How to safely deal with wasps and hornets near the home?
Covers nest identification (paper wasps, yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets, European hornets), safe DIY removal timing, professional removal, prevention strategies, allergic reaction considerations, and when to leave nests alone. Based on university extension entomology recommendations.
- Spray nests at dusk with pressurized wasp killer4
Pressurized wasp sprays deliver insecticide from a safe distance and kill on contact. Treating at dusk ensures most colony members are inside the nest. Early spring nests (golf-ball size) are the easiest and safest to treat before colonies reach peak size in summer.
📌 diy2/8/2026, 6:17:35 AM
🛠️ Pressurized wasp/hornet spray (15-20 ft range), protective clothing
- Never use gasoline, fire, or flooding on nests5
Do not pour gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquids on wasp or yellow jacket nests. Do not attempt to burn nests. Do not flood ground nests with a garden hose. These methods are dangerous, ineffective, and can cause serious injury or property damage.
📌 best practice2/9/2026, 5:06:08 AM
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- Know anaphylaxis signs and keep an EpiPen ready5
If anyone in your household has had a systemic allergic reaction to wasp stings (hives beyond the sting site, throat swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness), get an allergy evaluation and carry a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) at all times during wasp season.
📌 best practice2/9/2026, 5:06:02 AM
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- Remove food attractants (trash, fruit, pet food)4
Keep outdoor trash cans tightly sealed with spring-loaded or locking lids. Pick up fallen fruit from trees promptly. Bring pet food bowls inside after feeding. Clean up sugary drink spills at outdoor dining areas immediately.
📌 best practice2/9/2026, 5:05:56 AM
🛠️ Sealed trash cans
- Install decoy nests to deter new colonies3
Hang fake wasp nests (paper or commercial decoys like Waspinator) under eaves and porch ceilings in early spring. Place them where wasps have nested in previous years. One decoy per area, hung before April.
📌 diy2/9/2026, 5:05:50 AM
🛠️ Commercial decoy nest or brown paper bag, string or hook
- Seal entry points to prevent nesting in walls5
Wasps nest inside wall voids and attics when they find easy access points. Sealing entry points in the off-season forces queens to nest elsewhere. This is a permanent fix rather than a yearly spray.
📌 best practice2/9/2026, 5:05:43 AM
🛠️ Caulk, steel wool, fine mesh screen, caulk gun
- Hire a professional for large or hidden nests5
Call a licensed pest control professional for nests that are large (bigger than a softball), located inside wall voids, in attics, or underground near foundations. Expect to pay $100-$300 depending on location and accessibility.
📌 commercial2/9/2026, 5:05:38 AM
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- Apply insecticide dust to ground-nesting yellow jackets4
Dust formulations cling to wasp bodies and are carried deep into the nest. The colony typically dies within 1-2 days as workers distribute the insecticide through contact.
📌 diy2/9/2026, 5:05:32 AM
🛠️ Permethrin or carbaryl insecticide dust, hand duster, protective clothing
- Remove small paper wasp nests in early spring4
Early-season nests have only the queen and a handful of workers. Removing them now prevents a colony of 200+ wasps by midsummer. No chemicals needed at this stage.
📌 diy2/9/2026, 5:05:24 AM
🛠️ Long stick or putty knife, gloves, sealed bag
- Assess whether nest removal is actually necessary5
Before taking action, determine if the nest actually poses a risk. Solitary wasps and paper wasps nesting away from high-traffic areas are beneficial predators that eat garden pests. Only nests near doorways, play areas, or allergy-prone household members require removal.
📌 best practice2/9/2026, 5:05:19 AM
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