Found a Wasp Nest in Your Loft in Retford? Here's What to Do
Not every colony in a roof space is a wasp nest, and calling the right person first saves time, so this explains how to tell the difference from a safe distance.
Check before you call
A colony in a roof space can be wasps, honeybees, bumblebees or, rarely, something else, and the right response differs for each. We treat wasps. If your insects are bees, the right person is a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation. Retford, a market town in north Nottinghamshire, has beekeepers as well as wasp problems, and a short look can tell you which you have.
You do not need to see inside the loft. All the evidence you need is on the outside, in the insects themselves.
It is easy to confuse the two in a quick glance, since both are yellow and black and both fly around gaps in a building. The difference becomes obvious once you look for a minute from a safe place.
What wasps look like
Wasps are slim, with a narrow waist, smooth bodies and bold, clean yellow and black bands. They are fast, direct fliers and are drawn to sweet drinks, meat and rubbish. Their nest is made of grey, papery material, and the entrance is a small hole.
Wasps seen entering a gap at the eaves or roof edge in a steady stream, particularly with others arriving carrying food or fibre, are probably from a nest.
Wasps also tend to approach rubbish bins, fizzy drinks and meat in late summer, which bees mostly ignore. If the insects at your property are drawn to your picnic, they are more likely to be wasps than bees.
A hover-like, darting insect that visits flowers and has no obvious waist is probably a hoverfly, which is harmless and has no sting. Wasps have a clear narrow waist and a pair of folded wings at rest.
It also helps to notice behaviour at the entrance: wasps tend to come and go quickly and directly, while bees often cluster at the entry and fan their wings.
What bees look like
Honeybees are smaller and plump, golden-brown with a fuzzy look, and tend to work flowers. A swarm or colony in a roof space is often a mass of insects around a single entrance, with a sweet, waxy smell. Bumblebees are large, round and furry, with soft yellow, black or buff bands, and they fly slowly with a heavy hum.
If your insects look like these, do not try to deal with them. Contact a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation, who can advise on what to do. Bees are important pollinators and are best handled by people with the right knowledge.
If you are unsure, do not attempt to move or disturb the colony. A beekeeper will want to see it undisturbed. Tell them how long it has been there, where the entrance is and whether there are children or pets nearby. Some beekeepers handle swarms and colonies in buildings; others do not, so be prepared to ring more than one.
Honeybees in a building can look alarming, but they are usually less defensive than wasps unless disturbed. That is not an invitation to approach them; leave that to those with experience.
The difficult cases
Some insects are hard to tell from a distance.
- Hornets are larger and browner than wasps. We treat wasps only.
- Hoverflies look like wasps but have no sting, and fly in a hovering, darting way.
- A single wasp in the house is not a nest; look for many insects at one entry point.
If you are unsure, take a photograph from a safe distance, or describe the colour, size and behaviour when you ring 0115 937 5117. We will tell you honestly if it sounds like something we do not treat.
Colour matters too. A deep, smooth black and yellow suggests wasps; a duller, brownish look with hair suggests bees. Size can help, but sizes overlap more than people expect, so use behaviour as well as appearance.
If it is a commercial building, remember that a beekeeper and a wasp technician need different kinds of access. Tell whoever you ring about the layout of the roof space.
A good rule of thumb is that wasps are about the sting and the paper nest, while bees are about wax, honey and a sweet smell. If you notice a smell of honey from a ceiling, or wax on the floor below, it points towards bees.
If it is wasps
The price for treating a wasp nest is a fixed £95 per nest, with £35 for an additional nest on the same property and no call-out charge. The price is confirmed before the visit. A same-day visit is possible on some days but can't be promised for every call.
The technician is trained and fully insured, and nothing is done without your agreement. Until the visit, keep the hatch shut, keep children and pets away from the landing, and do not block entry holes or disturb the nest.
Nothing here requires you to be certain. Ring and describe what you have seen: the colour, the size, the sound, the entry point and how many insects there are. Our job is to tell you what we can do, and to point you elsewhere if that is more sensible.
Safety while you work it out
Whichever insect it is, do not go into the loft to find out, and do not poke at the entrance. If someone is stung, wash the area, remove the sting if visible and use a cold pack. Swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheeze, breathing difficulty, dizziness or a widespread rash means 999. Tell us at booking if anyone is allergic.
Whichever insect it turns out to be, close windows near the entry point and keep the loft closed. A trained person with the right equipment should handle the colony. An empty nest, wax or comb left behind after any treatment can attract other pests, so ask for advice on clearing it.
Wasps on your property in Retford?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.