Wasp's nest in the chimney

[DiddlyQuaQua]

Should I leave the wasp's nest which is very active in my chimney alone, or I should I take steps to remove it? I can hear the nest in the room I'm typing in!
The chimney is blocked top and bottom and the wasps enter/exit via spaces in the roof tiles. Will they cause damage to the roof or should I leave it knowing they will die off over winter? Will they return to the same nest next year? Also as the nest is inaccessible without opening the brickwork on the chimney is the best method of removal, fumigation? Many thanks.

[puddicat]

no you need advice from your council!!!

[Prudentia]

we had a wasps nest in our cavity wall, one afternoon we found the study infested with thousands of wasps, we had to tape up the door to stop them getting into the rest of the house, don't delay get the pest control in, if they work their way through the mortar joints which they can easily do you could be in deep trouble

[Ethel]

The queen leaves the nest in the autumn and the colony dies.

The nest is never reused.

So you may be safe to leave well alone, and let nature take its course

[Prudentia]

sorry, our nest was active for three years

[Ethel]

That would be hornets, not wasps. A wasps nest is never reused.

[Sasperilla]

Don't know. I had 3 wasps nests removed from my loft last October. By then all the wasps had died off. I seem to remember that they don't return to the same nest and I have not had any more nests appear this summer, so reckon you are OK just to leave it.

[Prudentia]

a wasps nest in a domestic situation can never be considered safe, they are easily angered often by innocent childrens activity and in cases like myself who would certainly die from anaphalyctic shock if stung, leaving things to be is irresponsible and thoughtless beyond belief

[Prudentia]

ethel, sorry tell that to the health inspector, absolutely no chance

[Ethel]

This council advises leaving well alone unless they pose a danger:

http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/faq/faq.htm?mode=2 0&pk_faq=209

It's up to you to assess whether or not they can get in to the house. I had a very large wasp nest in my loft space but no wasps in my living areas at all. The nest will die off early October, maybe before that as a ground frosts are forecast already.

[gen2]

I think there may be some confusion here. The wasp's old NEST is NOT reused. Wasps may return to the same space / cavity several years in a row but each year they will build a NEW NEST.

[Ethel]

That is very true, and applies whether the old nest is destroyed or left.

[vivandorron]

Ethel's commernts and advice is 100% correct.

I had a wasps nest inside of my dormer window's hanging roof tiles and the local authority''s chappie who came to deal with it told me exactly what Ethel has said.

Best wishes....Ron

[DiddlyQuaQua]

Thank you for your answers and experiences.
Although quite loud at the moment, having read a bit more, I think I shall wait for the cold of October to see them off. If there is any sign of the chimney being occupied next year, the council will be contacted swiftly.
many thanks