How To Get Rid Of A Wasp Nest – And Live To Talk About It
Most homeowners and people in general would agree that wasps are some of the scariest bugs and pests they have dealt with. Wasps can easily build nests in your walls, roof, on your home’s siding or outdoor porch areas and when they build those nests, it’s not likely they want to share that space or protect you from other, more dangerous bugs. They are only looking out for number one; and that means you should call the pest control experts like us here at MasterGuard if you think you have a serious infestation, because their stings are nothing to mess around with!
But if you are lucky and happen to catch a nest that’s smaller in size or hasn’t fully developed, knowing how to get rid of a wasp nest is something you should take in account before trying to take out that nest all by yourself. The last thing anyone wants is for people to get hurt by a wasps’ stinging attack, so please try these steps only if you believe the nest is small and still developing. If it’s a big nest and your gut tells you it seems too dangerous, you’re probably right and should call your local MasterGuard branch. It is much better to be safe than sorry in these situations.
Get Rid Of A Wasp Nest By Learning About A Wasps Nature
An article by Michigan State University’s Extension is subtitled: “If you’re brave, quick and slightly off your rocker, you might be able to kill off a wasp nest and live to talk about it.” While it sounds ominous, the aptly named piece is correct in focusing on the speed of your at-home spray delivery while trying to get rid of any wasps, and comes with that warning for a reason. Wasp nests are dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing; especially if the nest is larger than you think. The bigger the nest, the bigger the wasp population; and that could mean the difference of a dozen or hundreds of wasps zipping around, always at the ready for battle.
The eastern yellow jacket, which is the name of the common wasp part of the family Vespidae that we see here in the US, has a built-in self-defense system that makes killing or getting rid of them a major pain for most of us. Michigan State experts say wasps have a strong instinct to attack anyone or anything that could harm their nests by stinging the attacker over and over again.
The good news is wasps live a “solitary lifestyle”, meaning they don’t go out of their way to cause us problems. Officials say yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets and paper wasps are social insects that live in large colonies, very similar to bees. They say wasps can build their nests in or on nearby trees, as well as inside walls and attics. In fact, wasps are so dedicated to building up their colonies and keeping the nest safe, that the worker wasps become overly protective and aggressive toward anyone or anything they feel could even pose a threat.
Safety First And Foremost
The Extension says if you believe a wasp nest may be near your roof or high above your home: do not try to spray while standing on a ladder. If you’re high above your home like that, and need to take your time getting down or away from the area, that could be a very painful mistake. Wasps are quick to assemble an army if they feel their home is threatened; that means you on the ladder have only a few seconds to get away safely, and that could be dangerous.
Get Out The Long Range Guns And Plan Accordingly
Michigan State experts say common wasps abandon their nests in the fall; that’s when officials say the workers die due to starvation and cold weather, and the queens look for a warm hiding spot to stay in during the winter. Take that time to do a good at-home inspection; if you notice an abandoned nest, note where you found it and how big it is. While the Extension says wasps don’t tend to move back into an old nest when the spring and summertime rolls around, they say you can use that time to do preventative spraying so they won’t come back to the area when the weather gets warmer.
So if you see a nest in your home that you think is occupied with wasps right now, take advantage of some wasp sprays that have an extended reach. Some allow you to stand 15 to 20 feet away, and the experts say the farther the better when spraying. Larger nests of yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets are made and protected by a paper-mache like material, making it harder for you to kill the wasps inside. When you spray in those situations, be prepared to run! Paper wasp nests, however, are not protected by that material. The Extension says their so-called “brood cells” and workers are exposed and unsuspecting of a surprise attack. All you have to do is point and shoot the spray at that safe distance.
Experts at the Extension say you should take time beforehand to plan an escape route if you want to take care of spraying to get rid of a wasp nest yourself. If this sounds like too much work and too dangerous: trust your gut! Wasps are not the kind of pest to mess around with, and will attack you if you threaten their home. That’s why it’s always suggested you call your local MasterGuard branch first before you try to take the nest out yourself.
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