Category: Wasps

Even the best summer picnic in the garden may be ruined by the noisy buzzing of striped flying pests. The majority of people are afraid of wasps as the wasp sting is poisonous and may be fatal if one has an allergy. So as soon as you notice their presence on your household territory, avoid the danger zone and examine how to destroy a wasp nest.

Wasp Identification

Let me explain what a wasp nest is, how to remove this construction safely, and what measures to take for its complete extermination.

Wasps are stinging flying insects. Their body structure is typical for all insects:

• three body parts: the head, the thorax, the abdomen;
• six legs;
• two jointed antennae;
• strong jaws;
• hard exoskeleton.

The prominent differences between wasps and other flying insects are a bright yellow color and a sting (a tough black needlelike part placed as a tail on the abdomen). Unlike bees, every attempt of the defense of which is fatal, wasps sting several times in a row.

There are approximately 30 000 species of wasps. Most of them are social insects. It means that they live in huge colonies with a strict structure: a queen, workers, and makers of future generations — males and young queens. Wasps are active during 3 seasons: from spring to late fall.

The danger of the wasp nest

The nest of these insects is dangerous because it is a place of concentration of hazardous species. Even one wasp sting may provoke an allergic reaction. Moreover, several bites cause a severe reaction that may be fatal.

If you don’t destroy the wasp nest, next year, you and your neighbors risk sharing the territory with insects. Wasps may be attracted to your house by aromas of sweets, fruits, flowers, and meat. If you are a BBQ-lover, pay attention to the insects flying over your stake and if there is a nest hanging near your grill.

How to Get Rid of a Wasp Nest?

Getting rid of the wasps’ nest may be challenging. However, if you want to find out how to remove a wasp nest and try it yourself, follow this plan:

1. Do research where the nest is located.
2. Choose an aerosol, spray, or insecticide dust.
3. Exterminate these flying pests at night. Wasps are less active in the dark, and most of them are inside the nest.
4. Put on a full wasp costume that protects your body, hands, and face.

5. While you are approaching the nest, do not point a flashlight directly to the structure, because it may provoke the wasps to defense.
6. Try to reach the nest opening smoothly and silently.
7. Apply the chemical directly to the opening. It is better to spread the chemical through a long extension pole to access the nest from the safer distance.
8. Do not break the nest during the treatment. It will infuriate the wasps, and they will sting every living being around.
9. After treatment, wait for 3-4 days before removing a wasps nest. You need to ensure that colony is dead.
10. If you still notice pests flying around, repeat the extermination.

Tools for treatment

Insecticide dust and sprays

The most popular chemical treatments are wasp insecticide dust and sprays. The toxic ingredients block vital functions of the wasps, so they die in 10-20 hours. The pesticides might be spread on the inseсts’ backs deep inside the nest.

I advise you to pour the dust over the opening hole so every newcomer to the nest will be covered with the dust. Either dust or spray should be used with a protective mask over the mouth and nose.

Protective suits

Except for the facial mask, it is necessary to wear a beekeeper’s suit that will cover all the body and keep it safe from the stings. The suit should include trousers, a jacket, gloves, boots, a hat with a veil. Thus, it should protect you, but it might not help with the huge wasp attack.

Traps

You can also use wasp traps and fake nests to control the invasion. Hang the traps in your garden or next to the entrance and windows. The more, the better, as it shows you the number of killed pests and scares the insects. Some scholars say that wasps inform their fellows about death, so they try to avoid dangerous places.

Fake nests

The wasps are territorial insects, which means they tend to settle near the already existing colony. In such a way, the fake nest is a great wasp deterrent. I advise you to hang it near your house in early spring so the young queens will avoid your property.

Also, pay attention to these preventive recommendations:

• Keep your trash cans tight close with the lids.
• Clean up all leftovers and spills at once.
• Cover up your food and beverages when you are eating outdoors.
• Rake fallen leaves, fruits and utilize them.
• Use the traps around the perimeter of the territory you want to protect.
• Hang the fake nest on your terrace or in the garden.
• In the late autumn, check the territory, house, any possible places for wasps to hibernate and get rid of any cohabitants for winter.

If you found the abandoned nest, don’t worry, wasps won’t come back to it. It is more likely that during the winter, it will disintegrate. Nevertheless, check cracks around as wasps may hide near for the next season.

How to Remove Wasp Nest With Top 5 Wasp Nest Treatments

Here I share the best methods for the total removal of the pests from your property. If you have a giant nest on your territory, it is better to use them all to get rid of and prevent any possible invasions.

1. The Wasp Nest Killer — BASF PT Wasp-Freeze II

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BASF PT Wasp-Freeze Insecticide for Wasp, Hornet,…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Prallethrin 0.1%
• Item Form: Aerosol
• Item Weight: 1.09 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2.63 x 2.63 x 11 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets, Spiders

It is the best spray for wasp extermination. This 17.5 oz bottle sprays with foamy liquid chemicals, that is why you should be very careful with it. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mouth because it may provoke an allergic reaction or burn.

The manual says that the item can spread effectively 15 feet away from the target, but I advise to use it to the area up to 10 feet. With lesser distance, you get more direct shot, but on over 10 feet distance, it sprays like a shower.

2. Practical Helper for the Wasp Nest Removal — Delta Dust

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Delta Dust Multi Use Pest Control Insecticide…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Deltamethrin 0.05%
• Coverage Area: 1 lb. Covers 1,000 sq. ft.
• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Product Dimensions LxWxH: 3.8 x 1.9 x 9.63 inches
• Target Species: Ants, Bed Bugs, Boxelder Bugs, Cockroaches, Crickets, Fleas, Firebrats, Silverfish, Termites, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Centipedes, Ground Bettles, Millipedes, Scorpions, Spiders, Sowbugs, Wasps, Bees, Webbing, Clothes Moths, Carpet Beetles, Pantry Pest, Plant Pest, Slugs, and Ticks

This Bayer`s product is made to get rid of dangerous insects such as ants, bugs, cockroaches, fleas, termites, centipedes, spiders, wasps, bees, clothes moths, etc.

The white powder substance easily spreads to the farthest corners of the nest on the insects` backs, where the pesticide dust stays long enough to kill all wasps. The colony dies in 2-3 days; then, you can remove the nest.

Delta Dust is waterproof insecticide dust, so it works even in the wet places. The best option is to spray it inside the nest through duster. This way, it will get around faster. On the other hand, you can pour the powder inside the nest opening, and the wasps will spread the insecticides themselves.

3. Getting Rid of Wasp Nest Without Chemicals — Aircrow Fake Wasp Nest

AIRCROW Wasp Out™ Fake Hornet’s Nest Decoy Wasp…

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Specifications:

• Without toxic chemicals
• Material: Durable Foam
• Item Weight: 2.39 ounces
• Product Dimensions LxWxH: 7 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Target Species: Wasps

It is an artificial wasps’ nest made of durable foam. The product works as a deterrent, so it scares away pests from your property. There were cases when wasps abandoned their own nest because they saw the fake one in the neighborhood.

