How you can deal with wasp nests

With summer not too far away from us, the time has come for all creatures great and small to come out of hiding – much to the dismay of many of us. When the heat is out, so are the creepy crawlies, and it is not uncommon for wasp nests to be a recurring issue for many households.

Removing wasp nests on your own can be a very dangerous task, which is why in this article, we provide you with a quick guide on dealing with wasp nests. Be sure to read this thoroughly before taking action, to avoid you any unnecessary physical and financial costs.

Get the professionals in

pest controller on ladder removes wasp nest under roof tiles
Photo: Ahavelaar, BS

First thing’s first – when it comes to dealing with wasp nests, we highly recommend you enlist the help of professional pest controllers. If you can afford to do so, hiring a professional is your best bet when it comes to safely and quickly removing the nest from your home or surroundings.

Pest controllers know exactly what they are doing, and will get the job done quickly, efficiently, and most of all, safely! This is by far our top recommendation, but for those who are adamant on a DIY or simply cannot afford pest control services, the following pointers may come in handy.

Water that wasp nest

Water that wasp nest
Photo: Jcbeni, Pixabay

The first option should you choose to get rid of a wasp nest on your own is by using water. As with any DIY fix, always ensure that you have all your safety precautions set in place to avoid causing any harm to yourself. Some of these precautions include having tools that may assist you in the small chance something goes awry.

It is also advised that you ensure you are not allergic to wasp stings by visiting a doctor for an allergy test prior. Depending on the location of the nest, it is possible to drown a free hanging nest into a bucket of water. You will have to place a cloth bag over the nest, tightly secure it with a piece of string, then dump the bag into your bucket of water.

Leave the bag in this water for at least 12 hours, and all the wasps should have drowned by then. Keep in mind that this method will require you to come into close contact with the little critters, so safety is of utmost importance here.

Pesticides

Photo of a chemical sprayer sitting in tall grass.
Photo: Jamesbcd, BS

Another way to get rid of a wasp nest is to head down to your local DIY store and purchase some pesticides made specifically for wasps. Pesticides made for ants or other smaller insects may not be strong enough, so ensure that you have the exact tools for the job.

Again, ensuring you are wearing safe and appropriate clothing, get as close to the nest as you possibly can and spray the bottom of the nest with your pesticide.

Immediately get away from the nest and allow the spray to do its thing for at least the next 12 hours or so. After 12 hours, if you still notice some live wasps in or around the nest, repeat this process once again. Once all the wasps are dead, it is now safe to knock the nest down. Once knocked, drench the nest in more pesticide and dispose of immediately!

Dishwashing soap

Young housewife with pretty attractive look, chooses household products or detergent for cleaning house in supermarket in washing agent department. Woman holds bottle with washer, reads instruction
Photo: Sementsova Lesia, BS

Another option you can look into if you’re not too keen on the idea of toxic pesticides is to use dish soap. Dishwashing soap is a great way of eliminating a wasp problem as it coats the wings of wasps, rendering them unable to fly and eventually drowning them. You can use a simple soap solution in a water hose and direct a stream of soapy water into the opening of the nest for about 20 seconds.

You may need to repeat this process a few times to ensure that all the wasps have perished, so play this by ear. It will all depend on the size of the nest and how many wasps are in it, so each case will vary slightly.

Prevention is the key

One wasp at it's nets at the side of a house
Photo: Mirror-Images, BS

Last but not least, once you have eliminated the wasp nest from your home, the time has come to ensure that you prevent them from returning. You can do this by ensuring that any holes or gaps in your home are filled in; blocking off any entry point for new wasps to gain access into your home.

Pay attention to unsealed vents and cracks around door frames or windows. Also ensure that you seal your rubbish bins and keep all your rubbish tied up, as the scent of food can often attract wasps as well.

Mike Smith
Mike Smith
Executive Editor at Best in Australia. Mike has spent over a decade covering news related to business leaders and entrepreneurs around Australia and across the world. You can contact Mike here.
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