How to Kill a Wasp in a Wall

Wasps have been both a help and a hindrance to humanity for centuries. Wasps are highly beneficial in the aspect that they will kill and eat other insects, but many species of wasps will swarm and sting when provoked. Wasps prefer to nest in isolated, quiet places, and the walls of your home offer an ideal spot for nest building. Killing wasps inside your home can be challenging, but the safety of your family is well worth the effort.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Protective clothing
• Heavy gloves
• Goggles or face shield
• Box cutter
• Pest spray
• Trashcan with lid
• Plastic bag

How to Kill a Wasp in a Wall

1. Observe wasps inside your home carefully to determine where they are nesting. Quietly follow any wasps you see flying around, making note of their destination. Wasps will often build their nests in unused rooms, such as attics and storage rooms, so watch them closely to pinpoint the nest.

2. Dress in protective clothing before attempting to remove the nest. A beekeeper's suit is an ideal choice for wasp removal, but a heavy rubber rain suit is thick enough to prevent wasp stings. Heavy work gloves should be worn to protect your hands, and goggle or a face shield will keep wasps away from your head and neck.

3. Cut a small hole in the wall housing the wasp nest a your box cutter. The idea of cutting through a wall can be disturbing to most homeowners, but is necessary to fully eliminate your wasp problem. Make the hole just big enough to pass a flashlight through and look for the nest. Use your flashlight sparingly, as many species of wasps are attracted to light. If you've located the nest, enlarge the hole in the wall to allow you access to remove it at a later time.

4. Spray a stream of pest spray over the nest, starting at the top and working your way to the bottom. Read the label of your spray carefully, making sure that is specifically formulated for wasps and that it can shoot a projectile stream rather than a fog of poison. Replace the cut-out section of the wall and allow the nest to soak for a few hours before attempting to remove it.

5. Remove the nest from its perch, taking care to gently pull it away from the wall. Place it in a large trashcan with a lid to prevent any remaining wasps from escaping, and soak it with a final coating of wasp spray. Cover the trashcan with a tight fitting lid and leave the nest for twenty four hours to make sure both adults and larvae inside the nest have been exterminated. Dispose of the dead nest in a heavy plastic bag and throw out with your regular garbage.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you keep your area well ventilated while using the wasp spray. Many of sprays let off vapors that can be harmful if used in an enclosed area. Open the windows and place a fan in the room to dissipate the fumes while you work.
• Do not try to remove a nest if you are allergic to wasp or bee stings. Leave the nest alone and call a professional exterminator to prevent injury to yourself.

References

• Eliminating Wasps
• Controlling Wasps and Bees