Most homeowners will be able to deal with a wasps nest on their own. A can of wasp spray, some thick protective clothing, and good timing are all the tools you’ll need to clear out the infestation.

If you have a wasp nest on your property, your first instinct is probably going to be to get rid of it. This is an understandable reaction, but there are some benefits to keeping a wasp nest, like pollination and other pest control.

If you do want to dispose of the nest, the

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How to remove a wasp nest

If you already know where the wasps are nesting, removing them should be a fairly simple process. Keep in mind, simple does not necessarily mean safe. Wasps are dangerous and aggressive by nature. Taking on an infestation alone is very doable, but can be quite dangerous—especially if you’re allergic.

Remove it yourself

If you decide to go after the wasp nest on your own, you do so at your own risk. You’ll need to be quick, calm, precise, and know exactly what you’re going to do before you start. Here are some tips that will help:

Wear thick protective clothing: If all goes well, you won’t need the extra protection. But it is a good precaution all the same. Make sure you have as much skin covered with thick fabrics as possible. Protective eyewear is also important.

Use wasp spray: Don’t attempt to smash, splash, or spray the nest with anything but actual wasp spray. Spray all over and into the nest if you can. Be thorough, but be fast.

Strike very early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are likely lower: Wasps and other stinging insects rely on warmth to move properly. If the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the wasps will not be able to move or fly correctly. The colder it is, the more completely they will be paralyzed. Check the temperature before you strike. If it is not cold enough, they will be on you in seconds.

Call a professional exterminator

If all of that sounds a bit too troublesome, don’t worry. Some people do this sort of thing for a living. Contacting a professional exterminator is always the most sure-fire and safest way to handle a wasp infestation.

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Should I remove a wasp nest?

Wasps are dangerous. Even if they weren’t, their stings are still extremely painful. It’s no wonder that most people’s first instinct is to remove them. That may very well be the best course of action. But it should be mentioned that there are benefits to having wasps around. Some homeowners choose to tolerate the creatures and develop a mutually beneficial—if tenuous—coexistence.

Before you decide whether or not to remove a wasp nest, take a moment to review the pros and cons of having wasps around.

Pros

Population control: In the insect world, wasps are pretty near the top of their respective food chain. Removing them opens the floodgates for a population explosion of numerous other pests.

Pollination: In addition to other insects, wasps also feed on pollen, just like bees. And like bees, they provide a vital service for crops and other plants to grow and thrive.

Deterring other wasps: Wasps are territorial and they do not stay in the same hive from one year to the next. After the winter, they’ll be gone. But their empty hive will still mark the territory and keep other wasps from settling there.

Cons

Dangerous: The biggest con is, of course, the danger they pose. If you’re allergic or have small children, the wasps pose an unacceptable risk.

Aggressive: Many breeds of wasp are fiercely territorial or outright aggressive. Step in the wrong spot and you might be attacked. No one likes to feel that they aren’t free to walk around their own yard.

Painful: If you’ve ever been stung by a wasp, you don’t need to be told. Wasp stings are seriously painful. You don’t need to be allergic to be bothered by that.

In the end, you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons against your specific situation. Consider where exactly the nest is in relation to your house, what species of wasp it is, and how uncomfortable their presence makes you.

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How to recognize a wasps nest

There are four main types of wasps that you are likely to encounter in the United States, and they each make their own unique type of home. Furthermore, each type of wasp poses a different threat.

What does a yellowjacket nest look like?

Yellowjackets build complex honey-combed colonies that can house hundreds or even thousands of wasps. These nests have a thick protective outer layer and only one point of entry. While they will sometimes build hanging nests, they much prefer to settle in dark, out-of-the-way places like hollow logs, empty animal burrows, or abandoned buildings/structures.

Yellowjackets have a yellow and black body divided into two segments, six legs, and long wings which they hold to the sides when at rest. They usually grow to about a half-inch in length and are among the most aggressive flying insects in the world. Yellowjackets will attack on sight without provocation.

If you attack or kill a yellow jacket, they will release pheromones to call others to come help. Their stingers are smooth so they don’t break off when they sting—this means they can go on stinging you over and over. Their stings are extremely painful, and, if you’re allergic to wasps, the sting can be genuinely dangerous as well.

What does a hornet nest look like?

Hornets like to make their oval-shaped nests high up, typically at least six feet above the ground and usually in trees. Their nests are also covered by a protective outer layer that looks like gray paper. These nests usually house approximately 500 hornet wasps.

Hornets are rather distinctive—with a two-segment body that is brown or black in the front and yellow behind. Growing to 1.5-2 inches long, hornets are relatively gigantic when compared to other wasps.

Hornets are not as aggressive as their yellowjacket cousins and will usually only attack if threatened. That being said, hornets can be even more deadly simply due to their size. In the unlikely event that you are stung by a hornet, seek medical attention immediately.

What does a paper wasp nest look like?

Paper wasps build open nests with exposed honeycomb. They are usually found hanging from tree branches, roofs, or other overhangs. The nest is often described as looking like an upsidedown umbrella. Like hornets, paper wasp nests have a grey paper-like appearance. Paper wasps build smaller nests with communities of only 20-30 adults.

Paper wasps are brown and don’t usually grow beyond three-quarters of an inch. Though less aggressive and less venomous than many other breeds, paper wasps will still viciously attack if they feel threatened. While painful, their stings are typically only dangerous if you’re allergic.

What does a mud dauber nest look like?

Mud daubers build pale nests of long thin tubes. They are similar in appearance to organs pipes or pan flutes and are usually found in shady sheltered places. Unlike most of their cousins, daubers are lone hunters—their nests house only themselves.

Mud daubers are black with clear or dark wings. The two segments of their body are separated by a long thin section which gives them a distinctive and unearthly appearance.

Their behavior is also very different from other wasps. They are generally docile and will rarely sting. If they feel threatened, however, their sting can still be painful and potentially dangerous.

How to keep wasps away

The best way to get rid of a wasp nest is to prevent one from forming in the first place! Here are some strategies that should help keep wasps away from your home:

Avoid attracting them: Wasps are drawn to sweet things. Don’t leave soda or sugary foods sitting outside.

Use deterrents: Some herbal repellents such as lemongrass or cloves are effective at discouraging wasp colonies. Spray them around high-risk areas.

Don’t give them an opening: Make sure your house, garage, and sheds are free of open cracks, gaps, crevices, and other nooks and crannies where wasps might get in and set up shop

Set traps: Wasp traps can be found at most stores that sell outdoor gear or gardening equipment.

Does home insurance cover wasp removal?

Unfortunately, standard homeowners insurance will not cover the cost of removing any pest infestation. Insurance companies consider infestations to be a preventable problem. Therefore they are the homeowner's responsibility.

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Should I remove a wasp nest?

Removing a wasps nest is usually the safest option. Especially if you have pets, small children, or allergies.

However, if the wasp species is not especially aggressive and the nest is a good distance from your home, you might consider leaving it. There are multiple ecological benefits to having one around.

Can I ignore a wasp nest?

If the nest is a safe distance from your house, you're not allergic, and you don't have small children, it should be safe enough to leave it alone. It will, of course, depend on the species of wasp though.

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