Issues on a survey

nb1989

Hi

We've just had a survey done on a property we want to purchase. It has come back that vermin droppings were found in the roof space as well as remnants of and dead wasp nest. There were no mice or rats found at the time of the survey but they've been there at some point. 

Has anyone else had this and still gone through with the purchase? I'm concerned if we buy it they'll come back and it could turn into a big issue. 

Thanks

macman

It's utterly trivial. Most houses in the UK have some evidence of past infestation. Yes, they could come back, if so you deal with it at the time.

lincroft1710

Vermin infestation, should it occur, is fairly easily and reasonably cheaply dealt with. Many houses will have mice or rats at some time.

princeofpounds

Yes they could come back. No, it may not be a big issue. A lot of houses will have things like this in the attic!

Wasp nests aren't much of a bother. They are indicative of a gap in the roof, but it may not be a gap that leaks water. The chief annoyance is if the nest starts to act as a wick for exterior dampness to come through. They can be broken up and removed.

Rodents are another issue. The droppings could be really historic - you can tell if they are fresh at least. But it's indicative that rodents have found their way in, and they may do again in future. It's hard to truly rodent-proof a space - so many houses have them in the walls but never know - but it can be done to some degree. You'll hear them scuttling at night if they do come back. Poison usually solves minor infestations quite quickly, but it's a pain and the droppings in the insulation aren't pleasant if you need to work in the space. It's not something that would put be off a property that was otherwise great, but having had them in an old property, it wouldn't endear me to the place if I'm honest.

davidmcn

I once had a survey which mentioned an old wasp nest in the attic. Lived there for eight years and the wasps never came back.

nb1989

Thanks for the replies all. The vermin thing is bothering me the most if I'm honest. I have a young child and I worry from a health and safety point of view - germs, etc. If it is easy / cheap to kill them that is great. But I'm looking at prevention. Or at least preventing an 'infestation'.

Does anyone have any idea of costs?

SameOldRoundabout

It’s fairly simple to stop rodents if you can block up accesses. A mouse can squeeze through a gap the size of a biro though so it’s important to know if you’re dealing with rats or mice. Humane traps are cheap, plug in deterrents are cheap, actual pest control may be a couple of hundred quid. But a cat or two. 

Our house had a huge infestation years ago (before we bought it) but they haven’t returned yet and probably won’t with 4 cats in the property. We do have a pair of nesting starlings in the attic though who we can’t get to, more mild annoyance than pest though! It’s quite funny seeing a row of cats sitting under the roof beams in my bedroom just staring up at it, dinner is in there but they can’t get it haha 

princeofpounds

A good retail bait box cost £10. You'll probably need two or three. Cost isn't a big problem.

It's the preventing ingress thing that's hard. As SameOld suggests, mice can squeeze through small places. There are a lot of small places around the roof/wall interface in your typical roof. It's also a very narrow, constricted space to get into and fix up. 

greatcrested

Block up the gaps (but leave ventilation!) and put traps out.

Sorted.

(Oh and wasps never re-use nests though rhey might return and build a new one. This works though:

https://www.diy.com/departments/diall-powder-wasp-control-200g/174163_BQ.prd

jbainbridge

If that's the only thing that concerns you on the survey ... you've nothing to worry about!!

Davesnave

jbainbridge said:

If that's the only thing that concerns you on the survey ... you've nothing to worry about!!

Or they haven't found what should really be worrying the pants off them!

OP we do our own surveys and found mouse traps, droppings and dead mice in the attic of this property when we checked it out. It didn't put us off because we really liked the prospect of owning the property. If a few mice and an old wasp nest might put you off, are you really sure you want this house?

Wasps don't use the same nest twice and mice go where they find food, particularly if people are messy.There have been no live mice up there since we moved in 11 years ago. There's nothing for them.

Is the house detached, semi detached, or terraced?