Even if you have nothing against wildlife, you are not going to like having a wasp nest in your neighborhood. Not only are wasps annoying and irritating, but they can also be dangerous if they sting, while wasp’s nest can damage the paneling of your house. So, let’s tackle the problem of how to get rid of wasp nest in roof eaves right now.
Should I Remove Wasp Nests Myself?
In the summer, you so want to be outdoors longer, enjoying your favorite gardening activities. But it’s also the season for activity of bees, wasps and other insects. And unfortunately, about 5% of U.S. residents are allergic to stinging insects, and that number tends to grow.
If you find yourself in unpleasant proximity to a wasp’s nest, you shouldn’t wait until someone in the household is stung. You always have the option of hiring a pest control service, but thanks to this guide, you’re more likely to handle it on your own.
DIY removing wasp nests: Think twice if
The first thing you should do is to identify if it is a wasp. Take a picture of the nest and the bugs and ask Google image what it is. If you encounter aggressive yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets, it’s best to seek professional help. If they are paper wasps, it is most likely a DIY task.
The second factor to think about is whether you have had previous allergic reactions to bee or other bug stings. Anaphylaxis may require immediate emergency treatment, so if you are particularly sensitive to insect venom, don’t risk removing a wasp nest yourself.
The third thing to consider is the location of the nest. If it’s too high or hard to reach it may be worth calling a pest control service. Sometimes wasp nests are located in such inconvenient places on the roof that even the professionals have a hard time.
Finally, carefully assess whether you have everything you need to remove a wasp nest on hand. Pay special attention to wear protective clothing, but more on that later.
Well, if everything is clear on all the points, then you are ready to tackle wasp nest removal on your own. Choose the best way for you to get rid of wasp nesting under your roof eaves.
To Get Rid of Wasp Nest: Preparing
Roof eaves, angles, and overhangs are favorite nesting sites for paper wasps. Such a paper wasp nest looks like a round roll in gray or brownish color. Made of pieces of wood and bark, it is quite fragile and easily damaged by water. This is why wasps choose the roof eaves for their nests to shelter from the rains.
Newly built nests may be open or hemisphere-shaped for now. A large old nest may have up to 10,000 worker wasps inside, depending on the species. But even against such a formidable force, there are different methods of how to safely remove a wasp nest.
Safety precautions and prevention
Even if you have tolerated bee or wasp stings in the past, wear proper PPE, including a bee suit or other protective clothing, boots, long pants, and long sleeves, when removing a wasp nest. Make sure your clothes are tucked in so no wasp can get under your jacket or pants. Naturally, use gloves and a face mask.
You will also need a flashlight, and most conveniently one that attaches somewhere nearby, leaving your hands free. Since hard-to-reach attics and roof eaves are the wasps’ favorite places for nesting, you are to hold on to the ladder with one hand and carry the selected wasp repellent with the other.
Note: Holding a flashlight in your hand or attaching it to your clothing is a bad idea because wasps will fly to the light in the dark. Being illuminated and accessible to a swarm is definitely not in your plans.
Remember that wasps are easily agitated, and if something went wrong on the first try, have an escape plan. It is better to try the next night than to be stung.
Getting Rid of Wasp Nests: 5 Removal Methods
Get rid of the wasp nest the sooner the better. A wasp hive can double in size in a few days.
Important: The best time to remove a wasp nest is at night or early morning. Whichever method you choose, wasps sleep in the nest at night and your chances of killing all the wasps at once are maximized.
When trying to get rid of a wasp nest, don’t use excessive force to avoid damaging your home. Do not use pressure washer unless you are sure your roof siding is secure. Any damage will have to be repaired, and that will be a headache of its turn.
#1 Physical removal of the nest
Armed with a long stick, broom or other gardening tool. Knock the nest down to the ground with a precise and forceful motion, immediately crushing or trampling or it. Some outraged wasps will probably be able to break free, but they will be very few if you get rid of the nest after sunset.
