Wasp Nest Removal for Landlords and Rental Properties in Heck

Let properties with larger gardens, outbuildings and paddocks have more places for nests to hide. Here is how landlords can stay on top of them.

More space, more hiding places

A terraced house with a small yard offers wasps relatively few options. A cottage with a big garden, a barn or a range of outbuildings offers many. Ground nests in a bank, nests in a hedge, nests in a shed or a hay loft are all possibilities.

For a landlord with a rural or semi-rural let, near Heck and the Doncaster and Selby border or elsewhere, the garden and outbuildings are therefore worth as much attention as the house itself.

Distances matter too. Outbuildings can be a long way from the house, and a nest at the far end of a yard or paddock may not be seen by anybody for weeks. Regular walks round the whole plot, from a distance, are the only reliable way to catch one early.

Fields, hedgerows and wooded edges all mean more insects, and wasps are part of that mix. This is normal for the countryside, and it does not mean the property is poorly kept.

Who looks after the outside

In many lets, the tenant looks after the garden. That means the tenant is the one who will be mowing, strimming and trimming, and the one who is most likely to find a nest by accident. It is therefore sensible to tell tenants what to do if they see wasps flying in and out of a hedge or a hole in the ground.

Whether the landlord or the tenant is responsible for arranging the treatment depends on the tenancy agreement. Check it, and we cannot give legal advice on this. What matters in practice is that the tenant knows to stop work and ring someone.

If the let includes land, such as a paddock or an orchard, make clear in the agreement who looks after it. Ground nests in a field margin or a bank are best avoided rather than disturbed, and the person doing the mowing needs to know that.

It is a good idea to agree in advance whether the tenant should tell you or ring the technician directly. Either way works, as long as the tenant knows which to do.

A short note for tenants

A few lines in a welcome pack or a seasonal message can help. They do not need to be long.

• If you see wasps flying to the same spot, stop mowing or trimming nearby.
• Do not pour liquids into a hole in the ground, block it or try to knock down a nest.
• Keep children, pets and visitors away from the area.
• Tell the landlord or agent where the nest is as soon as possible.

A message of this type, sent in April or May, gets the tenant thinking at the right time of year.

Remind tenants that a nest in the ground is easy to step on. A quiet word before the mowing season begins is often enough to prevent an incident.

Checking outbuildings between visits

When you visit for an inspection, look at the outside of sheds, barns, garages and any lean-tos. Look for wasps flying in and out of the roofline, grey papery material around gaps and a hum from the walls. Do not open doors if you see signs of activity.

If an outbuilding is not part of the let, such as a landlord’s store, the same applies. Wasps do not take notice of who owns what, and a nest in a barn can still affect the garden next to it.

Old farm buildings often have gaps in stonework, loose tiles and timber that make perfect homes. If you plan repairs, tell the builder if you have seen wasps, so they can wait until the nest has been treated.

Roof spaces in barns can be difficult to get at. If the nest is high, say so when you book, because it affects planning and, if special access equipment is needed, it can affect the price.

Treatment and access

The Wasp Exterminator treats a nest for a fixed £70 per nest, and an additional nest on the same property is £25 extra. There is no call-out charge and the service runs seven days a week, with same-day visits offered. The price is confirmed over the phone before anyone comes.

On rural properties, nests are sometimes in awkward places, such as high on a gable or in a tall tree. The price might be more where special access equipment is needed, and you will be told beforehand. Nothing is done unless you agree.

Give clear directions to the property, including the name of the house, and mention gates, tracks or livestock the technician needs to know about.

Large properties can also have several nests in one summer. An additional nest at the same property costs £25 extra, so if you find a second one, mention it when you ring and have both treated in the same visit.

Because distances are larger and visits are fewer on rural lets, a missed nest can grow unnoticed for weeks. A tenant who knows what to look for is your best early warning.

Booking and following up

Booking is possible by telephone on 07798 792 774 or through the form on the site. Domestic and commercial premises are both covered, which suits farm lets and mixed-use properties. Technicians are fully insured and qualified.

Afterwards, make a note of where the nest was, so you can check the area again next April. Ask the technician whether the empty nest can be taken down.

A quiet check of the same places at the start of the following season is a simple habit that pays off.

Call or fill in the form with the details to hand, including the name of the property, the nearest village and any landmarks, so the technician can find the right place without delay.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Heck