Repelling Wasps & Bees Around a House

Wasps and bees may attach nests or hives to the interior and exterior of homes and surrounding structures.

Identifying the type of wasps or bees around your home and locating their nests are the initial steps for eradicating them. Repellents applied to skin and sprayed around areas where humans congregate briefly discourages bees and wasps, but effective control requires locating their hives or nests and eradicating nesting colonies.

Things You'll Need

• Insecticides in aerosol, dust or liquid form
• Extra strength trash bags
• Water
• Dishwashing or laundry detergent
• Covered trash cans and food serving containers
• Bee and wasp traps

Instructions

1. Identify the type of bee or wasp disturbing your home or yard, which will assist with locating hives and nests. Paper wasps build single nests resembling inverted umbrellas. These nests are gray and hang from horizontal surfaces such as eaves and railings. Hornets build several small nests and cover all of them with a protective layer.

2. Locate the bee hive or wasps' nest. Watch for bees and wasps swarming around a particular area or entering and exiting holes or crevices within trees or buildings. Inspect your yard for small holes and burrows occupied by yellowjackets.

3. Spray wasp and hornet spray into the entrance of the hole, nest or hive in the late evening. Repeat every third night until no sign of insect activity is detected near the nest. If you wish to use a less toxic method, surround the nest with an extra strength garbage bag. Cut the nest from its location, and let it fall into the bag. Seal the bag immediately . Freeze the sealed bag containing the nest. Pour a solution of dish detergent and water or insecticidal dust down holes where you've observed the bees or wasps.

4. Apply insect repellent and place citronella candles throughout outdoor entertaining areas. Serve outdoor meals in covered dishes. Provide covered trash cans and encourage guests and children to promptly dispose of drinking cups, soda cans, ice cream sticks and uneaten fruit that attracts bees and wasps. Ask guests to cover food and drinks before eating and during breaks. Promptly remove leftovers, plates, glasses and utensils after eating.

Tips & Warnings

• Hanging bee and wasp traps may help control infestations near your patio, but they will not control high populations of bees and wasps during late summer and early fall.

• Use a dry, empty dish detergent bottle for propelling insecticide dust into wasps' nests or into attics and between walls where bees and wasps are nesting.

• Avoid using perfume, cologne and scented personal care products.

• Wear pale or pastel colors when outdoors near bees and wasps.

• Read all directions and package inserts before using insecticides. Use insecticides exactly as recommended. Verify that any product you're using is intended for controlling bees and wasps.

• Do not attempt spraying or removing bee hives or wasp nests during daylight hours. Bees and wasps become aggressive and swarm when threatened.

• Insecticides are toxic and can be lethal to pets and wildlife. Handle toxic materials carefully and keep them away from kids and animals. Avoid using toxic insecticides near food preparation and dining areas.

References

• University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension: Wasp and Bee Control

Resources

• University of California Davis--Entomology: Bee and Wasp Repellent