Two Ways a Southwark Wasp Nest Gets Started
Loft voids above Camberwell and Walworth's terraces
The Victorian terrace lofts across Camberwell and Walworth stay warm, dry and undisturbed for most of the year, which suits a young queen looking to start in spring. A nest the size of a golf ball in April can fill a real part of the loft by late summer, and it's almost always the noise that gets noticed first, long before anyone spots the entrance.
Shared gardens behind Peckham's flat conversions
Once a Peckham terrace has been split into flats, the garden behind it tends to get less attention than a single household's would — sheds, overgrown corners and compost bins all left largely alone. That's exactly the kind of ground-level spot wasps use, and activity there often isn't noticed until it's building up around a bin store.
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
Before Treatment Arrives
Keep clear of the nest and don't try to block it yourself once it's spotted — treating it properly is quicker than dealing with a nest that's already been disturbed.
