Do you know how to get rid of wasp nest? It is advisable to learn how to do it properly so you don’t end up with multiple painful wasp stings! Find out more about Natural Wasp Repellent Tips to keep the bugs under control around your home.
How to Get Rid of Wasp Nest
You need to exercise extreme caution when attempting to remove a wasp (yellow jacket, hornet) nest. Wasps are aggressive and will sting REPEATEDLY.
I’ve discussed in another post how wasps are actually beneficial because they eat the pests that can destroy crops. However, they are dangerous because they can sting over and over again and each time they inject venom into the victim.
Hundreds of people in the United States die each year from allergic reactions to the venom of wasps.
Where do wasps build their nests?
Most of us like to enjoy being outside in the warm weather and we don’t want to have to worry about us, our family or our pets getting stung by these insects. Here are some areas you might discover a wasp nest:
- Soffits and eaves of the roof
- In and around hot attics
- Tree branches
- Porch ceilings
- The insides of unused grills or hose reels
- Behind shutters
If you simply try to knock down or even apply spray to the nest in the middle of the day, the wasps will think you’re attacking them and they will attack.
Tips to Get Rid of Wasp Nest
- Treat the nest at dusk or dawn when the insects are less likely to be active
- Use a soft-colored light and not a bright flashlight in the dark
- Wear gloves and long sleeves to avoid being stung.
- If you use a chemical spray, make sure you stand away from the nest and not directly underneath
- If you don’t want to use a chemical spray, you can make a simple solution of dish soap and water (2oz soap to 32oz water), which coats their wings and prevents them from flying and eventually drowns them
- If the nest is up high, use a spray bottle that attaches to the hose for the soap solution and aim it at the nest for 15 seconds
- If the nest is reachable, quickly pour the solution into the opening and then RUN!
- This method may need to be repeated several times
- Alternately, you can use a garbage bag and slowly cover the wasp nest, then detach from structure and quickly seal the bag.
Jenna Hunter
Tuesday 31st of December 2019
My cousin has discovered a wasp nest outside his home and they are bothering the kids. He would love to get it removed by a professional so that he doesn't have to worry about it. It was interesting to learn that he should have them do it at dusk or dawn.
NightAzalea
Sunday 18th of August 2019
One place I lived we had a lot of wasps living in a neighbor's yard so they kept trying to find new spaces in ours to use. I looked up and read about clove oil apparently mimics the pheromone that wasps see as being a warning that there is danger in the area and they should steer clear. It really does help! I'd still follow the advice here though to only spray it on active nests when they're less active, they sure don't like it!
Sarah
Monday 20th of May 2019
Any tips on preventing nests inside the lid of a propane tank? We have to remove 1-5 small nests inside ours every fall, once it starts getting cold. I tried to remove one already at dawn and as soon as I moved the lid, they started buzzing around angrily. Due to the flammable nature of spray, I really don’t want to put it on an explosive house bomb. But I’m going to need a propane refill soon-ish, and don’t want to risk the filler’s life with a swarm of angry wasps.
The nests don’t seem to work for longer than about a month.
Mother of 3
Thursday 24th of May 2018
We've recently started noticing a few ground wasp nests and those are scary because we often don't see them until we've stepped on them and angered them. These are such great tips.