If you have a helper, ask them to collect the remaining wasps with a handheld vacuum cleaner. Afterwards, shake the bag out of the vacuum cleaner and into a garbage can outside.
#2 Using commercial wasp spray
Wasp killer spray is a reliable and simple solution. Carefully follow all directions on the label when using chemicals. Wasp killer insecticides can be dangerous to all other pests, animals and humans. If indicated on the spray can, be sure to use respiratory protection.
Usually a wasp nest has a single entrance, spray into the hole as close as you can get. Don’t skimp on the spray and use as much as the manufacturer advises. The greater the distance from the nest when applying, the more spray will be wasted.
#3 Water as wasp killer
Water the nest until it becomes soaked and falls off the roof eaves. Continue watering wasps on the ground to prevent them from flying off. Now, they are an easy target for any method of extermination.
For 100% results: Use hot water with dish soap. Soapy water practically deprives pests of the ability to breathe. If the treatment is insufficient and the wasp queen survives, the wasps are able to rebuild their house. To get rid of the pests completely, be sure to kill the swarm queen.
#4 Apply natural remedies
If you don’t want to kill wasps but only wish to get rid of them, consider natural remedies like essential oils, or vinegar for an eco-friendly alternative. Vinegar and spice solutions are unpalatable to many creatures. For example, see how to use vinegar to get rid of armadillos.
Apply vinegar spray under the roof and surrounding area to make your house less attractive to all kinds of bees and wasps at once. Repellent plants can also prevent wasps from coming in. Here’s a list of wasp repelling plants so you can choose the right ones for your climate:
| mint and its varieties | geraniums |
| wormwood | lemongrass |
| thyme | basil |
| marigolds | pennyroyal |
| eucalyptus | citronella |
#5 Professional treatment for wasp nests
An Oklahoma State University study highlights which species are worth contacting for professional handle. Call a pest control company if you have a hornet nest, a yellow jacket nest, or recurring wasp issues on your property. Seek help if you are prone to allergies regardless of the type of stings.
While professionals are on the road, don’t attract wasps with picnics or leftover food, fallen fruit or garbage. To keep from being stung, do not wave your arms or make sudden movements near wasp nests. Also, avoid using sweet perfumes and other scents.
Here’s how professionals in Washington State deal when they had to battle Asian giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia), also known as “murder hornets”:
Repairing Damage to Roof Eaves
Repair any damage to your roof or eaves caused by the nest or the removal process. Seal any cracks, entry points, or holes to discourage wasps from returning. Regularly inspect and maintain your roof eaves to seal potential nesting spots.
FAQ
How to keep wasps away from eaves?
Certain plants and herbs are known to repel wasps. But you don’t have to grow them from scratch if you can take essential oils and simply spray them around your yard. For example, peppermint and eucalyptus oils work perfectly.
Will wasps return to a sprayed nest?
Unfortunately, the short answer would be yes. The surviving worker wasps will circle around, and if the swarm queen survives, it can build a new nest. The surest method is to not only spray the nest, but better yet, destroy it completely.
How to get rid of a wasp nest that you can’t see?
In such a case, the best option would be to call attic and roofing experts. They have the necessary protective clothing and the right instecticides to deal with even aggressive species like yellow jackets or hornets.
Why do wasps nest in the eaves?
Many flying insects cannot fly in the rain and seek easy access to shelter under a roof. Paper wasps are no exception, and what’s more, their nest built of paper-like material is very vulnerable to water. So attics and roof eaves are very popular places for their nesting.
In Conclusion
Once you notice suspicious wasp activity near your yard, don’t waste any time and perform a preventative treatment with natural repellents. If nesting cannot be avoided, get rid of the wasp nest in roof eaves ASAP using any method that suits your needs. Regular inspections and preventative measures will help keep wasps at bay. In the meantime, we’ll leave a video from @CharlieDIYte here so you can also see how to get rid of wasps in roof spaces also: