Wasps and hornets often build their nests under the eaves of houses or in other open spaces. These include loft roof areas, garden sheds and garages.
Store-bought wasp sprays are effective against these pests, but you must be careful when applying them. Wear protective clothing and treat the wasp nest killer in late evenings when they are least active.
1. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a powdered form of fossilized algae that works as a natural insecticide by dehydrating and disorienting insects. Food grade DE is safe for pets and people, as it does not have any chemical toxicity. Instead, it works on a mechanical level and destroys the insects’ exoskeletons. It does so by removing the waxy outer coating of the insect’s exoskeleton, which allows precious water to escape and causes dehydration and death (4).
This is one of the most effective ways to repel wasps, as it works on a physical rather than chemical level. It is also a great deterrent for other pests, such as ants, beetles, box elder bugs, centipedes, fleas, earwigs and silverfish. It is also used by livestock producers to kill internal parasites, though this use requires careful application and feeding in order to be effective (5).
The most common ways to get rid of wasps around your home and garden are to use a wasp trap, hang hummingbird feeders away from the house, clean up outdoor fruit quickly, close outdoor garbage cans and cover compost piles. You can also try a mixture of clove, lemongrass and geranium essential oils in a spray bottle to use on outdoor walls or crevices where you’ve seen wasp activity. This is a more natural method, but can be difficult to apply in large areas.
2. Soap and Water
Many pest control products sold at home and hardware stores contain a soap that can be applied with a sprayer to kill wasps. This product can also be sprayed around areas where wasps frequently nest, such as decks, wood fences, and playsets. This method doesn’t provide immediate results, but it will help discourage future wasp nests from forming.
Yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets are social wasps that build large nests in the ground, under eaves of homes and structures and inside wall voids and attics. Unlike most solitary wasp species, these insects live in colonies and will aggressively defend their nests.
During the spring, queens emerge and seek shelter and food. These wasps often eat protein-based foods like meat scraps and scavenge for sugar items like grill drippings. When wasps find a source of both, they will start building a nest from tiny scraps of wood, such as those found in discarded garden sheds or in the shingles on homes and roofs.
In most cases, the easiest way to remove an outdoor wasp nest is to simply knock it down and bag it for disposal. If a wasp nest is inside your home, it’s best to contact a professional pest management company for removal and prevention services. Indoor wasp nests are difficult to treat and can be dangerous if the wasps become agitated during treatment.
3. Insecticide Spray
Wasps and hornets nest in small holes or crevices, such as wall cavities and garden sheds. If you spot a wasps’ nest in your loft, garden shed or around the home, you can purchase wasp and hornet control products at your local DIY store to kill the insects. These are often aerosols, such as PT Wasp & Hornet Freeze or Bonide Wasp & Hornet Aerosol, that allow you to treat a wasps’ nest from a safe distance. However, if the wasps’ nest is indoors or in a seldom-used part of the house, you’ll need to seek professional help.
You can also use a residual liquid insecticide spray in areas where you think wasps may be interested in building a nest, such as your patio, outdoor furniture or wood fence. The wasps will carry the chemicals back to the nest, paralyzing and killing them.
You should check for wasps’ access points into the home, including the mortar between bricks, and the beams and supports of garages and sheds. If you find them, seal any tiny gaps or cracks with silicone caulk. Also, plant wasp-repellent plants such as pennyroyal, marigolds, wormwood and basil to prevent these insects from wanting to build their nests in your yard. If you do spot a wasps’ nest, it is best to treat it at night when the wasps are dormant in their hive.
4. Foam
Getting rid of wasps and hornets is an essential part of home pestemite. The use of a wasp nest killer can be the difference between a successful DIY job and a call to your local pest control company. A number of sprays can be found at your local hardware or home improvement store that will quickly knockdown wasps and hornets and prevent future nesting sites.
For example, PT Wasp and Hornet Freeze and EcoPco Jet Contact Insecticide Aerosol provide a quick-knockdown and are easy to use. They can be sprayed up to 15-20 feet away and will kill wasps instantly. These sprays have oily bases and should be used sparingly to avoid staining surfaces.
Paper wasps (Poliste species) build their umbrella-shaped nests under porch roofs and eaves. These wasps are less aggressive than yellow jackets and hornets, but disturbing their nests can still be dangerous. These types of wasps typically only produce a few dozen workers.
Yellow jacket queens are particularly aggressive and will sting repeatedly when their colonies are disturbed. The queens search for suitable nesting locations in the spring, especially those that offer food sources like meat scraps and ripe fruit. They often take over abandoned rodent burrows.
Ground-nesting yellow jackets are most commonly discovered when people are mowing the lawn or undertaking other yard maintenance activities. The vibrations created by lawn equipment irritate the wasps, which can trigger a defensive response and lead to painful stings. To prevent this, inspect your yard regularly for mud dauber holes and dust insecticidal dust like Tempo Dust into the holes’ entrance at night.
