
When you know which species you’re dealing with, you can maximize your odds of victory.

The best way to get rid of wasps is to know your enemy as well as possible. Step 3: Identify the type of stinging insects you’re dealing with. Tail the wasps until they lead you back to their nest.

Their flight patterns should show them going to and from one location. If the location of the nest isn’t obvious, observe the wasps flying around your yard. Alternatively, simply walk around your property, checking all those snug, out-of-the-way hiding places that wasps are known to haunt-roof eaves and rafters, wall cavities, crawl spaces, railings, fence posts, and tree branches. Knowing your enemy enables you to narrow the search range so you can find the nest more quickly. Some wasps prefer building their nests in trees, while others tend to build theirs in man-made structures. First, if you are able to distinguish the species of wasp that’s been hanging around your property (see below), you can then research its nesting habits. There are at least two strategies, one more sophisticated than the other. If you haven’t done so already, the first step in getting rid of wasps is to locate the wasp nest. Don’t forget to tuck your pants into your socks! In short, cover up as much skin as possible. Put on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt under a thick jacket, gloves, socks and shoes, and a hat paired with a bandana to cover your face. Wasps have long, straight stingers that can go right through lightweight clothing such as T-shirts, so dress in layers with clothes made of tightly woven fabric. No, it’s not necessary to go out and buy a beekeeper’s suit, but it is prudent to cover up well. That’s why it’s only common sense to wear full protective gear and take all the precautions you can. To make matters worse, wasps release pheromones when they sting that alert other wasps in the area to the threat, so expect to face the wrath of any wasps in the vicinity as well as those in the nest.

Wasps, unlike bees, do not lose their stinger when they sting, which means they can sting over and over again.Īlso, because they’re much more aggressive than bees, don’t expect wasps to let you stroll up to the nest unchallenged. It’s important to know what you’re up against when preparing for wasp removal.