The Aircrow has pleasant ornament; therefore, it won’t spoil your outdoor composition.

4. How to Safely Remove a Wasp Nest? Only in Vivo Beekeeping Suit

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VIVO Professional White Large Beekeeping Suit,…

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Specifications:

• Material: Polyester
• Size: Large
• Department: Unisex-adult
• Item Weight: 1.39 pounds
• Product Dimensions LxWxH: 17.8 x 12.8 x 3.8 inches

This professional beekeeping suit is made of the white lightweight polyester fabric that protects from stings and stays cool in hot summer days. It consists of a pullover and a hat with a veil zipped together in the neck area. It is comfortable to wear as the hat is collapsible like a hood.

It is easy to wash the suit and the hat. However, you should wash them manually.

5. What Kills Wasps Better than Aspectek Wasp Trap?

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Aspectek Wasp Trap Outdoor or Indoor Hanging Helps…

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Specifications:

• Material: ABS Plastic
• Number of Pieces: 2
• Item Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Product Dimensions LxWxH: 5.1 x 5.1 x 5.5 inches
• Target Species: Bee, Hornet, Wasp

According to my experience, no wasp trap is better than this item from Aspectek. It is made from bright yellow ABS plastic in the form of a small pumpkin. The trap has holes through which wasps are attracted inside by the bright color. As soon as wasps get in, they can not fly out of the Aspectek, so they die inside it. I recommend hanging the trap not in the resting areas, but near them. So the wasps won’t bother you.

Moreover, the manual contains several recipes for the homemade lure. Nevertheless, the best bait is a mixture of ½ cup of juice (orange or cranberry) with 3 spoons of sugar.

FAQ

I suppose the guide above helped you to understand how to get rid of a wasp nest. To clarify all the possible questions you may have, here are the most common supplementary queries.

What is wasp nest?

The wasp nest is a home for a colony. It is a protected place for the wasp queen, where it lays hundreds of eggs every day. Here workers take care of larvae, and males fertilize future queens. It is the core of wasps’ social life that still contains secrets for scientists to solve. The most common places for a wasp nest are:

• wall cavities;
• roof spaces;
• under eaves;
• in bird boxes;
• sheds;
• garages;
• on trees.

What are wasp nests made of?

Wasps live in paper nests that are made from chewed wood turned into a pulp. After picking up the place to settle, the queen looks for the wood fiber (trees, furniture, cardboard). It mixes the fiber with saliva in its mouth till it breaks down to form a soft pulp and constructs the first cells to lay the egg workers.

In a few days, it gets the first helpers that also build the nest by forming the pulp into hexagonal cells. When the pulp dries, it turns into the sturdy material.

If you knock down a wasp nest will they go away?

They definitely won’t go away immediately. If you knock down the nest, all wasps will attack you viciously. Even if one insect stings you, it will mark you with some identifying chemical so that the swarm will chase you for some time. So, if you are fast enough, better run directly to the shower.

When to spray wasp nest?

Spray the wasp nest in the dark. It may be twilights, night, or at sunrise. During these periods of the day, wasps are less active, and you have better chances to avoid stings.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Paper Wasps

What is a wasp life cycle?

With the first warm days, the queen wasp rises from the winter hibernation and searches for a place for a future colony. It builds a few cells from chewed wood combined with wood pulp. These cells are the base of the colony.

The young queen lays down the first eggs. In a few days, they develop to larvae and then to workers. The newly hatched out workers take over the building duties, so the queen does nothing except producing 200-300 eggs per day. Thus, the workers are responsible for offsprings, food, and colony growth.

In the summer, the typical nest consists of almost 10 000 wasps. At the end of the season, the colony reaches its peak, so the further eggs develop into new queens and fertile males.

As soon as cold, rainy weather begins, the queen dies, and the colony loses its social structure. New queens that have been fertilized are looking for a place to hibernate over winter. Next spring, they will be founders of new colonies. So, it is better to check your property and garden in winter. Look under the wooden boards and barks, whether there is a wasp inside. If you find one, try to get it out; otherwise, it will start the invasion in 3 months.

The main sign that the wasps have settled down on your territory is the nest. It could be of any size and dimension because wasps are great in adapting to environmental conditions. They can build the nest even in a house wall.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Mud Dauber Wasps

Choose Your Best Solution for Serene Summer Evenings

So, if you want to enjoy your holidays outdoors, without fear of being stung, you need to know what to do with a wasp nest. I hope that you will use my tips and a list of treatments. If you tried another insecticide dust or spray for extermination, share your experience in the comments. I’m interested in your methods of removing nests at home and outdoors. Have you tried any pesticides at home? What do you use to prevent wasps’ invasion?

References:

• Wasps and bees (University of Minnesota Extension):
  https://extension.umn.edu/insects-infest-homes/wasps-and-bees
• Social Insects (NC State Agriculture and Life Sciences):
  https://genent.cals.ncsu.edu/bug-bytes/social-insects/
• Getting rid of wasps’ nests (Michigan State University):
  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/getting_rid_of_wasps_nests
• Look out for wasp nests! (University of Minnesota Extension):
  https://blog-yard-garden-news.extension.umn.edu/2019/08/look-out-for-wasp-nests.html

The term “ground wasp” is quite broad and can be used when talking about many species (more than 8000). As you can tell from the name, they are united by the fact that they prefer to dig nests underground. These may include both safe and even useful species for farming and potentially harmful ones. An allergic reaction to insect bites is one of the most life-threatening.

In this article, I will tell you what kind of wasp builds a nest in the ground, give you my top 3 effective treatments, and explain what preventive measures you need to take so that wasps no longer appear on your site.

1. Buy a special protective suit.
2. Spray insecticide powders and dust.
3. Use liquid insecticides.
4. Place a wasp trap near the nest.
5. Do not allow other insects to breed. Pick up fallen fruits and berries regularly and do not leave food on a table.

What Are Ground Wasps?

Representatives of this large family include all apocritan and hymenopteran insects. The ground wasps group comprises many species, but in North America, yellowjackets, sand wasps, digger wasps, spider wasps, scoliid wasps, and cicada killer wasps are the most common.

Ground wasp identification is not as difficult as it might sound. These are small creatures whose body length varies from 0.6 to 2 inches. They have a characteristic coloration consisting of stripes of yellow, red, brown, and black shades. At the end of the abdomen, female species have a sting with a poisonous gland.

All wasps can be divided into solitary and social groups. A solitary wasp female builds a nest only for itself; it provides itself with food and lays larvae alone. Social wasps live in groups (more than 500 insects) and serve a queen who directs them. They often sting people to protect their nest.

