Advice
How to Tell If You Have a Wasp Nest at Your Property
A wasp nest is often hidden in a loft, wall or shed, so knowing the early signs helps you act calmly before the colony grows.
Read the guide →£90
Wasp nest treatment, fixed price
We confirm the price with you before any work starts. It can depend on where the nest is and how easy it is to reach. Call 01392 590 140 or send an enquiry.
Our technician works carefully and quickly, so the colony dies back and you can use your home or business again. We also give advice on clearing the old nest and reducing the chance of another one. Everything is explained before we start.
Holiday homes left empty
A good number of Salcombe properties are holiday homes that stand empty for long stretches. That is exactly what a queen wants in spring: a quiet loft or void with no disturbance. By the time owners arrive for a summer visit, a nest can already hold a very large colony indeed. Warm, still weather in the sheltered estuary helps colonies grow quickly. Owners are often surprised by how big it has become.
If you look after a second home, a quick walk round the outside in late spring is worthwhile. Watch for wasps entering the same gap under the tiles, at a vent or along the fascia. If you see it, call us before opening the property up, rather than disturbing the nest from inside the house. Closing the gap in autumn, once the nest is inactive, helps for next year.
Waterfront businesses and steep sites
Cafes, pubs and shops along the waterfront put out sweet drinks, ice cream and food waste, which attract wasps as summer goes on. A nest nearby then makes the problem worse, because workers keep coming back to the same spot where they have already found something sweet to eat. That is why the problem tends to peak in the busiest weeks of the season. Tidy bins help.
Salcombe's steep streets and tight plots can make access tricky. Some nests are high up on a gable end or behind a boundary wall. We assess the position first, agree the fixed price, and carry out the treatment from a safe position while you keep customers and staff well away from the area. If the nest is near the quay or a terrace we will agree a time that causes the least upset.
What to do until we arrive
Do not poke, spray or block the nest entrance, as this makes wasps more aggressive. Keep windows near the nest closed, and keep children and pets away. We cover the TQ8 postcode area around Salcombe, and also Dartmouth, Plymouth and Ivybridge, so tell us exactly where the wasps are going in and out and we will plan the visit. Photos taken from a safe distance can help.
Frequently asked questions
Wasps keep appearing in my Salcombe holiday home. Where are they coming from?
Often from a nest in the loft, a wall void or under the roof edge. Look for where the wasps enter outside. If you have seen them indoors, the nest may have an exit near a light fitting or window. Tell us and we will inspect.
Does the wasp season end in autumn?
Most colonies die off in late autumn and the queens find somewhere to hibernate. But a live nest can still be a problem until then, so treatment during the season is the safest approach if the nest is close to where you live or work.
Will you remove the nest itself?
We treat the nest so the colony dies back. Removing it depends on where it is. In lofts and cavities it can often be left, and in accessible spots we can advise on taking it away once it is inactive.