Nothing ruins a nice day outside more than a wasp buzzing around. If you notice wasps making their home on your property, you’re going to want to get rid of them as soon as possible.
To keep yourself and others safe, it’s important to remove wasp nests before they strike. Keep reading for tips on how to remove a wasp nest safely.
1. Identify the Wasp Nest
Different types of wasps will build different nests, and your wasp removal strategy can change. Although they might look similar, it’s important to note that wasps are different from bees.
What are wasps, then? There are three main types: paper wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets. All of them will be larger than bees, and their bodies will not be covered in fuzzy hair.
Paper wasps have longer bodies and legs compared to other wasps. They build large nests that look like upside-down umbrellas. These nests are usually built under the eaves of a building or in the open end of a pipe.
Yellowjackets are bright yellow with large black antennae. They build papery nests in enclosed spaces, like gaps in walls or in the ground.
Hornets are the largest wasps with white markings on their head and body. Their papery nests are built in tree trunks or inside walls.
2. Protect Yourself
Unlike bees, wasps will not die after they sting you. They can attack in swarms, so it’s a good idea to wear protective clothing before you start your wasp nest removal.
Gloves, goggles, and thick clothing that covers your whole body will help protect against stings. In addition to being painful, wasp stings might cause allergic reactions. It’s also a good idea to make sure any children and pets are indoors before you begin your wasp nest removal.
3. Plan Your Attack
Do not use torches, lighters, or baseball bats for wasp nest removal. These can cause serious property damage. Instead, choose a pesticide spray specific for killing wasps. Use the spray on the nest from a distance. Be sure to plan an escape route in case you must run away from an angry swarm.
Try to approach the wasp nest at night. Wasps are less active at night, giving you a better chance to approach and remove the wasp nest safely.
4. Call a Professional
If the wasp nest is in a difficult-to-reach place, or if you aren’t sure about removing it yourself: that’s okay. It’s better to be safe than stung.
Contacting pest control experts is a guaranteed way to go about removing a wasp nest safely. Exterminators and pest control are trained to identify the different types of wasps and how to remove wasp nests.
The Bottom Line
Wasps are always going to be a frustrating part of warmer weather. Although they do help control the population of other annoying pests, that doesn’t mean you have to tolerate them in your backyard.
Whether you call a professional or do it yourself, how you choose to remove a wasp nest is up to you. Now that you’re armed with the know-how, get out there and take back your outdoor space!