How Do Ground Wasps Appear in Your Garden?

A nest location depends on a queen’s preferences. If wasps appear on your site, it means that soil there is perfect for them. Do wasps live in the ground? Yes, their nest can be built in an abandoned wild animal hole, in an old anthill, or under tree roots. Besides, if the soil in your backyard is sandy or just quite loose, some types of wasps can dig tunnels themselves.

To understand the reasons for their appearance in your garden, you should consider their diet as well. Adult insects, like many other species of wasps, feed on soft berries and fruits. And if you do not regularly pick up fallen fruits from the ground, wasps can fly into the smell of fermented juice.

What Are Dangerous and What Are Useful Ground Wasps?

Most ground wasps can be useful in gardening. Since their larvae need protein food in the form of caterpillars, roaches, and butterflies, they simply destroy all harmful insects in your garden. For example, a cicada killer wasp, as the name implies, can help reduce cicada populations.

However, some wasps can be dangerous. European beewolf wasps feed on bees. They are capable of causing enormous damage to an apiary, as to feed one of their larvae, they need up to 6 bees.

The main danger of ground-dwelling wasps, primarily social species like yellow jackets, is their aggressiveness. They will actively defend their nest if they feel the slightest threat. Besides a huge pain effect, a wasp sting can cause a sharp dermatological reaction. With several bites, it is fraught with an allergic reaction, up to suffocation, and anaphylactic shock. Moreover, wasps do not die in the attack and can sting several times in a row.

How to Get Rid of Ground Wasps?

Of course, it is better to entrust this work to professionals and call a pest control service. So you will not put yourself at risk of being stung several times. However, you can get rid of wasps on your own; just prepare everything right.

First of all, get a special protective suit. Carry out this procedure in the evening, at night or early in the morning when wasps are less active. Inspect the area near the nest to make sure that it does not have another exit.

As their nests are deep underground, destroying them is not so simple. Wasp sprays, aerosols, gels, and foams will not cope with the task. But now on the market, you can find many other effective professional remedies for ground wasps.

Insecticide powders and dust

These are the most effective remedies in the fight against earthen wasps. With their help, you can process the nest, destroy both adults and larvae, and at the same time, not harm the plants in your area.

Both wasp powders and dust can be poured using their original bottles. However, it is recommended that you use them with dusters for more directional applications. Put the indicated amount of a product into a container, insert a tube tip into a hole and spray the remedy all over the nest.

Liquid insecticides

They are poured through the main hole directly into wasp nests. This tool kills all individuals inside and does not allow the flying insects to return. Since they are absorbed into the soil, they can harm plants. Therefore, be careful with the dosage. Most often, such products are sold in bottles with handy long nozzles and are ready for use.

Both liquid insecticides and dust contain active ingredients like pyrethrin, cypermethrin, and tetramethrin. Smash ground wasp nest with a shovel or rake as soon as insects stop flying near it.

Traps

There are many types of them. However, I recommend using them only in combination with the two previous remedies, since it kills only adults. Place a wasp trap near the nest so that the wasps fly by the smell.

Top 3 Ground Wasps Treatments

In this section, I will tell you about three excellent treatments against ground wasps. One of them is a handy duster tool, and two others are efficient insecticide powders.

1. Bellows Hand Duster — An Effective Tool for Killing Burrowing Wasps

Bellows Hand Duster BHD001 by Anteater

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Specifications:

• Item Shape: Round Bellow
• Material: Rubber
• Item Weight: 7.2 Ounces
• Package Dimensions: 4.4 x 9.5 x 2.75 inches
• Product has a 6-inch extension

One of the most convenient and practical devices for destroying ground wasps’ nests is the Bellows Hand Duster. It consists of a rubber siphon with a volume of about 110 g and an elongated metal tube with a narrow end (6 inches long). This design allows you to spray remedies even in hard to reach places. The container should not be filled with dust to the full; there should be enough free space for proper spraying.

2. Tempo Dust Insecticide BA1011 — Eliminate Wasps That Live in the Ground

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Cyfluthrin 1%
• Coverage Area: 0.5 to 1 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft.
• Item Weight: 1.38 pounds
• Package Dimensions: 2.5 x 3.8 x 9.55 inches
• Target pests: Ants, Bees, Carpenter Bees, Hornets, Roaches, Wasps and others

Tempo Dust Insecticide BA1011 contains 1% cyfluthrin, which perfectly copes with the destruction of small insects, including ground wasps. Use it with the Bellows Hand Duster to process nests. Recommended consumption is no more than 1 lb per 1000 square feet.

Be careful when using it because the active ingredient cyfluthrin is toxic and can cause nausea and headache in large quantities.

3. Sevin Ready-to-Use 5% Dust — An Insecticide Powder for Getting Rid of Ground Wasps

Sevin Ready-to-Use 5 Percentage Dust, 3 Pack, 1 LB…

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Another tool that can be used with a duster is Sevin Ready-to-Use 5% Dust. 5% carbaryl insecticide in the composition effectively fights harmful insects and has a long-lasting effect. However, it can also harm beneficial insects, such as bees, ground beetles, and earthworms. That is why I recommend using it pointwise to destroy wasp nests only.

How to Prevent Ground Wasps in the Future?

To prevent ground wasps from appearing on your site again, do not allow the reproduction of other insects that may attract them. Pick up fallen fruits and berries regularly and do not leave food on a table.

Close garbage bins with food waste tightly and keep them away from your house. From time to time, inspect your backyard for holes of other insects or rodents; destroy them to prevent wasps from settling inside.

Ground Nesting Wasps FAQs

Here I’ve picked three most essential questions about ground wasps that my readers usually ask.

What does a ground wasp nest look like?

Finding wasp nest in the ground is not difficult; it is very different from anthills. Usually, they look like a small cone-shaped pile of mud with a large entrance at the top. Since these wasps can also settle in cracks in the ground or rodent burrows, their nests are not so noticeable. You will have to observe their behavior a little to determine the location of the nest.

What attracts ground wasps?

Since the basis of adult wasps’ diet is juice and plants nectar, they are attracted to sweet smells of fruits and berries. They can fly to the scent of honey, jam, and even from afar smell the juice that fermented in a fallen apple or pear. As their larvae need protein food, they can be attracted by other insects.

Do ground wasps sting?

Yes, like all wasp species, they can sting in case of a threat to their life or nest. Besides, closely spaced species respond to the smell of the released poison and can join the attack.

Summarizing All the Above

As you can see, ground wasps really do bring many benefits. However, if they settle too close to houses, such a neighborhood can be dangerous. Not only do they behave aggressively, if you are just next to their nest, but you can also accidentally step on their underground housing. And then, multiple bites cannot be avoided. Take appropriate measures to get rid of them and prevent them from appearing on your site in the future.

