How to Remove Wasp Nests

If you need to remove a wasp nest, you must use caution.

The first thing you should do is verify the type of wasp you are dealing with, to make sure they can be removed from the area. Determine if the type of removal method you want to use will work for the type of wasp and area you are working on. Commercial wasp and hornet sprays are very effective in the removal of wasps. If you decide to use a spray to remove the wasps, make sure you read the instructions carefully, before going near the wasp nest.

Things You'll Need

• Protective clothing
• Wasp spray
• Long stick
• Broom
• Plastic bag

Instructions

1. Prepare to spray the nest in the late hours of the evening. Wasps tend to go to the nest in the evening, when the temperature starts to cool off. You should use this time to treat the nest as there will be more opportunity to kill more of the unwanted pests than when they are all off, doing their daily work, and the nest is empty. Just removing the nest will not rid you of the problem, they will rebuild if they are still alive.

2. Make sure you have an escape route if you are suddenly swarmed by the wasps. Take cover in the house or garage and make sure the door is open and accessible.

3. Put on long sleeves and long pants, cover your head and hands, and use eye protection. Cover as much skin as possible to make sure your body is protected from the wasp and the spray.

4. Keep everyone away from the area before starting to spray. The wasps will be mad and will attempt to sting anything around them. Children and animals should be completely out of the way.

5. Position yourself close enough to the nest so that the spray can make contact, following the directions on the label. Wasp sprays have a long-distance stream. These are great because you can spray from as far as 20 feet away from the nest. Never stand directly under the nest.

6. Leave the area and let the poison do its work after you have sprayed the wasp nest thoroughly. Leave the nest alone for a day. This allows all the wasps to die.

7. Use a stick or broom to gently push the nest. If there are any live wasps inside, they will fly out of the nest at this point, so make sure you have your clear escape path and any innocent potential victims out of harm's way. Once the nest is on the ground, use your broom and brush it into a plastic bag where it can be tightly tied and discarded.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind some sprays have special instructions for removing the nest after it has been sprayed with the poison. If you are using a poison that is harmful to the environment make sure you follow these instructions.

• If you are allergic to wasp stings, you should not attempt this, and instead contact a professional exterminator.

• Wasps can be very dangerous, so use extreme caution.

References

• University of Kentucky College of Agriculture; Controlling Wasps, Hornets and Yellowjackets; Michael F. Potter
• University of Minnesota Extension; Wasp and Bee Control; Jeffrey Hahn; et al.