Wasp nest removal

Finding a wasp nest on your property can be alarming; wasps can sting, swarm, and cause issues to homeowners, business owners, and members of the public. Understanding how best to tackle wasp nest removal is crucial to protecting your family members, staff, or customers.

Getting rid of wasp nests

When determining how to get rid of a wasp nest on your property, it is important to understand that safety is the number one priority. Relying on professional expertise, professional safety equipment, and proven wasp control methods is the best way to remove a wasp nest without getting stung or causing property damage.

Getting rid of a wasp nest yourself is not recommended. The average homeowner is unaware of the steps and precautions one must take to remove a wasp nest. This makes wasp nest removal an extremely risky thing to do. If you find a wasp nest, do not take any chances. Trying to knock down the nest or using other methods can backfire and cause wasps to attack.

At Western Exterminator, we know how to find nests and how to destroy a wasp nest using the right safety equipment and treatments. We also seal up any entry points that have allowed wasps into your property and help prevent their return. Leave wasp control to the professionals at Western Exterminator.

If you are beginning to notice wasps around your home or business and think a nest is nearby, call us at 800-937-8398 or contact us online.

How NOT to remove a wasp nest

Wasps are aggressive creatures and require little aggravation to attack, so getting rid of a wasp nest yourself can cost you both financially and physically. Even if you think you know how to destroy a wasp nest, we strongly advise against trying to do so without professional help. 

Our guide to wasps can help illustrate why wasps shouldn’t be taken lightly.

1. Burning a wasp nest

Using fire to remove a wasp nest is a very dangerous task and is not a successful way to eradicate the wasps. Wasp nests are made from a thin papery substance produced by chewing wood into a pulp, making it extremely flammable. Because of this, burning a wasp nest can often lead to not only your property catching fire, but also you suffering painful burns.

Burning a wasp’s nest is also unlikely to kill all of the wasps. It can lead to the remaining wasps in the nest becoming violent, as well as the wasps out foraging for food, resulting in them attacking you and any bystanders.

2. Water

Using water is often regarded as another way to get rid of a wasp nest. The truth is that flooding a wasp nest isn’t an effective method at all. Depending on the location of the nest, using water to remove a wasp nest can result in further damage to your property. For example, if the wasp nest is in your attic, trying to remove the nest by flooding it could cause water damage to your attic beams and ceiling plaster boards.

Trying to flood a nest won’t get rid of all the wasps inhabiting the hive either. Similar to trying to burn a wasp nest, the wasps will become vicious and begin to attack, potentially leaving you with a handful of painful stings.

3. Destroying a wasp nest with a baseball bat

Destroying a wasp nest with a bat, racket, or any other item is another talked-about wasp nest removal option. Trying to remove a wasp nest by destroying it with a baseball bat will put you at direct risk of getting stung multiple times. This can be particularly dangerous if you are allergic to wasp stings, as you could go into anaphylactic shock.

This method of DIY wasp nest removal puts you in close proximity to the nest, which is often enough to aggravate them to trigger an attack. Trying to remove a wasp nest using a baseball bat can often result in you being stung before the task has started.

Removing wasp nests the right way

The best way to remove a wasp nest is to contact a pest control professional. A pest control expert is professionally trained to handle and remove wasp nests while causing as little disruption and danger as possible. Here's why:

• Safety equipment: A technician has access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE). This fully protects them from wasp stings, helping to ensure their safety when removing a wasp nest.
• Working in small spaces: Pest technicians are trained and qualified to work in small spaces such as your attic.
• Expert knowledge: A pest control professional has expert knowledge on wasps; they know all about their behavior and instincts as well as how to identify the signs of an allergic reaction to wasp stings.
• Professional products: Wasp technicians have access to and are professionally trained to use a variety of pest control products not available to the public.

Wasp nest removal can be dangerous enough as it is. If the nest is high up, like in a tree or roof eave, attempting to remove the nest can become more dangerous. It’s always best left to the professionals.

When to call a professional for wasp nest removal

If you notice a wasp nest near high-traffic areas like doorways, windows, or outdoor seating, it's time to contact a professional for wasp nest removal. Large nests or those located in hard-to-reach places, such as trees, attics, or wall cavities, can pose safety risks. Calling in a wasp nest exterminator ensures the nest is removed using the proper tools and protective equipment, helping to reduce the risk of stings or structural damage.

Don’t take risks with DIY attempts; reach out to Western Exterminator for professional help.

How to prevent wasp nests from forming

Following the steps below can help prevent wasps from building their nest in your home and/or yard:

• Carry out regular maintenance to ensure all cracks and potential entry points are sealed.
• Install fly screens on windows and doors to prevent wasps from entering your home.
• Place wasp traps around your yard. These can be purchased from your local hardware store or online. Alternatively, you can make one yourself using an empty bottle, water, and sugar.

Western Exterminator technicians know how to prevent wasp nests from forming and can help with these prevention methods.

Found a wasp nest in your home or yard and need help removing it? Get in touch with Western Exterminator today