How To Get Rid Of Paper Wasps

How To Get Rid Of Paper Wasps

Getting rid of paper wasps on your own can be done, but it requires caution because these wasps can sting if they feel threatened. Here’s how a home or business owner can get rid of paper wasps safely and effectively:

Identify the Nest Early

• Paper wasps build umbrella-shaped nests, usually under eaves, overhangs, sheds, decks, or in shrubs.

• Early-season nests are small and easier to remove. Late-season nests can be larger and more aggressive.

Timing is Key

• The best time to remove a nest is late evening or night when most wasps are inside the nest and less active.

• Avoid removal during the day, especially in warm weather, because wasps are highly defensive.

Wear Protective Clothing

• Wear long sleeves, gloves, pants, closed-toe shoes, and eye protection.

• If possible, cover your head with a hat or hood to reduce risk of stings.

Choose the Right Method

You have a few DIY options:

• Insecticidal Spray (Aerosol): Use a wasp-specific aerosol spray that allows you to spray from a safe distance (10–15 feet is ideal). Spray directly into the nest entrance at night. Follow the instructions carefully and spray for the recommended duration to ensure wasps inside are killed. After 24 hours, remove the dead nest with a stick or long tool, being careful of any remaining live wasps.

• Soap and Water Solution (Less Toxic): Mix 1–2 tablespoons of dish soap in a spray bottle of water. Spray directly into the nest at night. Soap clogs the wasps’ breathing tubes and kills them. Less effective for large nests but works well for small, early-season nests.

• Freeze or Remove the Nest: For small nests, some people remove them manually with a stick after ensuring all wasps are dead. Never remove an active nest by hand, as it will provoke stings.

Prevent Future Infestations

• Seal any cracks, gaps, or openings under eaves and overhangs.

• Remove old nests, as wasps may reuse abandoned ones.

• Reduce attractants like open food, sugary drinks, and unsealed trash cans.

Safety Precautions

• Keep children and pets away during treatment.

• Be ready with an epinephrine auto-injector if anyone nearby has a severe allergy.

• Always have a clear escape route in case wasps become aggressive.

If the nest is large, difficult to reach, or in a high-traffic area, our professional pest control is strongly recommended. Paper wasps can be aggressive when defending their nest, and our professionals have the equipment, experience, and chemicals to eliminate them safely.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Paper Wasps

Our professional pest control is the best way to get rid of paper wasps for a home or business owner because it combines safety, effectiveness, and long-term prevention:

Safety

• Paper wasps are defensive and can sting multiple times. Stings can be extremely painful and, for allergic individuals, potentially life-threatening.

• Our professionals wear protective gear and use specialized equipment to minimize the risk of stings.

• DIY attempts, especially on large or hard-to-reach nests, increase the likelihood of injury.

Effective Removal

• Our professionals know how to locate all nests, including hidden or hard-to-see ones in eaves, roof overhangs, sheds, or shrubs.

• We use commercial-grade insecticides that are far more effective than store-bought sprays or homemade solutions.

• We can eliminate entire colonies at once, including the queen, preventing the colony from rebuilding.

Long-Term Prevention

• Simply removing a nest does not prevent new colonies from forming. Our professionals often treat the surrounding area to deter future paper wasp infestations.

• We can identify environmental factors attracting wasps, like exposed food, sugary residues, or structural openings, and provide guidance or treatments to make the property less appealing.

Access and Equipment

• Some nests are in difficult-to-reach places like high eaves, rooflines, or inside vents. Our professionals have the proper ladders, extension tools, and insecticidal delivery systems to safely treat these areas.

• We also safely remove nests without damaging property whenever possible, and are equipped for more intensive paper wasp nest removal services like cut-outs.

Time and Stress Savings

• DIY removal requires careful planning, protective gear, and multiple attempts if the nest is large or the colony is aggressive.

• Our professionals can handle the job quickly, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to your home or business.

Peace of Mind

• Our professional pest control ensures the wasps are completely eradicated and reduces the likelihood of future infestations.

• For businesses, this also ensures customer safety and compliance with workplace safety standards.

While small nests can sometimes be handled safely on your own, our professional pest control is the best option for large nests, hard-to-reach locations, recurring infestations, or situations where safety is a concern. The investment is minimal compared to the potential pain, risk of stings, or property damage from improper removal.