Signs of different wasp nests

If you are experiencing high numbers of wasps (yellow jackets, paper wasps) in your home or garden, there is likely to be a nest nearby, either on your property, in your garden or very close by.

A mature yellow jacket nest in summer can contain thousands of wasps. It is best to treat a nest earlier in the year before numbers increase and the wasps become more aggressive. This will help to reduce the threat of a wasp sting, which can be very painful and even cause an allergic reaction.

Ehrlich Pest Control advises against utilizing do-it-yourself methods to remove wasps and their nests, as they can be very dangerous. Our highly-trained Technicians are best equipped to get rid of the problem. Our Ehrlich Technicians will first identify the type of wasp to best formulate a plan for removal. When it comes to treatment, our Technicians take great caution in removing the wasp nest, ensuring safety for all parties involved.

Identifying a wasp or hornet nest

Below are several examples of different types of nests you might encounter. They will vary in size, shape, color, material, and location, but it's important to have an idea of what you're seeing to take the most appropriate action to remove.

When to remove a wasp nest

As a rule, it’s best to avoid bee, wasp, or hornet nests of all kinds. Even if the nest appears empty, there could still be lingering stinging insects inside. Some species are more aggressive than others, and it’s hard to know when or why they’ll swarm or sting. When their nests are in high-traffic areas, bees and wasps could be easily threatened and driven to defend their nest at all costs. Nests are even more dangerous in the late summer and fall, as populations outgrow the nests and resources begin to dwindle.

How big can a wasp nest be?

At first, a wasp nest will start off very small.

• When a Queen wasp starts to build a nest in spring it is usually about the size of a walnut or golf ball.
• As summer progresses the nest will grow rapidly in size, as the number of wasps increase. A nest can become the size of a basketball, or even bigger in some cases.

Find out how you can help to deter wasps and prevent nests on your property.

Locating nests

The best way to manage wasps and a wasp nest is to be able to identify and locate the nest.

• A wasp nest is made from chewed wood that gives them their distinctive papery walls, with the exception of mud daubers that use clay or mud.
• Queen wasps build small nests in the spring and lay the first batch of eggs. These quickly develop into workers that soon take over nest building activities for the remainder of the season
• By mid summer, wasp nests can reach considerable size. Some nests can be the size of basketballs or even larger!
• To locate the nest, watch the flight path of returning wasps. If the nest is near the home, keep nearby windows closed. If you suspect the nest is in your attic or in a wall it is then almost always best to call a professional exterminator.
• Common sites for a wasp or hornet nest include under the roof eaves, behind shutters or in garden sheds.

Worried about a wasp or hornet nest?

You should not attempt to treat a nest. If you disturb a nest, you may provoke the wasps inside to attack and sting you as a form of defense.

At Ehrlich, we offer a professional wasp nest treatment service to protect you from harmful stings by eliminating the nest.

• Qualified professionals - All our wasp control Technicians are fully trained and equipped with all necessary safety gear to complete the treatment quickly and safely.
• Safe treatments - Our expert Technicians follow strict guidelines to ensure you and your family is safe from harm during treatment.
• Nest removal - We can also arrange for the removal of a nest (at a later date; at least 48 hours after treatment to allow for scout wasps to return and be killed) to reduce the risk of a secondary infestation.

The dangers of DIY wasp nest removal

Even if the wasp or hornet nest is small, it’s never smart to try to get rid of them yourself. As mentioned previously, nests are likely to contain more stinging insects than you think, which can be very dangerous. It’s recommended to enlist the help of a wasp exterminator whenever you need a nest bigger than the size of a fist removed. Safe wasp and hornet nest removal require the expertise and precision of a specialist, which is why you should always call your local experts.

Wasp nest removal

When a wasp nest is removed, wasps will sense a threat and can show aggression, so they may sting you in an attempt to guard the nest and young wasps. For wasps to be eliminated, the nest does not need to be removed, but the nest and the wasps need to be treated.

To lessen the risk of being stung, schedule a wasp nest treatment with Ehrlich. Our Technicians will get rid of the wasps and help you stay protected from them. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for us to inspect your wasp issue.

Contact Ehrlich at 800-837-5520 for further information on how to get rid of wasps (yellow jackets) and hornets or to arrange for a visit by a pest specialist.