How to Remove a Wasp Nest Safely from Your Home
Last week, while taking my dog out to do his business, I noticed some insects going in and out of the roof gutter of our house. As I investigated closer, I realized that we have a wasp’s nest. Wasps are territorial insects that are dangerous and notorious for their wild stings. They sometimes invade homes by building nesting hubs during summertime wherever possible such as the front porch, roof spaces and even underground. Below are the steps to get rid of these pests safely.
Step 1: Locate the nest.
The presence of a single or a group of wasps is a clear indication that a colony is nearby. It’s also a sign that wasp infestation is well underway. Track down their nests by following their flight trail. Be cautious to avoid catching their attention and start a major swarm attack.
Step 2: Inspect the nest.
Conduct a thorough inspection after identifying the nest. Since most nests are located in enclosed areas, it is necessary to identify where these wasps enter and exit their hubs. Be extremely careful to avoid disturbing the colony. If disturbing their nest is unavoidable, keep a pesticide spray handy to combat possible attack.
Step 3: Choose the pesticide.
Do not attempt to remove the wasp nest without preparing the pesticide first. Boric acid is a good residual spray that can eliminate wasps. Choose the best way to administer the pesticide. If the hub’s location is elevated; for example up on a roof, use a projectile type of pesticide. On the other hand, using a non-projectile type for underground wasp nests is your best bet.
Step 4: Choose the best time to remove the nest.
Removing the nest at night may be the best time to do the job. Wait two to three days after spraying. These creatures are not nocturnal, so they rest at night. However, do not use your flashlight directly into the nest so they don’t wake up. Wasps are also very aggressive during spring in time for their mating season; therefore, be very careful during this time. They decrease in numbers as fall sets in. Wasps rarely fly out during the cold weather.
Step 5: Gear up.
Cover your body from the neck down. Gear up by wearing a turtle neck top with long sleeves, a thick pair of jeans and thick gloves. Wear a face mask to shield your face from these harmful stingers. Find a friend to lend an extra hand because in most cases, you may need it. Wasp nest removal is a tricky and dangerous task that needs careful and precise administration. Arming yourself with pesticides is necessary; however, wearing the proper suit is equally essential.
Step 6: Remove the nest.
Carefully remove the wasp nest from its location by using a putty knife or scraper. Then, hose down the location with a high pressure hose. Make sure all remnants are gone and all wasps are dead, otherwise, they may rebuild their nest.
Step 7: Eradicate the wasps.
Find the queen. Wasps are very similar with bees. In the center of their colony, they are serving a queen. The queen lays the eggs in multitude. Since the queen is the heart and soul of the colony, the creature is usually at the center of the hub. A successful wasp nest removal is not complete unless you are able to find and eradicate the queen. Visit the former breeding location, armed with pesticide of course, even after the wasp nest removal, to ensure that there are no survivors and that all wasps have been totally eradicated. Dip the nest inside a bucket of water mixed with petroleum jelly. Doing so can drown the remaining survivors and the petroleum jelly would make their wings sticky so they could not fly away.
Step 8: Install preventive measures.
Place wasp traps and repellant around the house. However, you may not be keen on using pesticides or poison at home. In that case, the best alternative is to use a large bucket filled with water. Water traps and kills wasps and thwarts any possibility of wasp colonization.
Resources:
How to Eradicate Wasps
http://www.eliminatewasps.net/eradicate_wasps.php
Wasp Nest Removal
http://www.eliminatewasps.net/wasps_nest_removal.php
Wasp Nest Removal
http://housepestcontrolandtreatment.com/wasp-nest-removal/
