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Some creatures receive VIP invitations to our backyards – perhaps you plant a garden to attract butterflies or build a bat house to control mosquitoes. But wasps are one of the insects most people don’t want in their outdoor space. Their stings can be sharp and painful, and unlike bees, they don’t lose their stinger once they’ve stung, so they can hit you multiple times. Usually their stings hurt and leave itchy welts, but those allergic to wasp stings can experience reactions that require a visit to the emergency room!

However, wasps are not pure villains, as they are potential pollinators and can help with insect patrol.

“The biggest concern is the stings,” says Alexander Gray, district manager of the Kansas City-based Trutech Wildlife Services“Just walking past a wasp nest can trigger an infestation because the pests are very aggressive.”

Some Wasps tend to be more aggressive than others: Paper wasps, yellowjackets and bald-faced hornets pose a greater sting threat, while mud wasps are not as aggressive. (Learn more about wasp species below!) In addition, small things can startle them and make them aggressive, such as the vibrations of a lawnmower.

Because an irritated colony can sting you, wasp removal is best left to the professionals, especially if you can’t identify the insect species or if you come across large nests between August and October, when wasps are most aggressive, Gray says. Additionally, properly treating nests may require climbing a ladder and going into an enclosed space, he says.

Below, wasp experts explain how to get rid of wasp nests and give tips on how to prevent these stinging insects from nesting in your garden in the first place.

Common wasp species

Although there are thousands of wasp species, they are usually divided into two categories: social wasps that live together in nests, and solitary wasps that are rarely dangerous, explains Bryan McGee, pest control manager for SSC Services for Educationwhich provides grounds management services to K-12 and higher education institutions throughout the United States

Social wasps, such as paper wasps, bald-faced hornets and yellowjackets, most often attack when they are disturbed, irritated or threatened in some way, McGee says. If you need help identifying a wasp and assessing the dangers it poses, he recommends using a website like Insectidentification.org.

Here are some common social wasps that are known to sting:

Paper wasps

Paper wasps are mostly brown with some yellow markings and could be confused with wasps but have a thinner waist. They build paper-like nests that look like honeycombs in crevices and nooks such as porch ceilings, eaves, under-deck areas, and even patio furniture or gutters.

You can usually control paper wasps yourself because they are not as aggressive as other wasp species and their nests are smaller and have open holes.

Yellow Jackets

Yellowjackets are active in the summer and fall and are sometimes confused with honeybees because they are similar in size and have alternating black and yellow coloring. However, bees are fluffier and rounder, while yellowjackets are narrower and have yellow, spindly legs. A yellowjacket queen can survive the winter burrowed in the nest and is ready to start a new colony in the spring.

Yellowjackets are very aggressive and form their colonies in wall cavities, under roof shingles, in gutters or even in small openings around the house, says Dan “The Bug Man” Latini, the owner of Dan Can Home Services in New Jersey, whose primary service is pest control. Yellowjackets also like to build underground colonies in old holes, such as burrows dug by rodents.

Treatment of yellowjackets, especially when they have burrowed into the soil, should usually be left to a professional.

Bald-faced hornet

Bald-faced hornets are mostly black with white and ivory markings. Their rounded nests are very large (about 14 inches in diameter and 24 inches in length) with a grayish color that can be seen in shrubs, overhangs and corners of houses, says Joe Malinowski, vice president of pest control at Pest control agency And Mosquito Authority.

Even nests of the bald-faced hornet wrapped in wood pulp are not easy to remove on your own, as spraying the nest with a spray is too difficult.

Signs that you have a wasp nest

Swarms of wasps are a telltale sign that the insects are nearby, looking for food and materials to build their nests. They are usually found on the sunnier sides of houses and lawns, Latini says.

You may also hear a buzzing noise. This is especially problematic if it is coming from inside the house, as it probably means a wasp is building its nest between the rafters or in the attic.

