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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
Depending on the species, wasps and hornets build nests of varying shapes and sizes. Their nests are often constructed in sheltered locations such as attics, under eaves, or even underground. Most nests are made of chewed wood pulp, giving them a distinctive papery appearance. Worker wasps play an essential role in building and maintaining these nests, which can grow substantially over time.
If you notice wasps or hornets frequently flying around a specific area of your property, you may have a nest nearby. Look for structures that resemble paper or mud, particularly in shaded or protected areas. Wasps can be especially aggressive near their nests, so exercise caution when inspecting your property.
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 them.
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Paper wasp nests
Paper wasps are among the most recognizable species, thanks to their umbrella-shaped nests. These nests are typically attached to exposed surfaces, such as eaves, porch ceilings, or tree branches. Made from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva, their nests are fragile and lightweight but can house dozens of wasps.
Should I leave a paper wasp nest alone?
Deciding whether to leave a paper wasp nest alone depends on its location. Paper wasps are relatively non-aggressive unless they perceive a threat to their nest. If the nest is in an area with minimal human activity, such as a remote corner of your yard, you may choose to leave it undisturbed. However, if the nest is close to doorways, patios, or high-traffic areas where wasps might forage for food, it’s best to remove it to avoid accidental stings.
Yellow jacket nests
Yellow jackets are notorious for their aggressive behavior and their ability to build large, hidden nests. While many yellow jackets create underground nests, others may build in wall voids, attics, or dense shrubs. These nests can house hundreds or even thousands of yellow jackets, making them particularly dangerous when disturbed.
Where do yellow jackets build their nests?
Yellow jackets build nests that are surrounded by a papery covering, and are commonly found within wall voids or cavities in the ground. The interior of the nest can contain up to 100 tiers of cells. Yellow jackets can also nest underground, sometimes with thousands of members, but often build nests in hollow trees and under porches. If you notice a swarm of yellow jackets near a particular area, it’s likely there’s a nest nearby. Identifying and addressing the nest early can prevent a potentially hazardous infestation.
Bald-faced European hornet nests
Bald-faced hornets build nests that are covered in a papery shell and European hornets build their nests in natural cavities like tree stumps or in cavities within buildings. They consist of chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva, can grow larger than a football, and are usually at least three feet off the ground. Bald-faced hornets are highly territorial and can become aggressive if their nest is threatened.
Should I destroy a bald-faced hornet nest?
Destroying a bald-faced hornet nest is not recommended without professional assistance. These hornets are extremely defensive and will swarm aggressively if they sense danger. Attempting to remove the nest on your own can result in multiple stings, which may be dangerous, especially if you have an allergic reaction. To ensure your safety, contact a pest control professional who has the proper tools and expertise to handle the situation.
Mud dauber nests
Mud daubers construct nests using mud or clay. The nests are small, tubular mud chutes usually built either in existing cracks or crevices in masonry, stone, or timber around homes, sheds, and garages. They are small and tubular in size, often looking like organ pipes. They're built by female wasps.
Unlike other wasps, mud daubers are not aggressive and typically pose minimal risk to humans.
Are mud daubers good to have around?
Mud daubers are generally considered beneficial insects. They play a role in controlling spider populations as they hunt and paralyze spiders to feed their larvae. Mud daubers rarely sting humans and are not territorial, making them a low-risk presence in most areas. Unless their nests are located in a high-traffic area, it’s often best to leave them alone.
What Is inside a mud dauber nest?
Inside a mud dauber nest, you’ll find carefully arranged chambers filled with paralyzed spiders. These spiders serve as a food source for the mud dauber’s developing larvae. The wasp lays an egg in each chamber, ensuring that its offspring have a fresh supply of food when they hatch. While their nests may look unsightly, mud daubers do not pose the same threat as other wasps, and their nests are often harmless.
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 wasp and hornet 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 the necessary safety gear to complete the treatment quickly and safely.
- Safe treatments - Our expert technicians follow strict guidelines to ensure you and your family are safe from harm during treatment.
- Nest removal - During our visit, we treat and remove the nest, applying a residual insecticide to prevent returning wasps and reduce the risk of re-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.
Frequently asked questions
Should I remove a wasp nest or leave it?
Whether to remove a wasp nest depends on its location and the species involved. If the nest is in a low-traffic area and belongs to non-aggressive wasps like mud daubers or paper wasps, it may be safe to leave it alone. These wasps can help by controlling other pests as they forage.
However, removal is recommended to prevent potential stings if the nest is near an entryway, playground, or another high-traffic area. Yellow jackets, for example, are highly aggressive and will defend their hive vigorously. Always contact a trained professional to deal with the nest safely.
What should you not do to a wasp nest?
When dealing with a wasp nest, there are several actions to avoid:
- Avoid boiling water: While it may seem like a quick fix, boiling water rarely kills all wasps and can trigger an aggressive swarm.
- Don’t knock it down: Destroying the nest won't eliminate the wasps. They will often rebuild in the same area.
- Never approach without protection: Without proper protective gear, disturbing a nest can lead to painful stings, especially if the wasps swarm.
- Don’t ignore nests in busy areas: Leaving a nest near high-traffic zones like attics or porches increases the risk of dangerous encounters.
Instead, opt for Ehrlich professional wasp control services to handle the nest safely and effectively.
Does knocking down a wasp nest get rid of them?
Knocking down a wasp nest doesn’t guarantee the wasps will leave. Worker wasps and the queen often remain nearby and may rebuild the hive in the same nesting site. Disrupting the nest can provoke aggressive behavior, causing the wasps to attack.
To truly get rid of a wasp nest, you need to eliminate the wasps and prevent them from returning. This often involves using professional traps and sprays. If you’re dealing with a wasp nest, especially one built by aggressive species like yellow jackets, it’s best to contact our expert wasp control technicians.