How to Get Rid of Wasps

How to Identify Wasps

Wasps are slender, smooth-bodied stinging insects with a narrow "waist" between the thorax and abdomen, unlike the fuzzy, rounded bee. Paper wasps build open, umbrella-shaped combs under eaves, railings and grills and are usually brown or reddish with yellow markings. Yellow jackets are bright yellow and black, fast-moving, and typically nest underground, in wall voids or in dense shrubs. Hornets, such as the bald-faced hornet, are larger and build big, enclosed gray paper nests the size of a football in trees, shrubs or on the side of a structure. Carpenter bees, which can look similar, are large and round with a shiny black abdomen and bore round holes into wood rather than building paper nests.

Signs of an Wasps Problem

• A visible paper nest under eaves, decks, railings or in shrubs
• Steady wasp traffic coming and going from one spot in the wall, ground or roofline
• Buzzing sounds inside a wall void, attic or soffit
• Wasps repeatedly hovering around trash cans, food or sweet drinks outdoors
• Round, clean-edged holes in wood railings or fascia (carpenter bees)
• Increasing numbers of stinging insects through late summer and early fall

Why Wasps Are a Problem

• Stings are painful and a single wasp can sting many times
• Disturbing a nest can trigger a swarm and dozens of stings
• Stings can cause life-threatening allergic reactions in sensitive people
• Nests near doors, decks and play areas put children and pets at risk
• Carpenter bees and some wasps can damage wood and attract woodpeckers

Why DIY Often Falls Short

Store-bought sprays only knock down the wasps you can see at the surface of the nest, while the queen and larvae deep inside often survive and rebuild. Spraying also provokes the colony, and many serious sting incidents happen to homeowners on a ladder, where a single sting can cause a dangerous fall. Underground yellow jacket nests and colonies hidden inside wall voids are nearly impossible to reach with a can of spray, and treating the visible opening can drive the insects further into the structure or even indoors. Without protective equipment, the right product placed at the nest entrance and proper timing, DIY attempts frequently make the situation worse.

How a Professional Handles Wasps

• A licensed pest control professional will identify the species and locate the full nest before treating
• A pro can apply targeted products directly into the nest or entry point while wearing protective gear
• Professional treatment typically involves treating at dawn or dusk when the colony is least active
• A pro can safely reach high, hidden or underground nests that homeowners cannot access
• A professional can remove the nest and treat carpenter bee galleries to discourage rebuilding
• A pro will recommend sealing entry points so a new colony does not reoccupy the same spot

How to Prevent Wasps

• Inspect eaves, railings, sheds and play sets in spring and knock down small starter nests early
• Seal gaps around soffits, vents, utility lines and siding where wasps enter wall voids
• Keep outdoor trash cans tightly covered and rinse out cans and bottles before recycling
• Cover food and sweet drinks during outdoor meals, especially in late summer
• Fill in old rodent burrows and ground holes that yellow jackets may colonize
• Stain or paint exposed wood and seal existing carpenter bee holes to reduce nesting

Wasps FAQs