Wasps build paper-like nests, making them with saliva and wood fibers. You can find wasp nests in trees, under eaves, on decks, or inside walls. They are round or umbrella-shaped and gray in color. Some wasps build their nests underground, like ground yellow jackets. Some wasps, like hornets and paper wasps, hang in their nests.
Beehive versus Wasp Nest
Bee hives are made of wax, and Honeybees live in bee hives.
Common Types of Wasp Nests
There are many types of wasp nests. Here are the most common ones: Open and shaped like an umbrella, paper wasp nests. Hornet nests: round and completely closed off.
Do Wasps Attack?
Wasps are more hostile than bees. Hornets and yellow jackets will protect their nests with all their might. The nest keeps growing if you don’t bother with it. The wasps will grow in number and spread through your house.
How to Get Rid of a Wasp Nest
Here are some safe ways to get rid of a wasp nest:
1. Use a spray for wasps
You can get wasp nest spray at a hardware store. Spray it at night when the wasps aren’t as busy. Always wear long sleeves and stay far away. Don’t use it during the day.
2. Make a wasp trap at home
Shake the sugar, water, and vinegar in a bottle. Cut the bottle into a funnel shape. This works for wasps that are inside your home or yard.
3. Spray with peppermint oil
Mix well dish soap, water, and peppermint oil and this solution helps to keep wasps away. Spray them on nests or around your house. Its smell makes wasps sick. It’s a safe and natural way to keep bugs away.
4. Get in touch with a pro
Call an exterminator if the nest is big or in a wall. They know how to get rid of wasp nests in a safe way. This is the best way to get rid of hornets that are in the wall or hidden nests.
When to Get Rid of a Wasp Nest
At night is the best time to take down a nest.
What Smell Do Wasps Not Like?
These smells make wasps angry: Oil of peppermint, Oil of clove, Oil from lemongrass, Vinegar, Eucalyptus.
How to Use Spray for Wasps
Get wasp spray with a long-range nozzle. Spray the nest from a distance of 10 to 15 feet. Never spray during the day; only at night.
Do Wasps Remember People’s Faces?
Some studies say yes. Paper wasps are especially good at recognizing faces. They might remember people who come by their nest a lot. Only destroy it if it could hurt you. You can leave the nest alone if it’s far from your house. Some wasps are good for your garden and don’t harm it.
How to Tell a Wasp Queen from a Worker
The queen wasp is bigger than the other wasps that work. She builds the nest and lays eggs. You won’t see her very often because she stays in the nest.
What Kills Wasp Nests Right Away?
A strong wasp spray kills nests quickly. For best results, look for sprays that say, “kills on contact.” Foaming sprays can also catch and kill wasps right away.
What is the best way to get rid of a wasp nest?
Use a wasp spray that works over long distances. Put on clothes that will protect you. Take down the nest at night. Call pest control if it’s too dangerous.
Will Wasps Come Back to a Nest That Was Sprayed?
No, they usually won’t come back after the nest is destroyed and sprayed. To be safe, take down the empty nest and clean up the area.
Why Do Wasps Come Near You?
Wasps take an interest in food, perfumes, and bright clothes. Therefore, they might also come up to you if you’re close to their nest.
What Color Scares Wasps?
Wasps don’t like dark colors like black and brown. They prefer white, yellow, and floral prints.
Do You Stop Wasps by Holding Your Breath?
No, holding your breath won’t stop a wasp. But staying calm and moving slowly might help you avoid getting stung.
How to Stop Wasp Nests
Fill in any cracks or holes in the walls and roofs. Cover your food and trash. Use sprays or oils to keep wasps away. Put up fake nests. Wasps don’t like to compete. Take care of your yard and pick up any fruit that has fallen.
Wasp Nest in the Wall of the House
Don’t break open your wall if wasps get in. To keep wasps from coming inside, call a professional. They can safely take down a hornet’s nest in the wall of a house without hurting anything.
Hornet Nest vs. Wasp Nest
Hornet nests are usually bigger than nests of other types of wasps. They are completely closed off and look like footballs. Hornet wasp nests are usually found in attics, under roof eaves, or high up in trees. Wasp nests, especially those made of paper, are open and look like umbrellas turned upside down. Check the size, shape, and location of the hornet and wasp nests to see which one is better.
Hornets in the Wall
If you poke a wall nest, dozens of angry hornets could attack at once.
Taking Down Hornets’ Nests in the Winter
The best time to remove a hornet’s nest is in the winter. During this time of year, most hornets die or go into hibernation. The nest isn’t being used, and it’s safe to take it down. Put on gloves and be careful. Still not sure? A pest control expert can quickly and safely get rid of the nest.
Wasp Nest Inside the Wall
It can be hard to find a wasp nest in a wall until it gets big. There could be wasps or buzzing in your house. Don’t break the wall to get there. You could let dozens of wasps into your home. Call pest control or use insecticides that work inside cracks.
What a Wasp Nest Means
A wasp nest means that a group of wasps has settled nearby. There can be dozens or even hundreds of wasps in one nest. Wasps often make their homes near places where they can find food, water, and shelter. It’s time to close your house and act quickly. Nests are small at the beginning of spring. They can get as big as a basketball by the end of summer. The bigger the nest, the more dangerous it is.
Different Types of Wasp Nests
Want to know what types of wasp nests there are?
The most common ones are Paper wasps:
- Small, open combs that hang from thin stalks.
- Yellow jackets: They hide underground or in walls.
- Hornets: Big, gray nests that hang from trees or buildings.
Knowing what kind of nest helps you do the right thing.
A Nest for Bees and a Nest for Wasps
A lot of people don’t know the difference between a bee nest and a wasp nest. The wax that makes up a bee nest. It is often found in tree holes or boxes. The wasp nest is gray and looks like paper. Wasps eat wood and mix it with their spit. Wasp nests look rough and feel like cardboard. A bee’s nest looks more like a honeycomb than a nest.
Different Types of Wasp Nests
There are many types of wasp nests, and each one has its own shape and place:
- Hornets are round and closed.
- Paper wasps are flat and open.
- Yellow jackets live underground.
All types can be dangerous, so find and get rid of them right away. Use a spray that makes foam. Wait until it gets dark. Put on thick clothes and cover your face. From a distance, spray the nest. Call a professional pest control company if it’s in the wall. Never take down an active nest without taking safety precautions.
Do Wasps Go Back to Their Old Nests?
No, most wasps don’t use old nests again. Every spring, they make new ones.
How to Keep Wasps Out of Your House
Want to keep wasps from coming into your house?
Try these things: Fake wasp nests to hang. Close trash cans. Put peppermint oil around the windows. Get rid of fruit that has fallen in your yard. Close all of the food containers. Never put gasoline or water in a nest on the ground. Call professionals or use insecticidal dust.
Beehive vs. Wasp Nest
Bees help plants reproduce and don’t sting very often. Wasps are hunters and more aggressive.
Hornets and Wasps’ Nests
Use a long-range foaming wasp killer to spray. Check to see if the wasps are gone after 24 hours. Knock down the empty nest to get rid of it. If that sounds dangerous, you should always hire a pest control specialist.
Wasps FAQ