I have very large wasps nest in my attic. I thought we were getting a lot of wasps this year - but people have been saying that it's a wasp-y year so didn't think that we were having anything but a few more than usual.
There were a few wasps in the attic when I went up a few weeks ago-but I just put it down to the then hot weather. A couple of days ago the single halogen recessed downlighter above my shower seemed to get dim, and then this morning it didn't come on at all. Oh, well, needs a new bulb, thought I.
Pulled the fitting down out of the ceiling plasterboard and was showered with dead wasps. This is not normal, I thought. Then I noticed that the woven heat-resisting insulation on the wires to the bulb connector was partly missing.
Now this really set the bells ringing. Opened the attic trapdoor to go up and have a look at the wiring. A few wasps about, and then I spotted a white mass, about 15" across, attached to the rafters above the shower room.
Shut the trapdoor pronto and found a man who does infestations. He's coming round later. It's like I imagine having an alien in your house.
Edit: The pest control man has been, in his van :N1** RAT (what else??) and removed the basketball-sized nest. There are a few vagrants hanging on, they were out on their travels and came back to find themselves homeless. They'll only survive a day or so at this time of year apparently. He said to give it a couple of days before going back into the attic. When I do, to mend the wiring and see what other damage there has been, I'll be wearing long trousies with the legs tucked into my socks, a long sleeved shirt and jumper, gloves and a hat...… Bit sad to disturb the balance of nature, but I can't live in a house full of wasps.