Have ground wasps ever settled on your backyard? What method did you use to get rid of them? Or maybe you preferred to leave them alone? Share your story with me in the comments below!

References:

• Yellowjackets and Other Social Wasps (University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources):
  http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7450.html
• Getting rid of wasps’ nests (Michigan State University):
  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/getting_rid_of_wasps_nests

Yellow jackets create problems not only for beekeepers. None of us wants to face them in our yard or garden. These pests can be dangerous to your family and pets. That is why finding the best yellow jacket trap is significant for protecting them.

Product

Best Yellow Jacket Trap

Great Value

Yellow Jacket Attractant

Title

RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap – Includes Attractant

RESCUE! Disposable Summer Yellowjacket Trap – Mountain & Pacific Formula – 6 Traps

RESCUE! Yellowjacket Attractant Cartridge (10 Week Supply) – for RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket…

Price

$14.79

$30.49

$19.99

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Pros

Safe for bees.

Effective against wasps and hornets.

No mess afterward;

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Best Yellow Jacket Trap

Product

Title

RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap – Includes Attractant

Price

$14.79

Prime

Pros

Safe for bees.

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Great Value

Product

Title

RESCUE! Disposable Summer Yellowjacket Trap – Mountain & Pacific Formula – 6 Traps

Price

$30.49

Prime

–

Pros

Effective against wasps and hornets.

My preview

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Yellow Jacket Attractant

Product

Title

RESCUE! Yellowjacket Attractant Cartridge (10 Week Supply) – for RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket…

Price

$19.99

Prime

Pros

No mess afterward;

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There are many options on the market, as well as for instructions for making DIY traps. But you should know all the essential aspects of fighting yellow jackets before choosing a suitable approach. I’ve decided to share my knowledge with you in this article.

I’ve reviewed some solutions to make it easier for you to find the one. Also, here you will find answers and recommendations on how to fight these pests properly.

Top 5 Best Yellow Jackets Traps

1. RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap
2. RESCUE! Disposable Summer Yellowjacket Trap
3. Yellow Jacket Wasp Trap from Pic
4. RESCUE! Yellowjacket Attractant Cartridge
5. BioCare Wasp & Fly Trap 4 oz.

Without at least basic knowledge, it is hard to find the right yellow jacket treatment. A regular person can get lost in the selection of products and their types. That is why you should seek professional help in finding the most effective yellow jacket trap. Check reviews below to define the best solutions.

1. Reusable Yellow Jacket Trap with Attractant from RESCUE

RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap – Includes…

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Specifications:

• Won’t Attract Honeybees
• Material: Plastic
• Item Weight: 0.05 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 10 x 3.5 x 3.75 inches
• Target Species: Fly, Wasp

RESCUE offers an affordable solution for controlling the population of pests. Their reusable yellow jacket traps use a non-toxic attractant that is effective against pests without harming the honey bees. This is a wise purchase because you can use it as long as you need it.

Just change the cartridges from time to time. The attractant is included in the package, but you will soon run out of it, so you should either buy extra sticks or make a homemade one. The good news is that the DIY attractant can be applied here as well.

The construction is durable, and it is resistant to temperature or weather changes. Moreover, this product is very convenient because it is easy to maintain.

From my professional point of view, this is the best reusable yellow jacket trap, considering all the benefits of this product.

2. Disposable Yellow Jacket Trap with Attractant from RESCUE

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RESCUE! Disposable Summer Yellowjacket Trap -…

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Specifications:

• Material: Plastic
• Number of Pieces: 6
• Item Weight: 0.13 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 3.25 x 7.75 x 8.75 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Yellow Jackets

If you do not want to deal with changeable cartridges and to clean the mess from pests, you can apply the disposable traps from RESCUE. This brand is known for providing effective anti-pest solutions. The package includes 6 disposable hanging catchers that contain the attractant, which works for yellow jackets, as well as wasp or hornets. When they get in through the small hole, they are trapped.

The construction is safe for your hands. After the trap is full, you just need to throw it in the trash.

Talking about the best disposable yellow jacket trap, this definitely will be my choice. The only drawback here is that the trap has plastic parts, which is not good for the environment.

3. Yellow Jacket Wasp Trap from Pic

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Specifications:

• Material: Plastic
• Number of Pieces: 1
• Item Weight: 0.45 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 5.25 x 5.25 x 6.5 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Yellow Jackets, Hornets

This reusable trap from Pic is effective in catching large amounts of yellow jackets thanks to its 6 one-way entries. Inside the bottle construction, there is water with an attractant that lures the pests at first and then kills them. The construction of the trap is durable and can serve for long in various weather conditions.

The attractant formula is safe for bees; therefore, you can use this yellow jacket trap bait near bee-gardens. Also, the trapped insects will release some substances as well to distress others. So, you will catch even more yellow jackets.

The drawback here is typical to the reusable solutions. The trap requires maintaining: refilling the attractant and cleaning the dead insects when the bottle is full.

4. Cartridges for Trapping Yellow Jackets from RESCUE

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RESCUE! Yellowjacket Attractant Cartridge (10 Week…

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Specifications:

• Material: Plastic
• Number of Pieces: 3
• Item Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 1.75 x 4 x 6 inches
• Target Species: Yellow Jackets

When you decide to apply the reusable traps, you should take care of the changeable cartridge supply. For the RESCUE trap, it is advisable to use the particular cartridges from this brand. In my expert view, this is the best yellow jacket cartridge with attractant.

The manufacturer knows how to attract yellow jackets without harming other useful insects. The non-toxic formula only lures the pests to the trap, without poisoning them.

The solution is effective against yellow jackets during spring, summer, and fall. With the proper maintenance, your yard or garden will be entirely protected from these nasty pests. The special cartridge construction makes it easy to change them without touching the attractant elements. According to the manufacturer, one cartridge can ensure up to 10 weeks of treatment.

5. Yellow Jacket Trap Bait for Outdoors from BioCare

BioCare Reusable Outdoor Yellow Jacket and Wasp…

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Specifications:

• Material: Plastic
• Number of Pieces: 1
• Item Weight: 4 Ounces
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 3.75 x 3.75 x 8.62 inches
• Target Species: Yellow Jackets

This BioCare yellow jacket catcher is non-toxic food-based bait that does not contain any poisonous chemicals. The special design of the trap attracts the pests along with a mixture inside. Thanks to its reusable construction, the trap is a cost-effective solution for your garden. I recommend you to hang at least 4-6 catchers in your yard for better effect.

The bad news is that the manufacturer expects the customers to prepare the attractant mixture. You will need to mix water with sugar (or non-citrus juice), dish soap, and some fish or meat. Or you can use any other proven recipe. But still, it would be better to have the mixture in a kit.

