How to Get Rid of a Wasp Nest
Seeing a wasp nest around your home can be a bit frightening. Wasps can sting even when unprovoked, so it’s essential to know the correct way to get rid of them safely.
Removing a wasp nest can be tricky, and a wasp sting can be quite painful. It can be dangerous, especially if you’re allergic to a wasp sting.
If you’re interested in how to get rid of a wasp nest around your home or property, we can help! Here are some tips for safe wasp nest removal.
Make Sure You Aren’t Allergic
Before you take any steps to remove a wasp nest, it’s important to know if you’re allergic to wasp stings. If so, attempting to remove a nest could be dangerous and even life-threatening.
Serious allergic reactions occur in 0.4% to 0.8% of children and 3% of adults each year. There are 90 to 100 deaths from wasp stings annually.
It’s definitely not worth the risk. To determine whether you’re allergic to wasp stings, see your doctor or an allergist for testing.
If you’re allergic, don’t go anywhere near a wasp nest. Have someone else do the job or hire professional pest control services to remove the wasp nest instead.
If You’re Stung by a Wasp
If you get stung while removing a nest, the initial symptoms may include:
- Sharp pain, stinging, or burning at the site
- Swelling
- Redness
- Itching
- A raised welt
After a sting, wash the area with mild soap and apply a cold pack. You can use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to ease stinging, itching, and irritation.
A severe allergic allergic reaction or anaphylaxis requires immediate emergency care. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Lightheadedness
- Swelling of the lips, face, or throat
- Loss of consciousness
- Hives
Someone with a history of anaphylaxis should carry an emergency kit or EpiPen. In some cases, CPR or additional epinephrine is required following a sting.
Find the Nest
If you’re hearing buzzing sounds or seeing wasps fly around, you’ll want to find the nest. Look for an umbrella-shaped cone.
Wasp nests are often found on horizontal surfaces in covered or protected areas, such as:
- Tree branches
- Porch ceilings
- Window corners
- Soffits
- Beneath decks or porches
- Attics
- Grills
If you can’t find the nest or you find a large nest or colony, your best bet is to call a pest control specialist as soon as possible.
Wear Protective Gear
If you plan to remove the wasp nest yourself, wear protective clothing. This can protect your skin and help prevent a painful sting.
Be sure to wear long pants, a hooded jacket, socks, and boots. Wear gloves, protective glasses, and a scarf to cover the lower part of your face.
If you’re using pesticides, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions. After using any type of pesticide, wash your hands and your clothing as soon as possible.
Keep the Kids Away
No matter how you choose to handle wasp nest removal, keep your children and pets inside and away from harm. If you use pesticides to kill wasps, it’s a good idea to keep everyone away from the area for 24 hours.
These chemicals are toxic, and you don’t want to expose your children or pets. If you notice dead wasps falling to the ground, dispose of them. Pets or wildlife could consume them and poison themselves.
Target the Nest Early
Whenever possible, it’s good to target wasps and nests early in the year. Queen wasps choose a nesting spot in early spring.
The colony grows through the spring and summer and can top over 1,000 wasps. At summer’s end, the last wasps of the colony are born.
Getting rid of wasps early in the year can help prevent the nest from expanding. Wasps are less aggressive during the early months of the year.
When the queen dies, you don’t have to worry about new nests forming in the same spot.
Destroy a Wasp Nest at Night
Wasps aren’t as active at night as they are during the day. Their reaction time slows after dark.
Avoid using a ladder to reach a wasp nest. You don’t want to risk serious injury.
If the nest is high, you can use smoke to get rid of them. Instead of a regular flashlight, use a red light instead. There are various ways to remove a wasp nest, including:
- Pesticides
- Insecticide
- Smoke
- Bucket of water and dish soap
Smoking them out can be very effective. They’ll abandon the nest, and you won’t need to use dangerous chemicals to get the job done.
Call the Pros
Seeing or hearing wasps on your property can be intimidating for many people. Your first instinct may be to get rid of the nest yourself ASAP, but that’s not always the best course of action.
The best advice for removing a wasp nest is to call the pros. In most cases, it’s better to let extermination specialists handle the job.
If a nest is large or hard to reach, professional exterminators have the knowledge and experience to take care of it. There’s no need to put yourself at risk when experts are a phone call away.
If you’re allergic to wasp stings, you should never attempt to remove one on your own. Getting rid of large outdoor wasp colonies can be especially difficult to DIY.
For the best and safest results, call a reputable pest control company. They can take the correct steps to remove existing wasps and stop new colonies from forming again.
How to Get Rid of a Wasp Nest
Are you hearing buzzing or seeing wasp nests around your home or property? If so, you’ll want to act fast to get rid of them. Although there are many tactics for how to get rid of a wasp nest on your own, nothing beats calling in the pros to handle the job.
At All “U” Need Pest Control, we offer superior pest control services with a personal touch. Since 2003, we’ve provided family and pet-friendly pest control services to Florida residents.
Connect with us today to discuss your pest control needs.