How to Find Wasp Nests Before You Start Painting

I'm safe!

Suddenly coming across a wasp nest when you're up a ladder painting the outside of your house (or doing any home repair) isn't only alarming, it can be downright dangerous. A single wasp sting is painful enough but disturbing a whole nest and being stung repeatedly can land you in the hospital. The way to avoid this is forewarned and forearmed. Find all the nests before you go up the ladder to start working and eliminate them.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cans of long-distance-shot foaming wasp killer spray
• Long pole
• Hose and power nozzle
• Safe, closed-toe shoes

1. Often you can see where wasp nests are merely by their presence. Early morning or dusk, when it's cooler and most are back in the nest, arm yourself with cans of wasp killer spray that zaps the nest and the wasps from about 20 feet away. Follow the directions on the can and zap as many as possible.

2. Know where likely locations for nests are: behind shutters, inside light fixtures, inside gutters and downspouts, high up in the eaves and soffits, under roof vents, inside dryer vents, under steps and decking, inside chimneys.

3. Using either a long pole or a stream of water, go around your house in the morning and bang or soak everywhere you think a likely spot for a nest. You are trying to agitate the wasps and make then come out. This is how you will best find the nests.

4. Follow the direction on the cans and use as many as necessary to kill the wasps. It is best to do this within a day or two of beginning painting. If you wait too long, the survivors will start to rebuild in the same areas.

5. If you need to go up a ladder to zap a nest, keep the ladder well to the side so they don't drop on your head. The foaming spray is heavier and they are more likely to fall straight down.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear closed-toed shoes because sprayed wasps will fall to the ground and crawl around where they will sting anything they can.

• I have found that things like WD40, carburetor and oven cleaner are very effective, but I cannot vouch for how they may impact your paint job. It's best to use products specifically for killing the pests.

• Observe all ladder safety rules. Follow the directions printed on the side of the ladder!

• Keep pets and children out of the area.

• Be careful when removing the nest after you have killed it because some wasps may still be hanging around. Use a long pole or broom.