In this week’s property surveying blog, we will be looking into Wasp nest. We will be identifying what attracts them and how spot them and how to know when it’s safe and sound to remove them from your prized property. Here at Stokemont, we see these on a weekly basis through both RICS HomeBuyer Reports and Full Building Surveys.
How to spot a Wasp Nest
Wasp Nest can vary on its appearance, they can tend to be well constructed and appealing to the eye with a smooth cocoon like finish or the nest can mirror a rough finish which more less mirrors an artichoke. Alternatively, the nest could very much look like a roughly spread cement mix.
The appearances tend to vary due there being a variety of species.
The Wasp Nest itself has paper like finish to its design, this is due to the material being constructed from chewed wood from a mixture of timber fencing, logs or garden furniture surfaces. The Wasp then mixes the fine scrapings of wood with their saliva and then breaks down the fibres into a pulp which are then used for constructing the nest.
TIP: A telling sign of Wasp activity in and around your property premises would be in the form of fine shavings and tiny scratches to the surface of any wooded elements or furniture.
What Attracts Wasp Nest?
In short, sheltered areas attract Wasp nest. Wasp will tend to construct nests usually in sheltered areas with relativity easy access to the outside environment, therefore, you can often find wasp nests being present within a number of locations such as:
- Wall cavities
- Roof spaces
- Under eaves
- Bird boxes
- Sheds or Outbuildings
- Garages
- Porches
- Chimney Stacks
In our experiences when carrying out Pre-Purchase Surveys for clients, we have frequently come across Wasp Nest in a variety of sizes within the corners of loft spaces by the eaves.
The list above are the common places that you would tend to locate Wasp Nest, furthermore, it should be noted that in some cases nests could occur in the cavity of the ground if there’s easy access and a clear route to the external environment or Wasp Nest can be found to be hanging from tree branches as this is a form of sheltered area.
It should be advised that if you happen to frequently come across Wasp more than the normal day to day nectar collector, and there happens to be a is a high quantity of Wasps in and around home or gardened area, it is a more than likely that there’s a Wasp nest nearby.
It may not always be safe to do so, but if you did desire to locate the nest, you could vigilantly watch and follow the flight of the Wasp in an around your property in effort to find their base.
This endeavour certainly becomes much easier during the summer months as wasp numbers increase and travel back and forth from the nest much more frequently, however caution should be taken, as nest in summer months could easily contain thousands of Wasps. Therefore, it is important to upbeat as well as cautious in your approach to finding and treating a nest early to reduce the threat of a wasp sting, which can be very painful and are prone to cause an allergic reaction.
So, how to avoid Wasp Nest?
The most common causes of Wasp Nest tends to be down to a poor lack of maintenance. Ensuring all cracks, splits, or potential entry points such are made good such as slipped tiles or rotted away facia’s boards would be of great benefit in avoiding Wasp Nest.
Making sure that any newly installed fixing are adequately installed with no gaps or openings would be of benefit in the prevention of Wasp Nest, furthermore, installing fly screen on doors, windows, air bricks or any potential entry points would also go a long way.
Concentrated actions such as making sure external bins lids are adequately closed with no exposed food scraps being easily obtainable would also be a great measure to keeping Wasp away, as the feeding on the scraps could lead to the Wasp being within close proximity of your home.
Wasp traps can be set, these can be purchased both online and from your local DIY shops, with these in situ, it could be successful in frightening Wasp away after a bad experience.
Nevertheless, if it so happens that the actions above combined aren’t of success, consulting and appointing a pest specialist may be the best course of action for Wasp Nest removal as professionals 95% of time can be the most effect and efficient way eliminate the nest. It would be advised to treat a wasp nest earlier in the year before numbers increase and the wasps become more uncompromising and confident in late Summer.
If you are in the process of purchasing a house and you have not had a surveyor take a comprehensive look into the property and the daunting loft spaces, why not give us a call, one of the member of our team would be more than happy to assist with your potential purchase.