Reusable and Disposable Trap Types

Most of the insect traps have the same construction of jars or bags with an attractant inside. Manufacturers offer a selection of products, which can be reusable or disposable. Both options have benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take a closer look at them.

The main advantage of the reusable traps is their cost-effectiveness. You just need to buy changeable attractants from time to time. Also, some traps work properly with homemade mixtures. The bad thing is that you have to clean the dead insects and deal with cartridge changing.

At the same time, disposable traps for yellow jackets are more convenient as you just have to add some water to activate the attractant. When the trap is full of insects, you just need to throw it away. There is no need to change cartridges or clean the mess.

But this solution usually costs more compared to the reusable alternatives. Also, due to the disposable construction, these traps are less durable.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Mud Dauber Wasps

Choosing the Best Trap for Yellow Jacket

It is not enough just to know how to catch yellow jackets. You also should know what solution will be suitable for your case of infestation. Here are some aspects you should consider before purchasing a trap:

• What type is more convenient for you: reusable or disposable?
• Does the trap use the chemicals for fighting pests?
• Is the catcher safe for bees and animals around?
• What do experts say about the particular product?
• What is the level of customer satisfaction?

Effective Usage of the Yellow Jacket Wasp Trap

Most of the yellow jacket bottle trap products are designed for outdoor use, so the weather can be an issue. Some traps require covering from rains. Otherwise, you need to change them more often. Decent maintenance is the key to the trap effectiveness.

Insects are active during the warm seasons, so this is when you should apply traps. But if you use them in early spring, you can catch the queens and prevent the pests from building a nest. Hang traps near locations you want to disinfect but far from the areas of human and pet activity.

FAQ

There are many common questions about traps for yellow jackets. Below you will find the answers to the most frequent ones.

Where to Place Yellow Jacket Traps?

Place them outside in your yard or garden at least 20 feet away from the area you want to maintain pest-free. Hang the traps at the height of 3-6 feet above the ground. Make sure it is not covered with leaves or branches. Keep the trap away from the direct sunlight, as the heat affects its durability.

Do Yellow Jacket Traps Work for Wasps?

You might look for a universal yellow jacket wasp trap that will be effective against these pests. But most of the yellow jacket catchers do not control the entire wasp colonies. They can only prevent their gathering in treated areas.

How to Make a Yellow Jacket Trap?

Take a large plastic bottle and cut a ¾-inch hole in the top half of it. Then prepare the mixture. You should blend 1 part of vinegar, 1 part of sugar, 4 parts of water, and some banana peels. Fill the bottle with this liquid and hang the trap away from your living zone.

Related Post: Best Wasp and Hornet Killer Sprays

Takeaways

As you can see, trapping yellow jackets can be effective if you use the available treatment methods right. No matter what you choose, reusable, disposable, or homemade traps, you should know the principles of their work for proper applying. Follow the instructions and precautions in order not to harm bees or other pets and animals. Maintain the traps and monitor the population of yellow jackets in your area.

Have you tried some of the reviewed products? Or maybe you have some experience in making DIY traps? What is your opinion about the selected method? I’ll wait for your answers in the comments!

References:

• Getting the Best Results with Yellowjacket Traps (Michael K Rust / Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California):
  https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=14805
• Controlling Wasps, Hornets, and Yellowjackets (University of Kentucky College of Agriculture):
  https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef620

Cicada killers are not aggressive and generally considered beneficial insects. But these large species of wasps remain safe for you in case you don’t irritate them and don’t disturb their nests.

When you have pets or children, cicada killers might be disturbed and become pretty aggressive, thus your family’s health might be at risk.

If you worry about the health of your family and the beauty of your lawn, keep reading this article. I will tell you everything about these species of wasps, how to identify them, and I will provide a step-by-step guide on how to get rid of them.

1. Eliminate the food source.
2. Fertilize the soil. Cicada killers do not nest in the hydric ground, they prefer light-textured soil.
3. You can fill the burrows with water and wash away the piles of dirt surrounding them.
4. Use wasp dust/liquid chemicals/aerosol against wasps.
5. Keep your lawn in good condition.

Buyer’s Guide

When you start a fight, you always need to know the characteristics of your enemy, his weaknesses and strengths. So here I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the cicada killer wasps and answer the most popular questions about them.

What Does a Cicada Killer Look Like?

Cicada killers are one of the largest species of wasps, adult female insects are up to 3 inches long.

They have segmented body in black and yellow stripes, the head and middle parts of the body are of a rust color. Their six legs’ color is from pale red to orange. Insects have yellow-brown tinted wings and antennae.

Where Do Cicada Killer Wasps Live?

These species create their nests in burrows in the ground. Their favorite places in populated areas are lawns and yards. They also like sidewalks, flowerbeds and sloped terrains. These wasps prefer to dig holes in sandy, soft and well-drained soil.

Cicada Killer Wasp Life Cycle

As in other insect species, males appear as adults first. They mate with females, emerging from the soil. After mating, females choose a place to create a burrow, which they supply with cicadas to feed the larvae. Cicadas stay alive but paralyzed by the venom of the wasp’s sting.

The female cicada killer makes a cell with one egg and two-three cicadas then seals the chamber. Pupation usually occurs in the spring and adult insects appear in June. Year by year, their number increases.

Cicada Killer Wasps Dangers

These insects destroy your lawn by burrowing nests in soil and creating tunnels, which can lead to serious results. Since cicada killers breed rapidly, they cause significant damage to lawns and bed flowers by their burrows.

These insects ruin your garden structure by digging and tunneling to lay the eggs and also destroy the roots system of your plants.

Although ground burrowing wasps are not aggressive, they sting when irritated, so your pets or kids playing in such a yard might be at risk too.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Yellow Jackets

Signs of Cicada Killer Wasps Infestation

Here I’ll give you some tips on how to identify if you have cicada killer wasps on property:

• the ground feels mushy when you step on it;
• U-shaped tunnels in the ground with loose soil around the entrance;
• small granular dirt mounds (2 to 5 inches high);
• the hole of finger size at the foot of that mound.

How to Get Rid of Cicada Killer Wasps?

You need to understand that even when you don’t hear buzzing and flying insects, it doesn’t mean your territory is free from dirt digger wasps. These insects leave their eggs in nests, which you can’t see, so getting rid of ground digger wasps requires an integrated approach and includes several steps. So here is a small guide for cicada killer wasp removal.

Step 1: Eliminate the food source

Сicadas is the main food source for cicada killers. When they don’t have enough food, they will start searching for other areas. Adult cicadas feed on flower nectar and fermented sap from large trees.

So when you eliminate large plants and flowers from your area, that will make your garden less attractive for cicada killer infestation.

