Wasps in rented flat. Can I ask landlord to pay for exterminator?

Dts91

Hi, I have a sudden issue with wasps in my flat. So far today there have been 11 wasps appear in the kitchen, and it is only lunchtime.

I think there is a nest somewhere in the building below me (I'm 1st floor), or maybe under the floorboards, and they are getting into the kitchen through a hole in the floor.

The hole was there before I moved in and was not pointed out to me upon viewing (the fridge was standing over it so I wouldnt have noticed it alone). Upon discovering it I spoke to the landlord and was told they were aware of it and were trying to get it fixed. I've been in the flat 2.5 months now.

I have asked the landlord about getting an exterminator or someone out to look at it and am waiting to hear back. In the meantime I have tried to cover it up as best I can however I cant use any insecticides as I have cats. I am worried the wasps will find the space in the hole a good place to stay and will start a new nest there.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows who is responsible for things like pest control? I dont remember seeing it covered in my contract. If the problem continues and my landlord hasn't got back to me within the next few days can I go ahead and get someone out anyway? I'm in Scotland, if that makes a difference.

I've never had to deal with pests in any of the previous flats I've rented so I'm keen to get as much advise as possible. Both on the money side and just generally. Any tips to keep them out would be hugely appreciated. 

Thanks very much!

user1977

Generally, I would regard wasps as being for the tenants to sort out. Wasps aren't likely to start building a new nest at this time of year. But it sounds like you haven't even identified where the nest is - if it's in somebody else's flat then it's them who needs to deal with it, if it's in a common area then it's whoever is looking after those (if anyone).

AdrianC

It's very, very late in the year for wasps. The nest has almost certainly been there all year, and they're just trying to find a last bit of warmth in preference to dying. ESPECIALLY in Scotland!

Wasps do not return to their nest - they build a new one every year.

This is an absolutely short-term self-limiting problem.

daveyjp

Our rugby club has a wasps nest behind one of the high level bulk head lights and no doubt in the cavity.

There were some complaints and demands to get rid, but earlier this week no sign.  It is warm today and there may be a few more about, but they will be looking to hibernate and will be gone once the temperature cools.

onylon

I would get the hole covered up. A bit of cardboard and some gaffer tape would do as a temporary measure.

luvchocolate

I live in housing association flat and a neighbour was told it's her responsibility 

Mojisola

onylon said:

I would get the hole covered up. A bit of cardboard and some gaffer tape would do as a temporary measure.

Wasps could chew through cardboard so something stronger would be better.

robatwork

I wouldn't see the wasps as the kind of issue that the landlord should sort out. But the hole - yes. So I'd keep on to the LL to fix the hole asap, but deal with the wasps yourself.

As others have said, wasps tend to disappear and get very docile in autumn so this problem will sort itself out soon anyway.

canaldumidi

If there IS a wasps nest, by tis time of year it will be dead. And wasps don't return to old nests so there is nothing for an exterminator to do. They might come and charge you toremove the old,empty nest (easy money!), but as you don't know where it is even that is moort!

The few wasps around will either be young queens looking for somewhere to hibernate, or worker on their last legs (or wings...). Either way they'll soon be gone.

lookstraightahead

Please don't attempt to deal with the wasps yourself.

martindow

It is very much the end of the season and wasps do not reuse nests, so this problem is not going to last.  This is the time of year when queens are looking for places to hibernate so maybe that is what you are seeing.  Queens are a fair bit larger than normal wasps.  Worker bees do not survive over winter.

After hibernating in the spring the queens fly off and start new nests.