House roofs offer wasps ideal conditions for building their nests. If a colony has settled in the roof truss area, it is not only the proximity of the dangerous animals that is problematic. The building structure can also be damaged over the course of the season.

Wasps can cause damage under the roof, but they don't have to

Only certain wasp species are relevant for the roof area

Wasps that build their nests in close proximity to people and preferably in dark, protected cavities are usually only German and common wasps and hornets. All three species belong to the subfamily of real wasps. Above all, the Germans and the common wasps are also the ones who don't shy away from our outdoor dining tables and can be quite annoying.

If one of these species has discovered a niche in the roof truss for nest building, it is doubly problematic. A state can grow to up to 7,000 animals - and especially in masses, the stinging insects can become quite uncomfortable, and for those allergic to insect venom and children, they can even be deadly. For this reason alone, nest removal by a specialist should be considered.

Possible damage to the building structure

In addition, the wasps do damage to the building structure when building their nest. The following materials are particularly at risk:

  • wooden beams
  • insulation material

Wasps are busy builders and have very powerful biting tools. On the one hand, they use these to gnaw away building material for their honeycomb constructions and, on the other hand, they gain access to previously denied cavities. You can work your way through wood and insulating material without any problems. However, plaster, concrete and stone are too hard for them.

The damage is mainly caused by the removal of the wooden beams and insulation under the roof. However, there is no reason to fear that a roof truss will be seriously unstable and its load-bearing function impaired. The mass of ablations is far too small for that. It can be problematic if the insulation is bitten through and the resulting cold bridges are created.

Appropriate measures

Old houses in particular are particularly susceptible to wasp colonization under the roof. On the one hand, there is a lot of wood here that tends to be rotten, making it easier for wasps to remove it. On the other hand, cracks in the plaster and hand-made, incompletely staggered roof tiles give them easy access to attics.

In the case of old houses in particular, it is therefore advisable to take preventive measures to regularly maintain the walls and the roof and to close any weak points in good time before spring.

An existing wasp nest should be relocated by a specialist if possible. Closing access points is not only a punishable offense because of the species protection of the wasps, but may also increase the damage because the animals then gnaw their way free.

In autumn, when the nest is deserted, you should clean the area thoroughly with vinegar water and repair damaged areas. This also prevents a queen from founding her state here the following year.

Category:

Animals in the garden