Step 2: Fertilize the soil

Cicada killers do not nest in the hydric ground, they prefer light-textured soil. So for successful cicada killer wasp control, you need to check your soil for adequate lime and fertilizer level and promote thick turf growth. Also, make sure the infested area receives 1 inch of water per week.

Step 3: Get rid of cicada killer wasps

After you finish two first steps, you need to find a suitable way how to destroy cicada killer nests. You can fill the burrows with water and wash away the piles of dirt surrounding them. Some owners recommend using boric acid or vinegar for that goal.

Natural decisions are easy, but they will be less effective than professional remedies. There are different products which help you to exterminate cicada killers:

• wasp dust (it can be put onto each nest entrance);
• liquid chemicals (you can fill the nest with them);
• wasp aerosols (you can spray them at the nest entrances and directly onto the insects).

How to Prevent Cicada Killers in Future?

The best way to prevent cicada killer wasps in the future is to keep a well-maintained lawn, fertilized and wet enough, with no areas of bare soil. Thick turf and long grass in the middle of summer will also deter these burrowing insects from your area.

Best Cicada Killer Control Remedies

I already mentioned that despite the many natural ways for cicada killer wasp extermination, I prefer to trust checked and proven professional products. In this section, I will shortly review the top 3 of them.

1. Best Ground Digger Wasp Dust Killer – Delta Dust Insecticide by Bayer

1 LB Delta Dust Pest Insecticide w/Puffer Bellow…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Deltamethrin 0.05%
• Coverage Area: 1 lb. Covers 1,000 sq. ft.
• Item Weight: 1.59 pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 10.47 x 9.21 x 2.8 inches
• Target Species: Ants, Bedbugs, Cockroaches, Fleas, Silverfish, Scorpions, Sowbugs, Millipedes, and numerous other pests

Delta Dust is a long-lasting insecticide for killing crawling animals. The active ingredient – Deltamethrin kills ants, fleas, scorpions, bedbugs, cockroaches, millipedes, sowbugs and other insects, including cicada killer wasps. When dust is left undisturbed, it works for 8 months after the application.

It doesn’t absorb moisture from the ground, which is especially important when used outdoors. The product is odorless, so can be applied indoors too. All you need to do is just to shake the duster and squeeze it, to provide the application of a thin layer. When used correctly, you will hardly see the dust lying on the surface.

2. Best Cicada Killer Wasp Insecticide Spray – Viper Insecticide

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CSI – 82005007 – Viper – Insecticide – 16oz

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Cypermethrin 25.4%
• Item Form: Spray
• Item Weight: 1.3 ounces
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 3.9 x 1.8 x 7.9 inches
• Target Species: Ants, Firebrats, Boxelder Bugs, Fleas, Centipedes, Flies, Chiggers, Millipedes, Cockroaches, Mosquitoes, Pillbugs, Crickets, Silverfish, Earwigs, Sowbugs, Elm Leaf Beetle, Bees, Ticks, Wasps, Wood Infesting Beetles, Scorpions, Spiders, and others

Viper Insecticide is the answer to the question how to kill cicada killers quickly with residual control of insects for up to 3 months. Cypermethrin in the composition of this spray also helps to kill cockroaches, fleas, scorpions, ants, spiders, and many other pests.

This product is suggested as concentrated, so before application, you just need to mix it with water in proportion to 1,3 oz of concentrate to 1 gallon of water, shake the bottle, and spray it to infested areas. Perfectly fits for treating lawns and other outdoor areas, you can use it inside the house as well.

3. Best Solution for Direct Contact – Wasp Freeze

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BASF PT Wasp-Freeze Insecticide for Wasp, Hornet,…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Prallethrin 0.1%
• Item Form: Aerosol
• Item Weight: 1.09 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2.63 x 2.63 x 11 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets, Spiders

This spray was created specifically to knockdown bees, hornets, and all kinds of wasps. It’s fatal to insects even when to spray it on them at the distance of 15 feet away. Insecticide works so fast that stinging pheromone doesn’t release, and it reduces risks of being stung.

Wasp Freeze insecticide has residual activity, so it helps to eliminate not only wasps and hornets but also their nests.

FAQ

Do Cicada Killer Wasps Sting Humans?

Cicada killers use their large stinger for hunting for cicadas and they sting to paralyze their victim and feed to larvae. You need to work hard to provoke the female cicada killer wasp to sting you.

It will happen if you step on the insect with bare feet or try to catch it with bare hands. Male cicada killers may seem more aggressive defending their territory, although they can’t sting.

When Do Cicada Killer Wasps Return to Their Burrow?

A burrow of a cicada killer can contain up to 20 cells with 1 egg per cell. Egg hatches to larvae and feeds on cicadas. So the female cicada killer leaves the burrow to hunt for cicadas and bring them back to put into each cell with the egg.

What Attracts Cicada Killer Wasps?

Cicada killer wasps are attracted by well-drained, light texture sandy areas with sparse vegetation at the full sun. They also prefer areas with deciduous trees and flowers nearby, and of course with plenty of cicadas living there.

Related Post: Best Wasp & Hornet Traps Reviewed

Does Vinegar Kill Ground Digger Wasps?

Any liquid that gets inside the cicada killer wasp holes helps to kill the larvae and prevents the appearance of the adult insects next year. In many reviews, they recommend mixing the water and vinegar for higher effectiveness. But vinegar itself won’t kill the insect on contact. It works only for flooding the nests and prevention of the next generation.

Final Words

If you enjoy the sounds of cicadas in the evening while sitting in your backyard, you should know that sooner or later, they will come – cicada killer wasps. Although these insects are not really dangerous for humans, they still can spoil your territory by burrowing nests. Also, your kids or pets can step on burrowing wasps by inadvertence and be stung.

Nobody wants that scenario to happen, so in this article, I wanted to introduce you to digging wasps and tell how to detect them in your area and how to get rid of them. I provided general steps for extermination and also gave examples of professional products that will help.

I hope this article was helpful for you or at least brought you new knowledge. Were you afraid of the big stinger of cicada killer wasps? Is the harm of these insects really evident on your territory? Please share your observations and thoughts with me, and don’t be shy to ask questions if you have any.

References:

• Watch out for the Cicada-Killers…they may just run into you! (A&T State University):
  https://forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/cicadakillers.pdf?fwd=no
• Deltamethrin C22H19BrNO3 (national Library of Medicine):
  https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Deltamethrin
• Cypermethrin: Sources, pathways and environmental data (Environment Agency):
  https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/++preview++/environment-and-business/challenges-and-choices/user_uploads/cypermethrin-pressure-rbmp-2021.pdf

Mud dauber is the family of wasps that build nests using mud. They do not attack first, however, they can sting anyone who becomes a threat. As an experienced entomologist, I’ve met different types of these wasps, from metallic-blue mud dauber to organ-pipe one.

