How To Get Rid Of Wasps?

Are you facing a huge wasp nest in or near your home? This article will share several natural ways to get rid of wasps from your garden and home.

Did you know that during 2000 – 2017, 1,109 deaths in the US were caused due to wasp and bee stings?

Yes, you read it right!

Some wasps can be highly dangerous, especially when they attack in numbers.

Therefore it is crucial to take all necessary steps to remove wasps from your garden and home.

However, it is important to understand that not all wasp species are aggressive and dangerous.

Let us take a look at the article to learn the different types of wasps and how to get rid of them.

 

 

Identifying The Wasp

Before learning how to get rid of wasps, you must know that there are around 30,000 discovered species of wasps.

Some are solitary wasps, and some live in wasp colonies. Some are large, while others are tiny. Let us take a look at some of the most common wasp types:

Paper wasps

Paper wasps get their name from the unique umbrella-shaped nest they build.

Since they live in colonies, the entire nest is built by worker wasps using a mixture of wood pulp and saliva.

There are many different species of paper wasps. The common ones are usually around 5/8 to 3/4 inches in length.

They have brownish bodies with yellow or red markings.

These wasps help you get rid of garden pests, but they can be irritating at picnics because they love sweets like fruit juice and cake.

They are usually not aggressive but can deliver painful stings if they feel threatened.

 

 

Yellow jacket wasps

Yellow jacket wasps look similar to bees. They have black and yellow marks on the head. The body is black with bright yellow stripes.

These wasps live in colonies and are highly aggressive toward humans.

Yellowjackets are notorious for defending their nests and stinging humans.

These insects build huge underground nests and live in colonies. They can deliver nasty stings, which can sometimes be life-threatening as well.

Adults show an average growth of 0.39-0.62 inches.

These wasps are found across various regions of the United States (16 species are found here).

Mud dauber wasps

Unlike the yellowjackets and paper wasps, mud dauber wasps are solitary species.

The female construct individual nests to lay eggs. They build small nests of mud in sheds, barns, homes, and other open structures, like bridges.

Mu dauer wasps have slender and long bodies. They can be identified by their thread-like waist. The bodies are usually black or steel blue in color, topped with some yellow marks.

Mud dauber wasp stings are rarely seen. These insects are not aggressive and will not harm you until they feel threatened.

Also, they are excellent hunters and consumers of unwanted pests like spiders.

 

 

Hornets

Hornets look a little similar to yellow jackets. However, they are much less aggressive than the latter.

The hornets have black bodies with yellow or white stripes. These stripes are comparatively more distinct than the yellow jackets.

There are around 20 different species of hornets scattered across the world, including the bald-faced hornets, Asian giant hornets, European hornets, and more.

Similar to paper wasps, hornets also use a mixture of saliva and wood pulp to build the nest. These insects are social and are found living in big colonies.

 

 

Spider wasps

Spider wasps get their name from their excellent ability to hunt spiders. There are around 300 species of them in North America.

They are huge wasps with long legs and dark black colored bodies. Sometimes they can be blue-black or brownish as well.

The wings usually have a dark shade like the body.

These insects show an average growth of ¼ to 1½ inches.

Like mud daubers, spider wasps are also solitary. These insects are not aggressive and are mostly harmless to humans.

But they can deliver painful stings if you go near them, and they perceive you as a threat.

 

 

Why are There Wasps in Your Yard?

Many factors attract wasps to your yard. It can be the food sources available nearby, shelter options, and more.

Let us take a look at the things that attract these insects:

Ideal shelter spots

In the case of social wasps, males die in the fall after mating with the queen. The queen then seeks warm and protected spots to survive the winter.

If these queens find a suitable shelter spot in your yard, they will take up that space.

They usually look at spots like crevices, cracks, and insulated walls that can protect them from the harsh cold.

Food sources available nearby

If your garden is filled with wasp prey like spiders and other pests, they will stick around.

After winter hibernation, the queen and the workers actively seek food to food to start mating soon.

They can be beneficial to naturally eliminate these problem-causing pests. But the danger of having stinging insects around your yard can be disturbing.

Also, they will most probably build a nest in your yard if there are many food options nearby.

 

 

Leftovers

Wasps are good at hunting their food, but they do not mind enjoying free meals. Especially when it is protein-filled.

If you regularly keep meat leftovers in your yard, these wasps will love to be around and enjoy the free lunch.

Keep the yard clean, and make sure to cover the food to keep these wasps away from your yard.

Sugar

Wasps actively search for sugar sources to help them survive the harsh cold in winter. Overipped fruits fallen from trees, hummingbird feeders, fruit juice, and other rich sources of sucrose are the ideal targets.

If your garden has fruit trees with overlapped fruits, these wasps will instantly get attracted.

Flowers

Other than consuming pests and leftovers, wasps are attracted to flowering plants. You can spot them flying around flowers in search of nectar.

Also, they are attracted by strong and flowery fragrances.

Getting Rid of Wasps in Your Garden

Wasp and bee stings can be dangerous and highly painful.

