If you see wasps buzzing and flying around your yard, and want to get rid of them, search the nest first. Spray an aerosol insecticidal product designed to kill large bees and wasps at night. Make sure you wear thick protective clothing when approaching the wasp nest, and don't get too close to the nest. If the wasp nest is within a safe enough distance from the house, it's a good idea to leave it alone. Wasps themselves actually eat other insects and help pollinate flowers so that they become an important part of the ecosystem.
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Part 1 of 3: Finding Wasps' Nests
Step 1. Look for small nests around the house in early spring (or when the weather is getting warmer)
Wasp nests are small and easier to get rid of in early spring. Nests the size of a ping pong ball usually only contain the queen wasp and unhatched eggs so you can spray them straight away with a hose.
You will need insecticide to kill larger nests. In summer, these nests can grow to the size of a basketball and have thousands of wasps
Step 2. Wear protective clothing when searching for and handling wasp nests
At a minimum, wear thick, long-sleeved clothing, long pants, thick leather or rubber gloves, and boots. Coveralls can provide added protection, and a beekeeper's veil can protect your head and face.
- If you don't have a protective hood, wear protective eyewear and a hat that can cover your ears.
- To keep the wasps from getting into your clothes, use rubber bands or adhesive tape to attach the ends of the sleeves to the gloves, and the ends of the pants to the boots.
Step 3. Bait and follow the wasp if you don't know where the nest is
If you've seen wasps roaming around your home but don't know where their nests are, pay attention to where they're flying. When looking for food, wasps collect what they can and carry it back to their nest.
Try leaving the bait (eg pieces of fruit or meat), then observe from inside the house. When the wasp is attracted, pay attention to the direction it is flying and follow it. In the end, you can track the position of the wasp's nest
Step 4. Place the marker within about 4, 5 or 6 meters from the wasp nest
Wasp nests are gray or ivory, round (resembling a waterdrop or oval shape), and can be about the size of a basketball. Wasp nests usually hang from trees, but you can also find nests that are above the ground. Once you've found the nest, stay within a safe distance and mark the point so you can easily find the wasp's nest later.
- When near the nest, look for openings or entrances. Wasp nests usually have one small opening at the bottom. You may need to use binoculars to find the opening if you don't want to get too close to the nest.
- You will need to spray the insecticide at night so mark the nest position points with a light colored flag that can be seen at night.
Part 2 of 3: Using Insecticides
Step 1. Purchase an aerosol insecticide product with a spray range of 4.5 to 6 meters
Look for aerosol insecticide products formulated for bees or wasps in compressed air cans at a home or garden supply store. Check the product label and make sure the product can produce a strong spray that can reach a distance of (at least) 4.5 meters.
- You'll need a long-reaching aerosol insecticide product so you can hit the wasp's nest without having to stand too close to the nest.
- Read the instructions for use and use the product as directed.
Step 2. Kill the wasp nest using insecticide at night
The best time to eradicate wasp nests with insecticide is two hours after sunset. Wasp activity decreases at night and most of the worker wasps return to their nests after evening.
- The European wasp is an exception to this step because this species remains active after sunset. For European wasp species, the best spraying time is before sunrise (when it is still dark).
- The European wasp can grow up to 2.5 centimeters in length, and has a reddish-brown head and thorax (midbody). Other species of bees and wasps do not have this reddish-brown coat.
Step 3. Use a flashlight with a red filter to search for nests
Wasps have trouble seeing red light. Therefore, attach the red cellophane to the flashlight and glue it with adhesive tape. With this paper, you can see where you are going without disturbing the nest and the wasps in it.
- You can attract wasps if you use an unfiltered flashlight.
- Remember to always wear protective clothing when approaching the nest. Keep in mind that getting rid of wasp or bee hives is risky, and protective clothing itself doesn't necessarily make you vulnerable to attack.
Step 4. Aim the insecticide spray at the opening or nest hole
When you find markers and wasp nests, try looking for openings or nest holes. Binoculars can help you find holes without getting too close to the nest. Once you find it, spray the insecticide steadily on the hole for 5-10 seconds.
- The purpose of this spray is to keep the nest intact as you wet the hole or opening. When a wasp comes out and attacks you, the wasp is exposed to or exposed to the insecticide.
- Try to keep the spray in the nest hole for a few seconds, but don't spray for longer than you need to. If you hear the buzzing "angry" wasps swarming together, cover your head with your hands immediately and run to safety.
Step 5. Check the nest after one day and re-spray insecticide if necessary
Wait for 24-48 hours, then return to the hive to check it out. If you still see a few wasps remaining, return to the nest after dark and re-spray the insecticide.
Large wasp nests may require 2-3 sprays. Once you are sure that the nest is no longer “inhabited”, drop the nest from a tree branch or, if the nest is above the ground, cover it with soil or sand
Part 3 of 3: Repel Wasps in the Future
Step 1. Putty and cover the hole in the house
In late winter or early spring, inspect houses and other structures on your land (eg sheds). Check for cracks or holes in siding, roof sills, roof trim, and roof ceilings, and seal any openings or cracks using waterproof putty.
Use 30 centimeters of wire gauze to cover large openings or ventilation holes
Step 2. Remove food and water sources
Do not leave food or containers that still contain food, especially meat and protein sources, fruits, and sugary drinks. Make sure the hoses and water fittings are not leaking, and immediately drain any standing water in the yard.
Also, if you have pets outside the house, don't just leave food for them. Food and water can attract wasps
Step 3. Make sure the trash can is always tightly closed
It's important that you close the trash can or recycling box tightly if you're loading food scraps or containers that hold sugary drinks. You will also need to check the outside of the trash can regularly for food residue or any adhering liquid. Clean the outside of the trash can thoroughly using water from the hose if you see food or drink residue stuck to it.
Step 4. Cover the mouse nest or hole with soil
Nests and other holes/cracks can attract the attention of wasps or large bees that nest above ground. Check your yard in early spring and fill in any holes or gaps found.
Make sure you keep looking and checking holes throughout the spring and early summer
Tips
- If you want to leave the wasp nest in its place, make sure all family members and guests are aware of the location of the nest. Tell them not to get too close to the nest or do things that might irritate the wasps.
- If you're unsure (or it's your first time dealing with a wasp problem), don't try to fight the wasps and damage the nest without protection. Call a pest control service to get rid of the hive. As long as pest control is working, don't bother and leave the extermination to them.
- If the nest is in or around the house, there may be no other way than to get rid of it. However, if the nest is within a safe distance, it's a good idea to leave it alone. Wasps help control insect populations and pollinate flowers, and are an important part of the ecosystem.
- Trapping is not an effective method of controlling wasps, especially if you are dealing with a large number of wasps.
Warning
- Wasps can become aggressive when their nests are damaged/threatened. Plan an escape route in advance in case the wasps attack you while you are spraying the insecticide.
- Call a professional if you want to remove a wasp nest that is in a tall tree or inside a building structure, such as inside a wall or attic. Also, never try to get rid of the hive yourself if you have an allergy to bee, bee, or wasp stings.
- Some professional exterminators use the bag or bag technique. In this technique, the nest is covered by a plastic bag and cut from a tree branch. This method is better done by the experts. Don't try to follow this technique yourself.
- Never climb ladders to get rid of wasps. If a swarm of wasps attack, you can fall and be seriously injured.
