Yes, and tile roofs give wasps a lot of good options when it comes to nesting. The space between tile and underlayment is dark and protected, which makes it perfect for yellowjackets to nest inside. Paper wasps also build on eave overhangs.
Tile roofing is common across Los Angeles. That’s bad news if your property is prone to wasps because both yellowjackets and paper wasps like it for different reasons.
If you look at the eave edge of a barrel tile roof, you will find many openings. Each tile end is a small arched cavity, and unless bird stop or eave closures are installed and intact, those cavities allow wasps to get inside and nest between tile and underlayment. Yellowjackets will take advantage of this.
Meanwhile, paper wasps build their open combs under eave overhangs and rafters. They’re less aggressive than yellowjackets, but they’re still not company that you want to keep.
One sign that wasps are nesting inside your roof is steady traffic. If you see wasps leaving the same tile opening or eave every few seconds on a warm afternoon, that’s a clear indicator of what’s going on. The same is true if you hear buzzing from the roofline or see wasps repeatedly showing up in upstairs rooms.
If you suspect you have wasps, don’t try to seal them inside. That can drive the colony to chew and push toward light and that might send them right into your home. Likewise, don’t get on a ladder and spray up into a roof edge. Wasps can come out to attack you, and you can fall off the ladder. In short, if wasps are in the walls, it’s a job for professionals.
If wasps are using your roofline, Mosquito Squad of Los Angeles can help. Mosquito Squad locates and removes stinging insect nests and treats the spots where they build. This will help you protect your home before the colonies get large.
