Wasp nest in the roof/attic

A wasp nest under the roof initially triggers a small moment of shock for many homeowners. Often, ignorance and fear of these animals cause panic, which in most cases is unfounded. Nevertheless, caution is advised, especially when children and allergy sufferers are affected. Wasps are not generally aggressive animals, they only sting to defend themselves. If the attic is only used as storage space, there is no danger. Otherwise, there are a few things that you should definitely pay attention to in order to avoid dangerous situations.

Loft ideal for nest building

Attics are often warm, dry and dark, sheltered from wind, weather and predators such as birds, making them ideal for nest building. Wasps, which increasingly fly towards the roof, but also noticeable buzzing and buzzing around, can be an indication that they have nested under the roof. A nest is usually only noticed when it has already reached a considerable size. In spring it is usually still relatively small and inconspicuous.

By the summer, the colony has grown to several thousand members, depending on the wasp species, and the wasp colony is complete. Now, especially the German and common wasps, are also increasingly pouncing on human food, which is sweet and sticky. Eliminating a nest at this point would be life-threatening. If the area in which the nest is located is only used sporadically, it is certainly advisable not to fight the animals and rather until late autumn or winter. To wait winter, then the old queen dies and the people dissolve.

Wasp species that settle under the roof

The common and German wasps are perceived as particularly annoying, because they like to pounce on food containing sugar. Both build their nests in dark cavities such as abandoned mole and mouse dwellings, but also in roller shutter boxes or in attics. The Saxon wasp also uses the roof beams of uninsulated attics, skylights and the like for nest building. It is one of the lesser known species of wasp and is also known as the 'attic wasp'.

• The life cycle of the common and German wasp lasts from April/May to October
• German wasp nests are gray and not hanging freely
• In extreme cases, they can reach a circumference of up to 200 cm
• They house between 1000 and 10,000 animals
• The nest of the common wasp is beige to light brown and also not hanging freely
• It is inhabited by 500 - 7000 animals
• The Saxon wasp has a shorter life cycle
• It is active from late May to early August
• Their nest is grey, heart-shaped, free-hanging and about the size of a football
• It is inhabited by 100-300 animals

In contrast to the German and common wasp, the Saxon wasp disdains sweet foods. She is very peaceful and only defends her nest in the immediate nest area.

Attics mostly difficult terrain

Attics are often difficult to access because it is not uncommon for everyday objects, furniture and much more to be stored here. In addition, the nests are usually at heights that cannot be reached without a ladder or other aids. Accordingly, it is difficult to reach the nests in order to get rid of them or to be able to drive the animals away with appropriate means. If you are now thinking of getting rid of the nest, you should ensure free access, eliminate tripping hazards and thus rule out additional sources of danger.

Have a professional remove the wasp nest

If the wasp nest poses a specific threat to the residents or severely restricts the quality of life of the residents of the house, there is usually no way around removing it. This is especially the case when small children or allergy sufferers are regularly in the vicinity of the nest. An inhabited nest on the roof window, under the roof tiles or in hidden places under the roof should always be removed by a specialist. This can cost between 50 and 150 euros. Only these people have the necessary knowledge and the right equipment, including protective clothing, to remove the wasp nest safely and safely.

The professional removes the nest completely and relocates it to another location. However, relocation requires approval and is only possible if a valid reason is presented. After the expert has removed the nest, he removes all traces. This is necessary because there is a high probability that the new queens will settle near the old nest again, as they orientate themselves by its scent. The old nest is no longer used, it remains empty. You can find out who is qualified to remove wasp nests from the responsible municipal or city administration. As a rule, these are pest controllers, beekeepers and sometimes also the local fire brigade or the nature conservation authority.

First aid up to removal by a professional

Measures must be taken before the professional arrives, especially if individual bees have strayed into inhabited areas of the house. Until then, windows and doors should be kept closed and the wasps should not be unnecessarily agitated. Any vibration of the nest and its immediate surroundings should be avoided at all costs. Otherwise, the wasps might perceive it as a threat and respond with aggression.

You can also try to keep the animals away using dried lavender or basil. Sometimes there is also talk of burning coffee as a deterrent. For fire safety reasons, this is in the house or in the attic, however, not recommended. Cloths soaked in salmiak, which are distributed in the affected area, are said to be very effective. However, ammonium chloride is also perceived as very unpleasant by the human nose. Lemons or oranges studded with cloves are also said to have a certain effect. Or you try to keep the animals away from the nest or drive them away with scented oils such as tea tree and clove oil or citronella.

Eliminate wasp nests preferably in winter

If there is no immediate danger from the wasp nest, it is advisable to wait until winter to remove it. The old queen of the wasp colony dies in autumn. Only some of the workers are still looking for food until the winter, when they eventually die off as well. Only the fertilized young queens survive the winter and look for a frost-proof shelter, where they fall into a kind of hibernation. Now that the nest is uninhabited and will not be used as a dwelling again, it is the easiest way to get rid of it. After it has been completely eliminated, the nesting area must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid reintroduction to that area.

What not to do

As long as a nest is inhabited, you should neither remove nor destroy it yourself. On the one hand, there are severe fines, since the animals are under nature protection and, on the other hand, it is very dangerous. What else to consider:

• Never provoke the wasps
• Avoid frantic movements near the nest
• Refrain from blowing on the wasp nest or wasps buzzing around
• Human breath irritates the animals and puts them on alert
• Even a single wasp that feels threatened is enough
• Fire and smoke unsuitable for controlling wasps
• Both would make them aggressive and do exactly the opposite
• If possible, do without commercial wasp sprays and so-called electric vaporizers
• According to the Federal Environment Agency, they are by no means harmless
• Many of them contain neurotoxins that can harm humans and pets
• Conventional construction foam or petrol is also not recommended
• Both can cause lasting damage to the building fabric of the house

Killing wasps, last resort

Killing wasps is strictly forbidden. Nevertheless, it can be justified in exceptional cases. This is the case, for example, when they pose a danger to people, such as allergy sufferers, for whom even a single sting can be life-threatening. Even if the nest is in an inaccessible place and relocation is not possible, the professional can humanely kill the animals. Appropriate approval must be obtained for this, however.

Avoid wasp infestations in the future

In order to prevent wasps from choosing the attic to build their nests in the future, small gaps in the roof structure, e.g. B. under the roof tiles or on cable ducts. Cavities that are preferably used for nest building should also be sealed. Windows can be equipped with fly screens so that they can be left open without any problems. At best, inaccessible areas in particular should be checked regularly for possible nest-building activity, in order to be able to take action at the first sign.

Wasps need appropriate building materials to build their nests. To do this, they like to use wooden paneling and cladding. If these woods are regularly treated with environmentally friendly paints and varnishes, the building material can be removed from them. In addition to wood, they may also use insulating materials or similar to nest under the roof.

Conclusion

Wasps are sometimes scary but also worth protecting. They are very useful animals, naturally controlling unwelcome pests, scavenging and helping pollinate countless flowering plants. Unfortunately, they also have a reputation for being aggressive. But that's only true to a limited extent, because they only react aggressively when there is danger or threat. They appear particularly threatening when they make their nests in human dwellings, e.g. B. build under the roof. However, if you follow a few rules of conduct and are patient, you can live with these animals, at least for a short time. And if the removal of a nest is unavoidable, it should always be done by a specialist to rule out any danger.

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