Wasp Nest Under a Roof Overhang — What to Do?
By Wespenprofis.ch · Reviewed by:Fachbewilligung Schädlingsbekämpfung VFB-S · Updated: 3 July 2026
At a glance
Under a roof overhang, the nest usually hangs in plain sight beneath the roof edge or from the eaves. Do not climb a ladder to remove it yourself — the height and the closeness to the colony make this dangerous. Keep your distance, avoid the area and call in a professional.
Why this is tricky
Under a roof overhang or beneath the eaves, a wasp nest often hangs in plain sight and is easy for the wasps to reach — but hard for people to get to. The nest body grows downwards in a spherical shape and can reach the size of a football by late summer. Anyone approaching on a ladder ends up at eye level with the entrance hole and risks several stings at once the moment the colony is disturbed. The height makes an uncontrolled retreat even more dangerous: a fall from the ladder is far from unusual when a defensive swarm suddenly appears. In late summer, when the colony reaches its maximum size and irritability, this risk increases further.
What you should do straight away
- Do not climb a ladder yourself to inspect or remove the nest.
- Keep windows and terrace doors near the nest closed.
- Do not seal the entrance hole or spray it with a hose.
- Keep children and pets away from the area beneath the roof overhang.
- Call in a professional (/wespennest-entfernen) who will remove the nest safely and with the right equipment.
Good to know
Small, freshly built nests under 5 cm can sometimes be vacuumed out with little risk once they have been properly assessed — with larger, freely hanging nests, cold treatment or a biocide application with specialist equipment is usually required. Once removed, an old nest is never recolonised, so no follow-up treatment is needed the next year. If the nest sits under the balcony rather than at the roof edge, it is worth looking at our guide on wasp nests on balconies. For general advice on what to do when you find a nest, see Wasp nest found — what to do.
Frequently asked questions
Why do wasps build their nest under the roof overhang of all places?
The overhang offers shelter from rain and direct sun while still being freely accessible. Half-open spots like these under the eaves are a favourite nesting site for the queen in spring.
Can I remove the nest with a garden hose from a ladder?
We strongly advise against it. The combination of height, a ladder and a disturbed wasp colony quickly leads to falls or multiple stings. Leave the removal to a professional.
Does a nest under the roof overhang interfere with the gutter?
Usually not directly, unless it grows into the gutter itself. The main problem is its proximity to windows, terraces or entrances below.