Where Barking and Dagenham's Wasps Nest
Eaves and loft hatches on the estate's terraces
The Becontree estate's houses were built with roof voids that are easy for a wasp queen to reach through a loose tile or a gap at the eaves in spring. Once established, the nest grows through the summer largely out of sight, and it's usually the noise of wasps repeatedly using one small gap that gives it away long before the nest itself is seen.
Sheds and fence lines in Rush Green's gardens
Rush Green's quieter streets have deeper gardens than the estate itself, and sheds, fence posts and the odd log pile give wasps a dry, undisturbed cavity to build in. These garden nests tend to be noticed later in the season, once activity around a shed door or a fence panel becomes hard to ignore.
Signs to Look For
- A grey, papery nest the size of a football or larger, usually by late summer
- Wasps repeatedly entering and leaving one spot — a loft vent, eave or air brick
- A low buzzing or rustling sound from inside a wall, loft or shed
- More wasps than usual around bins, fruit trees or open windows
Dealing With a Wasp Nest Safely
Leave the nest alone once you've spotted it — we'll explain the treatment before anything is booked so you know what to expect.
