Wasps aren’t just annoying—they can become downright dangerous, especially if they build nests near your home or favorite outdoor spaces. Known for their aggressive stings, wasps can cause a serious buzzkill at barbecues and outdoor gatherings. While their venom is typically just painful, it can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions in some people.
You can often remove small nests with over-the-counter products. However, hiring a pest control provider for professional wasp removal ensures the safe removal of larger infestations. We’ll walk you through how to get rid of wasps and their nests and answer some common questions about wasp control.
DIY Solutions To Get Rid of Wasps
If you want to try your hand at wasp extermination, follow these steps to get rid of wasps safely and effectively.
Identify the Problem
Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets are all considered nuisance insects. You can try to exterminate them in similar ways, but it’s useful to determine which wasp species you’re dealing with to know what to expect. For example, paper wasps can be eliminated in the daytime, whereas hornets and yellow jackets are notoriously aggressive and should be approached with treatment only at night.
| Paper Wasp | Baldfaced Hornet | Yellowjacket | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Brown, rust-colored, may have yellowish markings | Black with white markings | Yellow with black lines or spots |
| Length | 1/2″–1″ | 7/8″ | 3/8″–5/8″ |
| Distinguishing features | Thin waist | White “bald” head | Wings fold up when at rest |
| Nest | Umbrella-shaped, no protective envelope | Football- or pear-shaped, protective envelope | Football-shaped, protective envelope; may nest in the ground like ground bees |
| Behavior | Not aggressive unless nest is disturbed | Less active at night, aggressive when disturbed | Unpredictable and aggressive |
Take Precautions
Before you attempt to take on a wasp nest yourself, protect yourself from these stinging insects with the following safety precautions:
- Wear a hat, gloves, and long sleeves, and consider using eye protection.
- Avoid wearing perfume, since wasps are drawn to strong scents.
- Treat the nests in the evening or at night when the worker drones are inside and nest activity is low.
- Locate yourself upwind of the nest. Don’t stand directly under it.
Quick Tip
- If you’re attempting to remove wasps from your property, have at least one other person around in case of a medical emergency. This is unlikely, but it’s a good idea to be prepared, especially if you don’t know whether you’re allergic to a sting. If you are stung and you experience any allergic symptoms, particularly trouble breathing or swallowing, seek medical attention immediately.
Use the Appropriate Insecticide
Insecticides designed to kill wasps or hornets come in the form of aerosol sprays, dusts, and residual liquids. These treatments should be applied to the nest, not individual insects, as this will be ineffective. Sprays and concentrated liquids are usually a good first line of defense to knock out a current infestation, and applying dust afterward can keep wasps from coming back.
Many aerosol sprays have a surprisingly long range, so you won’t have to stand close to a nest to use them. Always make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions on the package to use the insecticide properly.
How To Get Rid of Wasp Nests
To effectively get rid of a wasp nest, you’ll need to kill the wasps first—simply removing the nest won’t stop them from returning. Apply a wasp-specific insecticide at night when the insects are less active, and always wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, gloves, and goggles. Even if the nest appears inactive, approach it with caution and treat it as if it’s still occupied.
If the nest is inside your home or underground, contact a pest control professional. Improper removal can be dangerous and may cause the wasps to become aggressive. Avoid the following actions when dealing with a wasp nest:
- Don’t knock down the nest with a stick or other object.
- Don’t burn the nest—flames can spread quickly.
- Don’t spray it with a hose.
- Don’t tear open the paper shell of the nest.
- Don’t seal a live nest inside a wall or enclosed space.
How To Prevent Wasps
Once you’ve cleared out a wasp problem, the next step is keeping them from coming back. Prevention starts with cutting off the resources wasps use to build nests and feed their colonies. Here’s how to make your property less inviting:
- Block entry points: Use caulk or weather stripping to seal cracks in siding, door frames, and rooflines.
- Fill ground holes: Cover up any holes in soil or turf to prevent underground nests.
- Seal trash and recycling bins: Wasps are drawn to food scraps and sugary residues—keep all containers tightly closed.
- Set wasp traps early: Place traps in spring to capture scout wasps before they establish a colony.
- Tidy up outdoor areas: Trim back shrubs and overgrown plants to eliminate ideal nesting spots.
Conclusion
Wasp stings can be quite painful, so if you don’t want to risk getting stung—or you’ve tried the DIY route and it hasn’t worked—call a professional pest control provider. These experts will have the proper materials and protective equipment to get rid of wasps quickly and safely.
FAQs About Wasp Removal
What’s the difference between a wasp, hornet, and yellow jacket?
Hornets and yellow jackets are two types of wasps. Here’s how to tell them apart:
- Hornets have broader bodies than other types of wasps. They may be black with gray or white bands or yellow, brown, and black. They build gray, pear-shaped nests with an opening at the bottom.
- Yellow jackets have jagged yellow and black stripes on their bodies. They tend to nest underground, and they’ll often become aggressive if provoked.
- European paper wasps are sometimes confused with yellow jackets. They build open nests with hexagonal shapes that can be seen from the outside.
What are some natural wasp repellents?
Although you’ll probably need synthetic insecticides to get rid of wasps, you can employ some natural solutions to keep them away. Plants like citronella, spearmint, marigolds, and geraniums are all thought to be wasp deterrents. Additionally, essential oils such as peppermint, clove, geranium, and lemongrass may have some effect when sprayed on places where wasp nests used to remain. A 2012 study backs up the repellent effects of these oils on yellow jackets.
Do dryer sheets repel wasps?
Unfortunately, this viral internet trend doesn’t have any evidence to back it up. According to expert naturalists at the Entomological Society of America, dryer sheets’ effect on repelling wasps hasn’t been studied, and it’s uncertain what feature of the dryer sheet would have a repellent effect.
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