Buzz Off! Effective Methods for Wasp Nest Removal

Wasp and Hornet nests are daunting and dangerous to people and pets if disturbed. The most commonly known wasps are yellow jackets and hornets. In Northern Virginia, you might also see the Bald-Faced Hornet, European Hornets, Yellow Jackets, or Paper Wasps. A wasp sting can be very painful and in some cases very harmful and potentially life-threatening. While wasps aren’t known for causing structural damage like some other pests, it’s still important to remove them from your property if they are being a nuisance or causing discomfort to you and the members of your home. You don’t have to face your fears alone! Leave your wasp nest removal to a professional. Removing a wasp or hornet's nest is very dangerous and should be left up to a skilled pest control technician with the proper safety and removal equipment. 

Understanding and Identifying Wasp Nests

Wasps are known for being highly aggressive and can sting people, prey on bees, and cause damage to crops such as apples, pears, and other fruits that they make holes in. Wasps have stingers that have venom in them and can cause a severe reaction in people who are allergic, called anaphylaxis. Wasps are subdivided into two groups: solitary wasps, which live alone, and social wasps, which live in colonies. The vast majority of wasps are solitary in habit. There are around 1000 species of social wasps, including hornets and yellow jackets. Social wasps create bee-like colonies and build nests. Solitary wasps, on the other hand, live and breed on their own.

Social wasp nests are composed of chewed plant material, usually wood, that has been mixed with saliva. The nest is made up of one or more layers of vertically stacked cells, with the openings facing downward. The nest may be discovered in tree trunks, dirt cavities, hanging from leaves, or even building eaves– depending on the species.

Yellow Jacket Nests

Yellow jacket wasp nests can be identified by their papery construction. Yellowjackets maintain their nests neatly with only one opening, unlike specific wasps that construct them with several openings. Although they may choose to nest in wood piles, these wasps normally build their nests in the ground. They ultimately want cover in a contained area. Yellowjackets may construct enormous nests with numerous distinct tiers for their chambers, even if you might only be able to see the entrance.

Paper Wasp Nests 

Considering how much they resemble inverted umbrellas, paper wasp nests are rather simple to identify by shape. In contrast to yellowjackets, paper wasps prefer to set up shop in open spaces under the eaves of homes and other structures. Even though the material is papery, the design is more open with numerous entry points. The entire nest is typically supported on a single stalk.

Mud Dauber Nests

Perhaps you can guess what sort of material “mud” daubers use to build their nests. If you guessed, mud, way to go! They build mud nests in crevices and cracks. Mud daubers like a more stable environment than yellowjackets and paper wasps. Their nests have a tubular shape, are very tiny, and have several openings. They resemble multi-tube whistles in some ways.

Bald-Faced Hornet Nests 

Bald-faced hornets create their nests out of wood pulp (literally, paper) and place them in trees and bushes. To build their nest, these wasps chew wood, combining it with carbohydrates in their saliva. Like yellowjacket nests, bald-faced hornet nests eventually feature several layers of horizontal comb that are encased in an outer envelope. Bald-faced hornet nests are frequently so high off the ground that they don't represent a major threat to humans. However if left unattended, these nests can reach at least 24 inches in length and 30 inches in diameter.

Safety Considerations

Establishing safety procedures as a top priority is crucial while dealing with wasp nests. Wasps may pose serious threats to people because of their reputation for aggression and defensiveness. Without the necessary information and safety equipment, attempting DIY nest removal might result in hazardous situations. It is important to consider the possibility of several stings, allergic responses, and property damage. When threatened, wasps can strike quickly, leaving victims with agonizing stings and the risk of life-threatening allergic reactions. In addition, removing a nest might unintentionally lead to ladder falls, especially in difficult-to-reach spots. Don't risk harm to yourself or your property. It is vital that readers put their own security and well-being first. Hiring a professional to remove a wasp nest ensures competent handling of these aggressive insects and minimizes hazards to increase the efficiency of the removal operation. By hiring professionals, people may avoid needless dangers and safely remove wasp nests from their surroundings, saving money in the long run. 

D.I.Y Wasp Nest Removal

While we don’t recommend DIY stinging insect removal as the standard, there are low-risk situations where DIY removal may be possible. For example; if the nest is small, relatively inactive, and safely accessible it can be removed by the homeowner. Understand that DIY wasp nest removal is dangerous and should not be taken lightly. Safety measures need to be taken including proper clothing, equipment, and protective measures. Remember: DIY wasp nest removal should only be done when confident and comfortable doing so. Call an exterminator if you have any doubts about your ability to safely eliminate a wasp nest.

First things first, put on protective clothing and try to cover as much of your skin as possible. Then plan a route to leave the area quickly as wasps are known to attack fast and fiercely. The best time of day to remove a nest yourself is either at night or early in the morning. Use wasp spray (or soapy water) on open-cell nests, insecticide dust on concealed nests, and bagging and drowning with hanging nests. 

Professional Wasp Nest Removal Services

There are many advantages to hiring professional wasp removal services such as expertise, experience, and adherence to safety precautions. Professionals have access to specialized equipment and insecticides that may not be available to the average consumer. Most pest control companies also offer environmentally friendly approaches. 

At Summit Pest Control, one of our pest experts will first conduct an inspection in which they will discuss the situation, plan of action, and the cost for removal. Wasps are treated using a three-part process, where first they are stunned, then a spray is applied that exterminates them, the nest is removed and then lastly a residual spray is applied to keep them from coming back. The technician will clean up and dispose of the nesting properly.

Oftentimes, these treatments require climbing up on roofs or other high points of the home or in trees. For the most part, wasp treatments are conducted outside, unless wasps have managed to make their way into your attic space or some other part of your home. During a wasp treatment, it is important to stay away from the area where the treatment is occurring, because the wasps can become agitated and potentially swarm.

Once wasps are removed from your property by a professional pest control service, it is important to maintain and upkeep your yard and home to ensure the wasps are less likely to return. Sealing cracks and crevices in the home, keeping doors and windows closed, keeping trash can lids secured, and planting strong-smelling plants (such as spearmint, thyme, or eucalyptus) are some ways to keep wasps away for some time. After one wasp treatment, you may need a follow-up treatment if you are still seeing a high population of wasps. Continuing with pest control treatments is the only way to effectively keep them away.

Wasp control and removal in Fredericksburg, Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria, VA

For complete wasp control and removal in Fredericksburg, Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria, VA areas, don't hesitate to contact us for help. Summit Pest Control is your number-one source for pest control and animal control services. Summit Pest Control offers free inspections for wasp treatments, there is no obligation to purchase services. The estimates are based on the needs and wants of the clients and it is specifically tailored to them and their unique situation.

https://www.britannica.com/animal/wasp 

https://a-z-animals.com/blog/types-of-wasps-nests-and-their-unique-features/

https://www.suburbanexterminating.com/pest-info/bees-wasps-and-hornets/bald-faced-hornet/#:~:text=Bald%2DFaced%20Hornet%20Habitat&text=These%20hornets%20build%20gray%2Dcolored,chewing%20on%20natural%20wood%20fibers. 

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-a-Wasp%27s-Nest