How to Get Rid of Yellowjackets in Siding

A hive of yellow jackets near your home can turn yard work and outdoor recreation into highly hazardous experiences. Having these pests in the siding of your home can be even more dangerous, as they can find ways into your home and pose a threat while you eat and sleep. While yellow jackets tend to die out in the colder months, freeing us from their constant buzzing threats, nests protected by the siding of your home may continue to survive even after the weather is traditionally too cold. Removing the yellowjackets from the siding is only way to guarantee their elimination.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Insect dust
• Duster
• Bee and wasp killer
• Old rag or towel

Using Insect Dust

1. Locate the entrance through which the bees are entering your siding. Observe the bees during the afternoon, as that is the most active time of day for yellow jackets. Follow where they seem to disappear into the side of your house. If possible, mark off any entrance holes you find so that you can easily identify them later.

2. Apply a professional-grade insect dust to the entrances you found. This insect dust can be purchased over the Internet or at hardware stores; consult with a professional exterminator or an employee at the hardware store if you have any questions.

3. Dust the entrances using a duster or a homemade applicant, such as an empty bottle of Elmer's glue. Treat any cracks or crevices near the entrances as well to prevent the yellow jackets from entering through these areas. As the insects fly in and out of the nest, they will carry this dust with them, spreading to the other members of the hive and effectively eliminating the nest.

4. Check the entrances after two to three days. If you still see yellow jacket activity, reapply the dust. If the nest is large, two or three applications may be necessary to eliminate all of the yellowjackets.

Using Bee Killer

5. Purchase a bee or wasp killer from a hardware store or convenience store. General insect killers will work, but if possible, acquire a product that is specified for bees and wasps.

6. Locate the entrance through which the bees are entering your siding. Observe the bees during the afternoon, as that is the most active time of day for yellow jackets. Follow where they seem to disappear into the side of your house. If possible mark off any entrance holes you find so that you can easily identify them later.

7. Spray the entrances with an ample amount of the bee killer. Be sure to coat the sides of the entrance as well.

8. Plug the entrances with old rags or other cloths to keep the insecticide from being washed or blown away, and to keep the yellow jackets from escaping.

9. Check the entrances after two to three days. If you still see yellow jacket activity, reapply the insecticide and rags. If the nest is large, two or three applications may be necessary to eliminate all of the yellow jackets.

Tips & Warnings

• Killing the yellow jackets in your siding will temporarily solve your problem. To keep yellow jackets from returning, properly seal any entrances or holes through which the pests could enter the siding.
• Apply dust or insecticide at dusk. This will give you ample light with which to work, but the yellow jackets will be settling in for the night, lowering the chances that you will be stung while working with the chemicals.
• Read and follow all instructions and warnings on chemicals such as insecticides before using.

References

• Getting Rid of Yellow Jackets
• Controlling Yellow Jackets