But the most obvious sign that you have a wasp nest is that you spot one. Wasps often build nests in sheltered places like under eaves, roof lines or overhangs. They like enclosed, warm spaces like attics, garages, sheds, areas under the porch, patios or in the corners of patio furniture, says Aldo Ceja, a home expert at Thumbtack. You can even find them in birdhouses or gutters.

“I recommend regularly inspecting your home for possible entry points such as cracks or gaps in walls, roofs and around windows and sealing them to reduce the risk of wasp nests and infestations,” says Ceja.

After all, you don’t want to sneak up on a colony unnoticed and encounter territorial wasps there.

How to remove a wasp nest

Before you try to get rid of a wasp nest, consider whether the wasps are really a nuisance. If the nest is in a high-traffic area of ​​your lawn or an area where your pets or children play, and you’re worried about wasp stings, it makes sense to get rid of the nest. However, if the nest is buried in a tree and out of the way, and the wasps aren’t causing a disturbance, it may be best to leave these pollinators alone.

Your approach to removing a wasp nest depends on the type of wasp nest.

Use a wasp spray

Wasp sprays typically cost between $8 and $15 and work by spraying foam onto the nest, covering the wasps. These treatments usually contain pyrethrin or pyrethroid as the active ingredient, explains exterminator Rocky Beninato, founder of Toronto-based High quality and affordable pest controlThese ingredients kill the wasps immediately on contact or disrupt their nervous system, causing paralysis and ultimately death.

How to use a wasp spray safely:

1. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, pants, rubber boots or closed shoes, a mask or scarf, gloves and safety glasses.

2. Choose a spray that works from a distance and make sure it’s not too windy so you don’t get sprayed yourself, advises Beninato.

3. Follow the directions on the can. In most cases, it will tell you to spray the entrance of the nest, says Beninato.

4. With most sprays, it is recommended to wait 48 hours after spraying the nest before removing it. Again, wear protective clothing if there are still live wasps present.

5. Remove the nest with a broom handle and place it in a garbage bag.

6. Tie the bag and throw it in an outdoor trash can.

7. Clean the area where the nest was with soap and water or diluted bleach to prevent wasps from returning, Beninato advises.

One important note: Wasp sprays can damage your siding by warping or discoloring the vinyl, Latini says. If the nest is near the entrance to the house, the wasps may also try to squeeze in, which becomes even more problematic, he says.

Spray a DIY solution

If there is an active wasp nest, a simple solution of two tablespoons of dish soap in a spray bottle of water can be used to treat the nest, says David Price, associate certified entomologist and director of technical services at Mosquito JoeA Neighbourly Company.

This works because the soap clogs the spiracles, the openings that allow oxygen to enter. Again, it’s important to keep your distance and wear protective clothing to reduce the risk of a sting. Once you no longer see any active wasps, you can demolish the nest to discourage others from re-inhabiting the nest, he says.

Hang an artificial wasp nest

Certain species of wasps, such as the bald-faced hornet, are territorial, so hanging an artificial wasp nest can keep them away, but only certain species, Gray says. “I’ve seen paper wasps use them as nests, so this could simply be a case of species swapping,” he explains.

Call a professional

Often times, removing nests yourself is dangerous, so it’s best to call in a professional. Professional pest control professionals wear the proper protective clothing and are equipped with the necessary tools and products to troubleshoot and eliminate the wasp problem. If you have aggressive wasps or a large bald-faced hornet nest, you’re probably better off leaving this job to the professionals.

How to prevent wasps from coming back

Once you get rid of the wasps, you don’t want them to come back! Here are some tips from Price on how to prevent wasps from building another nest in a nearby area of ​​your garden:

• Be sure to keep your grill and the surrounding area clean to avoid any leftovers or meat drippings.

• Wrap beverage cans before throwing them in the trash.

• Make sure garbage bags are tightly closed before throwing them in the trash can.

• If you have a fruit tree, remove fallen fruit.

• Hang wasp traps around the outer edge of the yard.

Finally, keep sources of sugar like hummingbird feeders away from your perches, Gray advises. The sweet liquid can attract all sorts of unwanted flying insects, including wasps.

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