If you discover a wasp nest around your house, you may be wondering how to remove a wasp nest safely. First and foremost, you need to be careful and consider calling a professional. Wasps are a nuisance at best and painful at worst. They can represent a significant danger, especially if you have an allergy. Removing a wasp nest is a tricky business.
Today we will talk you through how to remove a wasp nest safely and give you some tips if you are constantly being ‘buzzed’.
How to Remove a Wasp Nest Safely
There are a few steps and precautions you can take to safely remove a wasp nest. Whether you’re at a residential or commercial location, we recommend considering calling a professional first, as trying to remove a wasp nest on your own can result in personal injury.
Here’s how to remove a wasp nest safely.
Check Your Allergies!
This step is absolutely crucial and should be the first thing you should do. A single wasp sting can be fatal in the wrong circumstances. Anaphylactic shock can happen to anyone (even if you have been stung before).
The easiest solution is to book an appointment with your doctor for an assessment. If there is a doubt, there is no doubt. It simply isn’t worth it.
If you discover you are allergic, the best course of action would be to hire a professional pest control company that offers bee and wasp control.
Identify the Species
The type of wasp you are dealing with can affect your strategy. Some wasps, such as Yellow Jackets, are extremely aggressive. Other species, such as hornets, tend to be a little more sedate. However, they can react with fury if they feel the nest is threatened.
You may come across species that you aren’t familiar with. Asian Hornets are becoming very prolific all over the globe. While normally placid, they can deliver a savage sting! There are resources available for you to assess the type of wasp you are dealing with, but you should speak to a professional if in doubt.
Protect Yourself
Let’s face it, nobody likes to be stung. If a sting can’t reach your skin, then wasps can’t harm you.
The bottom line?
Dress appropriately. Here are some great ideas to ensure you are covered (literally): –
- Cover all exposed skin
- Wear long jeans
- Wear a hoody or thick sweater and a woolen hat.
- Cover your face with a scarf
- Wear safety goggles
- Use old clothing if using pesticides
Timing?
The timing of your plan can make all of the difference for several reasons. Here’s what you need to think about: –
Time of Year
It makes sense to deal with a problem when it small, right?
Wasps typically start to build their nests around the start of spring. Because the nest is smaller, there will be fewer wasps to deal with. As the summer progresses, the queen will continue to breed. More wasps and a bigger-sized nest are harder to deal with.
If you have the option, deal with a wasp nest sooner rather than later.
Time of Day
As night falls, temperatures drop. Wasps become more lethargic at night, which gives you the advantage of surprise. Lighting is important. Bright white lights (such as a regular flashlight) may trick the wasps into thinking it is daytime. A better option is to use a red-tinted lens or bulb.
If you are an early bird, another great time to remove a wasp nest safely is in the very early morning.
Plan an Escape Route
A swarm of angry wasps can be frightening and dangerous!
If you are being overrun, you are best making a hasty retreat. It is better to plan where you are going to go before you need to.
And here is a key piece of advice.
If the wasp’s nest is elevated, do not attempt to tackle it using a ladder. It limits your options for escape, and in a moment of panic, you could fall. Broken bones and wasp stings? No, thanks!
Elevated wasp nests are best dealt with by professionals.
Methods for Dealing with a Wasp Nest
Ok, so you’re not allergic, know what type of wasp you are dealing with, have got up early, and are dressed appropriately. Here are some techniques you can try to safely remove a wasp nest.
Removing a Wasp Nest Using Pesticide
You can buy cans of pesticide over the counter in most hardware stores. This is a great way to deal with a small wasp nest. Wasp spray works by interrupting the signals between a wasps brain and its muscles.
Concentrate a 10 – 20 second stream of spray on the lower aperture of a wasp nest. It may not work instantly, but any wasp coming into contact with the residue will die over time.
This process can take repeated applications over several days.
Insecticide Dust
Dust-based insecticide such as Sevin is very effective for larger nests. The dust is deposited at the nest opening. Wasps carry the dust into the heart of the nest, poisoning the other wasps, queens, and larvae. This works well, but it may take several days for the wasps to die off.
Soapy Water Kills Wasps
Wasps, like other insects, breathe through tiny holes in their exoskeleton. These holes, called spiracles, can be easily blocked with a diluted soapy water solution. This is a good way to kill ground-based nests. It is worth noting that the water needs to contact every wasp you want to kill, so it isn’t suited for really large nests.
Removing and Soaking
If you have the means to reach the nest (and are brave enough), you can try removing the nest yourself. Quickly surround the nest with a hole-free bag, cloth or hessian is ideal, and tie it tight.
Submerge the bag containing the nest in water to drown the wasps. This method requires you to get up close and personal with the nest, which isn’t ideal.
Contact a Pest Control Professional
By far, the simplest solution is to call a professional pest control company that offers bee and wasp control services. A professional has the experience and skills needed to safely remove the wasp nest so you don’t have to risk personal injury.
