There Are Wasps in My Loft! What Should I Do?

Your home is your castle, which is why if you think there is a wasp nest in your loft then you may want to take swift action. It can be unsettling to think of these insects inside your home, especially if they become aggressive and you have any pets or young children.

But never fear, this month at Pest Defence, we’re going to talk you through what to look out for, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them, making this your essential guide on what to do if you find a wasp nest in your loft at home.

What are the signs of wasps in my loft?

There are some obvious signs that you have wasps in your loft and some less obvious signs. 

• Common signs – Noticing the odd wasp inside your house in summer isn’t cause for alarm, but finding increased numbers of them on the upper level of your home or flying around inside the loft when you go up there, is a definite sign.
  
• Not-so-common signs – Less obvious signs might be a distant buzzing sound or droning that you can’t quite place if you aren’t able to see the wasps inside your home and if you don’t frequently access the loft. You can read more about what to look for in our previous piece on this topic.

The key thing is to follow any noises – or the actual wasps themselves – to try and determine where they are exactly. Once you think you’ve found the nest, you can move on to the next section.

What does the nest look like?

So you think you’ve found a wasp nest in the loft, but you’re not actually sure because you’ve never really seen one before — plus, it can be quite dark in some loft and attic spaces, leaving you unsure what you’re looking at.

Here are a few characteristics of wasp nests to keep an eye out for:

• Colour: often grey or murky beige
• Shape: often rounded or balloon-like
• Size: can range from the size of a golf ball up to a football, sometimes larger if left long enough

Sometimes, it may be hard to find the wasp nest if it has been created in an inaccessible part of your loft space. So just because you can’t see it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there — wasps don’t want to be disturbed so will attempt to nest somewhere out of the way in a corner.

Need help with a wasp nest in your home? Get in touch with our expert team today.

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Why do wasps create nests in lofts?

There are several reasons wasps are known to choose loft spaces, one of which we’ve already touched upon, but here are the common things wasps seek when wanting to create a nest:

• Somewhere out of the way, where they’re unlikely to be disturbed
• Somewhere that shields them from other insects and animals
• Somewhere that is dry and warm
• Somewhere that is close to food sources, making it easy for scouts to locate food and limit journeys 
• Somewhere close to wood materials which can contribute to nest building

How to prevent wasps in the loft

Because they’re so small, it can be quite tricky to prevent wasps from deciding to create a nest in your loft. The best action you can take is to regularly assess your loft both internally and externally, ensuring no gaps or cracks are appearing that would allow them to easily enter and exit.

Additionally, make sure that there are no food scraps or waste to tempt them close to your property in the first place. Keeping your outside bins clean with the lids closed will reduce the likelihood of them choosing your loft due to the proximity to a food source.

You can also add traps into your loft, but this may not be practical if you use the space. You’re also unlikely to need these if you follow the two tips above. 

How to get rid of wasp nest in the loft

If you’ve found a wasp nest in your loft, you may be wondering what you’re supposed to do next. Our first tip is to not agitate the wasps by trying to tackle the nest yourself, this can result in multiple stings, which is especially dangerous if you have an allergy.

The best way to get rid of a wasp nest in your loft is to call in the experts and have it removed professionally. With the right tools and protective equipment, a professional pest control company can make sure that wasps are eliminated from your loft, with access to the nest removed to minimise the risk of re-infestation.

Who to call for wasp nest removal

This one is easy. Call Pest Defence if you need professional wasp nest removal services that provide results you can count on. Our dedicated team helps homeowners and businesses across London and Essex – including in and around Colchester, Chelmsford and Brentwood – keeping them wasp-free. Enjoy your home this spring and summer with safe and swift action from our wasp exterminators.

Call us now if you think you have a wasp nest in your loft or if you’ve found a wasp nest and need it removed to protect your family.