
Look for the entry point and take note of it. A gap in the roof edge that let wasps in is a gap that can let in other things, and it is worth repairing.
You may find that the nest has a layered, papery look, a little like grey cardboard folded over itself. It crumbles easily and the pieces can scatter if you handle it roughly. Wear the mask, work gently and stop if you feel any irritation.
Checking for damage and preventing a repeat
Look at the area around the nest for stains, damp or damaged insulation. If something looks wrong, ask a builder or roofer to look rather than guessing. If insulation is soiled, you may want to replace it.
In spring, check the roof edges and eaves for new gaps. A queen starts looking for a nest site from late April depending on how mild it is, and a sealed roof is the best defence. If you are unsure, ask the technician at the visit what they noticed.
If the loft has been used for storage, take a moment to look at the boxes closest to the nest. Fibres and wasp debris can cling to cardboard and fabric. Wipe or shake items outdoors rather than carrying them through the house, and wash anything washable.
A second visit to the loft in a few weeks, to see that all is quiet, is a sensible habit and costs nothing.
Wasps on your property in Mansfield?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.