If you are allergic to these stings, you must take all the necessary measures to keep these insects away from your home and garden.

Here are a few tips and tricks to help to eliminate wasp populations:

Use wasp traps

Getting a wasp trap can do wonders in eliminating wasp populations and nests from your yard.

These traps use a liquid to attract the wasps. They fly into the trap where they get stuck and drown.

These traps are effective, but you must keep cleaning and replacing them as a bundle of dead wasps can accumulate in the trap with time.

An object filled with dead wasps is not a pleasing sight.

 

 

Use store-bought wasp killer sprays

Eliminating wasp nests can be tricky. If there is an active wasp nest around your home, get a wasp nest spray.

Use a hose-end sprayer to directly sprinkle the solution in the nest from a distance. Remember to wear the necessary protective gear to steer clear of wasp stings.

Keep spraying it regularly until the wasps are entirely dead.

You can also use this spray directly on emerging wasps.

If you have a wasp roaming around the yard, spray the solution directly on it.

However, since they are chemical insecticides, read the label carefully and use them following the correct instructions. You must avoid using it near food products.

Use soapy water

If you want to avoid using chemical options to get rid of these insects. You can go for a mixture of soap and water.

You can create at home using two tablespoons of dish soap and hot water. Pour this mixture carefully into a spray bottle and use it directly on the nests.

The soap solution will clog the breathing pores of the wasps and kill them.

Build homemade traps

If you cannot find wasp traps in the nearby stores, you can build one at home.

Cut the top of a large soda bottle and fill it with a few inches of fruit juice or soda. Now add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap.

Hang this trap in the garden; It will work like the wasp traps.

 

 

Treat future nest spots

Eliminating the wasps is good, but you must also ensure these insects do not return.

Try to predict the locations of future nests and spray liquid insecticides in such areas. Spots like pools, decks, patios, wooden fences, and more are ideal locations for the wasps to build nests.

Use professional help

It can be impossible to eliminate huge outdoor wasp colonies all by yourself. You might not have the right tools and protective clothing.

Therefore it is wise to call experts to deal with this situation.

Getting Rid of Wasps in the House

Having a wasp nest in your house can be terrifying. Here are a few ways of getting wasps in your home:

Inspect the entry point

To prevent the wasps from entering the premises, you keep inspecting the possible entry points. Do not keep the door and windows open throughout the day.

Also, look for tiny gaps and racks that these insects can use to enter your house.

Inspect the eaves, the space between bricks, ventilators, and the garage. If you find cracks and gaps, seal them immediately with silicone caulk.

Home remedies

Using insecticides inside your house is not a wise move. You can create a homemade wasp repellent using vinegar and sugar water.

Add two cups of apple cider vinegar to a cup of sugar water and mix them well.

Place this solution near the wasp nest. The solution will kill the wasps by attracting them to fall and drown.

Wasp sprays

If the vinegar hack is not working, you have to take drastic measures. Purchase a wasp spray and use it on the nests.

However, keep the spray away from the reach of children and food.

If you are against using the spray, call the professionals to help you with the situation.

 

 

Removing Wasp Nests

Removing individual wasps from the yard and home can be managed, but eliminating an entire wasp nest is risky, especially if it contains yellow jacket wasps.

Here are a few things to keep in mind while removing big and small wasp nests:

• Before physically approaching the nest, spray some store-bought wasp killer and let it stay for at least 24 hours. If you notice active wasps, repeat the process.
• Approach the nest only when you are certain that every insect inside is dead. If there are wasps alive, they will come out and try to sting you.
• Cover the nest with a garbage bag and carefully pull it from the wall or branch. Seal the garbage bag around the empty nest.
• Put the garbage in a trash can with a tight lid and throw it far away from your home and garden.
• If you are not confident, call pest control experts.

Preventing Wasps From Coming To Your Home

To have a wasp-free home, you must take specific steps to keep them from entering the house. Here are a few tips that can help:

• Keep inspecting the corner of the house for cracks and gaps. The tiny openings are ideal for the wasps to enter without being noticed. You must also not keep the windows and doors open all the time.
• If there are fruits in your garden, clean the overripe fallen ones regularly. These fruits are good for sucrose and can attract wasps to the garden.
• Do not leave any food leftover in the yard, especially if they are meat pieces. If you have a barbecue in the yard, clean the grill thoroughly. The leftover pieces are good protein sources for the wasps.
• Use the wasp spray on the area where these insects can build their nests. Patios, wooden fences, pools, and decks are a few ideal spots for the wasps to build nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

Wasp and bee stings are highly painful. In some cases, these stings can be life-threatening; Therefore, it is crucial to get rid of wasps from your garden and home.

Use the information in the article to identify different kinds of wasps. Take all the necessary precautions while trying to get rid of these insects.

Remember, a lack of safety equipment can put you on the receiving end of a painful sting.

If you are against using a chemical like a wasp spray, use vinegar and soap solution to make a homemade wasp repellent.

Also, if the nest is big and dangerous, seek help from pest control experts.

Thank you for reading the article.