Having a wasp problem can put a damper on summer activities. As a result, many homeowners ask us for advice on the best wasp control methods.
If you’re noticing lots of activity with wasps around your home you’ll want to take care of them sooner rather than later. If noticed early on, wasp control is
something you can handle yourself. However, if you wait until worker wasps have reached adulthood, and there’s lots of activity with wasps coming and going from their nest, you’ll want to proceed with caution and call in a professional.
Don’t Tempt Wasps
Sometimes homeowners unwittingly invite wasps to our homes by leaving food remnants, dirty paper plates and cups, and empty bottles and cans in open trash bins. Wasps are enticed by food and drink, especially if it’s sweet. By keeping food covered, and putting a tight lid on your trash bins, you’re removing temptation from around your home and the wasps will go back to looking for insects to satisfy them. A nest filled with wasps will eat thousands of mosquitoes in a season, so be smart about consuming food and drink outside, and the wasps will do what they are born to do.
Know When to Act
Early Spring is the best time to remove a wasp’s nest because there’s not much activity. The queen is just starting to lay her eggs and the nest is still small enough to remove without incident. Once workers reach adulthood, they’re going to defend their queen in an aggressive manner and perceive anyone who approaches their nest as a threat. Unlike bees a single wasp can sting multiple times so make sure to be careful when treating wasp nests.
If you’re removing the nest on your own, wait until night fall. Wasps are less active after the sun goes down and you’ll be able to knock down the nest without incident. Wasps also become lethargic in lower temperatures so if you know you’re having a chilly night, say, under 50 degrees, you can also remove a smaller, less active nest without incident.
If the nest is large, with frequent signs of wasp activity, you’re long past the time in which an untrained homeowner can act. It’s time to ask for help.
The Best Wasp Control Methods? Hire a Professional
A pest control specialist can help prevent wasps from approaching your home from the very start of the season. If you are hiring a professional be sure to ask the right questions. Do they have bee suits? Do they have a guarantee? And most importantly can they prevent wasps from nesting on your home?