However, the most common type that is wide-spread on American soil is black and yellow mud dauber. I assume that this is the type that is bothering you, occupying your yard. Those people who have an allergy to wasps venom can’t even come nearly to them, and if the wasp stings, they have to take immediate measures.

1. Wear special protective clothes.
2. Use the wasp spray.
3. Remove the whole nest with a paint scraper.
4. Clean the place where the nest was.
5. Seal all the cracks in the walls.
6. Call pest control if infestation is out of control.

Detailed Guide on Mud Daubers: Identification

Before I tell you how to get rid of mud daubers, let’s start with the basics. You need to know your enemy. You may find the name dirt daubers or mud wasps alongside mud daubers. Both of them are applied to mud daubers.

These wasps are up to 1 inch long and do not attack humans, they are using their venom mainly to paralyze spiders which they feed on. If they sting human beings, it is not as painful as bees’ attack, yet those who have an allergy must take action immediately.

There are three types of these wasps:

• Metallic-blue mud dauber builds the nest only if there is no old one, built by someone else. In this case, the wasp will restore the abandoned nest. It can occupy barns and porches.
• Organ-pipe mud dauber gets its name for building the nest in a cylindrical tube shape that reminds of the flute or organ pipe. They prefer to live on cliffs, bridges, in walls, and caves.
• Black-and-yellow mud dauber builds a one-cell nest that is attached to the corner of the house or cracks. Every nest has 1 egg. These wasps prefer to combine several nests together.

Now, let’s sum up what does a mud dauber look like:

• The length of the body varies from ¾ to 1 inch;
• The color can be completely black, yellow and black, or blue;
• These wasps have a narrow and long waist.

The Lifecycle

They prefer to live in solitude, instead of colonies. Female mud daubers build nests from clay or mud. A cell usually includes paralyzed spiders and one egg. After the nest is sealed, the mother flies away, abandoning her children. Babies survive on spiders left by mothers.

Larvae of mud daubers have a so-called closed digestive system and can’t excrete anything until finishing the food that is stored. After spiders are consumed, they can lose the waste.

After the larva grows, it builds a pupa, which protects it during the changing process. Adult species come out of the nest somewhere in the late spring or early summer. They fly away to look for mates. Adult species feed on flowers as well.

Mud Dauber vs Wasp: What’s the Difference

Although mud daubers look like wasps and even belong to their kind, they have different behavior and habits. Actually, getting rid of mud daubers may be even easier, as they tend to live outside the group, leaving their nests once eggs are laid. The main differences are:

The Look

While there are multiple types of wasps, mud daubers have unique coloration, a slim and long body.

Behavior

Mud daubers rarely attack humans, most of the time they try to avoid them. They do not defend their nests as often as social wasps do.

Diet

Mud daubers are useful for humans that have a problem with spiders, as they eat even black widows. So if you have a problem with spiders, you may want to leave mud daubers in peace. They can also eat flowers’ nectar, but not as often as social wasps.

Nests

Social wasps build nests from the wood pulp, inside the plants, trees, on the walls. These nests are wide and big, serving the home for the whole colony. Mud daubers build smaller nests for their eggs only. They build it from mud on the flat surfaces.

Reasons Why Mud Daubers Appear in Your House

If you can’t get rid of mud wasps and they keep coming back, it means they found something attractive in your house. It can be:

• The amount of food they have easy access to. For example, there may be plenty of spiders in your garden or house.
• The shelter. These insects prefer to live in an unreachable location for humans, in places that are covered from rain and wind. They dwell under the porches, in barns, sheds, garages, attics, and on the walls.
• Lack of human presence. Mud daubers prefer solitude in everything. They do not live in colonies and avoid people.

What Are the Mud Dauber Dangers?

After the procedure of mud dauber nest identification was successfully completed, and you found their habitat, do not rush. These insects are not really aggressive and can peacefully coexist with humans. Of course, it only works if humans do not have allergies to the wasps’ venom.

They rarely sting, and if they sting, it is less painful than bees’ stings. They often do not defend the nest, and if you see one sealed with mud, it means there are eggs or larvae inside.

Most-Common Ways of Getting Rid of Mud Daubers

There are various ways of how to kill mud daubers or at least to get rid of them for good. Some of them include chemicals, others are natural. I want to point out three the most wide-spread of them:

Step 1. Spray

You can use the wasp spray. Usually, these sprays contain a chemical that kills mud daubers. These sprays are effective but must be applied only in protective costumes.

Step 2. Paint Scraper

Remove the whole nest with a paint scraper. Before you use a scraper, check out whether the holes in the nest are unsealed. If you see the nest without holes, it means that insects are inside. Don’t forget to seal all the cracks in the walls and make sure there is no other way for mud daubers to get into the house.

Step 3. Clean

You have to clean the place where the nest was after you got rid of it. Spray it with water, and wash it. Don’t let parts of the nest remain, as mud daubers can find the way back.

Step 4. Professional Help

Call pest control. You can do it anytime you want. I recommend this solution for those people who are allergic to wasps.

Best Mud Dauber Treatments

Below I have reviewed two of my favorite remedies against mud daubers. They are effective and versatile by their actions. I also recommend paying attention to the insecticide in case you have problems with numerous wasps, while the putty knife is a great way to remove the nest.

1. BASF 597802 PT Wasp-Freeze II Spray – Killing Mud Daubers Outdoors Effectively

Sale

BASF PT Wasp-Freeze Insecticide for Wasp, Hornet,…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Prallethrin 0.1%
• Item Form: Aerosol
• Item Weight: 1.09 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2.63 x 2.63 x 11 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets, Spiders

The 597802 PT Wasp-Freeze II Spray by BASF is an extremely helpful tool in case you have a severe infestation of different types of wasps and hornets. You can kill mud daubers in no time. It also exterminates bees and wasps. However, you may be extremely careful using this tool, as it contains powerful chemicals inside. Developers offer to use it outside.

The spray was created by BASF, a best-selling company that provides various insecticides. This product was checked on wasps, bees, and even spiders. Do not use it near children. Wear a protective mask and glasses while spraying it on the nest.

2. WORKPRO Putty Knife Set – the Mud Dauber Nest Removal of a High-Quality Stainless Steel

WORKPRO 4-Piece Putty Knife Set, Stainless Steel…

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Specifications:

• Material: Stainless Steel
• Item Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 10.24 x 6.5 x 1.38 inches
• Number of Pieces: 4 
• Size: 1-1/2″, 3″ , 4″, 6″

Putty Knife Set by WORKPRO contains 4 different knives of 1.5, 3, 4, and 6 inches. It is a savvy offer, as you can use these knives around your house even after you remove the nest of mud daubers. For example, use it to cover all the cracks in walls, to avoid the next house intrusion. It is made of stainless steel that is flexible, of high quality, and durable.

The material is resistant to rust. Putty Knife Set was created by one of the top sellers WORKPRO. The company develops useful tools for homes. The handle is ergonomic and comfortable to hold. I suggest wearing gloves as well as glasses while removing the nest. Before you do this, check out whether there are no holes.

Preventive Measures

Sometimes it is better to learn how to keep mud daubers away before having to remove their nest. The key option for you is to constantly check all the walls, attic, porch, barn, windows, garage if there are no nests. Don’t forget to wash the place. If you don’t want to damage eggs in the nest, you can try to carefully relocate it into some safe place.

There are other measures:

• Mud daubers can’t stand birds as they hunt these insects. The more birds you have, the fewer mud daubers will come by. You can feed birds on purpose and make birdhouses on the trees.
• Almost all insects do not like peppermint oil. If you spray it in the places of possible habitat for wasps, they will not fly there. It may help you with various types of wasps as well.
• Get rid of spiders at first. Mud daubers will not have food and fly away.
• Spray vinegar and dish soap. It is a temporal solution but a working one. Mud daubers do not like them as much as peppermint oil.

Related Post: Best Wasp Killing Dust Insecticides Reviewed

FAQ

What are mud daubers? Mud daubers are wasps that belong to Sphecidae and Crabronidae families, depending on their type. Now let’s dig deeper into this topic.

Are Mud Daubers Dangerous?

They can be dangerous only in case you piss them off while being allergic to their venom. They rarely sting. Besides, they do not protect their nest like other types of wasps. Mud daubers prefer to live solo and avoid human beings. They are extremely dangerous if you have an allergy.

You can find it out beforehand, during the consultation with your doctor. So, if you don’t know yet whether you have an allergy or not, make an appointment.

What Attracts Mud Daubers?

Mud daubers can be attracted to your garden by the fragrance of flowers. They may be attracted to your attic or barn by the number of spiders. Moreover, they may be lured into your house or under the porch simply by the presence of shelter.

The fewer people are in the house, the better for them. These insects do not like big gatherings and prefer to live as far from people as possible.

How Do Mud Daubers Make Their Nest?

Depending on the type of mud daubers, they make nests of different sizes. However, their name speaks for itself. The nests are built by female species. They collect mud and bring it to the shelter they’ve picked. Usually, one cell is made for one egg.

They put spiders paralyzed with their venom inside, so the baby could feed on it. The cells can be combined in a nest. After the eggs are placed, the female mud dauber closes it with the mud and flies away.
Related Post: How to Get Rid of Cicada Killer Wasps

Do Mud Daubers Sting People?

They do it extremely rarely, mud daubers sting people only in case they feel the threat from them. It does not happen often, as these wasps do not have the instinct to protect the nest and do not live in big colonies. They may attack you if you will move your hands actively in their direction.

They can also attack you if you carry the nest while they are still there and already awake. This is why you have to check whether the nest is empty or the cells are still sealed. Don’t take the nest with bare hands. Even though mud daubers sting less painful than other wasps, it may still hurt.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Ground Waps

To Kill or Not to Kill?

This is a question, which is incredibly subjective. You should make a decision, based on your health issues and the presence of children in the house, who can get easily scared by mud daubers. At the same time, these insects are part of the natural cycle. They are fed on spiders at your house or yard, and they are food for the birds you love so much. You can simply transport the nest in some other place and make sure the wasps will not come back.

Do you have mud daubers? How do you get rid of them? Describe your case in the comments below!

References:

• Why mud daubers are on spider patrol(University of California) (Rachael Freeman Long):
  https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=28834
• Bees and Wasps (Illinois Department of Public Health):
  https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/structural-pest-control/bees-wasps
• Mud Daubers (Missouri Department of Conservation):
  https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/mud-daubers

Although yellow jackets are very similar to honey bees, and people are used to confusing them, this type of insects is much more aggressive. The most apparent distinction is that the yellow jackets have hair on the abdomen and are much larger.

Even if you are not going to attack these insects, they can consider it another way and bite you. Therefore, it is essential to get rid of yellow jackets immediately as they appear in your yard. In this article, we will examine how to do it fast and without damage to your health or house.

Yellow Jacket Identification

After reading this section, you will know about the yellow jackets’ lifestyle, what attracts them, and the methods on how to get rid of yellow jackets naturally. My professional experience showed that people who found the nest in their yard unexpectedly always lost courage and did not know how to start removing yellow jacket nests. Let’s close this gap!

What Does a Yellow Jacket Look Like?

The similarity between honey bees and wasps is obvious. Both of these insects have the striped yellow and black body, fly near the flowers and create nests.

However, yellow jackets are much bigger, about half an inch in length. It is the body size of a typical worker, and a yellow jacket queen is significantly bigger — from three to four inches. Due to its colorful and bright abdomen, it is effortless to notice these insects.

If you can’t detect whether it is a honey bee or the yellow jacket by the size, look at the abdomen: if there is dense hair, then it is a honey bee. Overall, the insects have a thin and slightly elongated body with small wings. When flying, they emit a slight buzz that is hard to miss.

In front, the wasps have small antennae, which are their organs of smell. Yellowjackets have three pairs of paws; the front ones are shorter than the other two.

Where Do Yellow Jackets Nest?

Do you know that yellow jackets are social insects? It means that they tend to live in a group of at least 4000. Try to imagine the size of any yellow jacket nest. Yeah, it is pretty big.

Therefore, yellow jackets prefer to build the nests on the ground or in the bushes, rarely in an abandoned habitat of animals. Another perfect location that attracts the yellow jackets is an attic, for example, under a cornice, and in sheds.

Usually, the yellow jacket nest is not a long-term structure. The insects tend to build it for one season. It all starts with the “foundress”, yellow jackets queen. During the summer, the size of the nest, as well as their quantity, grows. The most dangerous period is the end of the summer when there are many hungry young yellow jackets inside.

Typically, a yellow jacket nest in the ground or yellow jacket nest in a wall can be bigger than the basketball ring. In some areas, where the winter is not very cold, the yellow jackets may stay in their nests to overwinter. In such cases, the nest can be larger.

Yellow Jackets’ Lifecycle

As I have previously mentioned, yellow jackets are social insects that live in the colonies. There are three roles: workers, queens, and males (or drones). The lifespan of a wasp depends on many factors; however, their roles in the colonies have the greatest influence. As a rule, workers die the most quickly, but the lifecycle of the queen lasts longer.

Spring is the time when young queens begin to search for a nesting place and start its construction. To build a site for posterity, they use chewed grass and tree bark. When summer comes, the first offspring of working insects appear.

They resemble the uterus but are smaller in size. Such a brood can live up to two months. Closer to mid-September, individuals appear in special cells, the reproduction of which can produce young wasps. When it gets colder, and winter comes, the males begin to leave the nests and die.

In general, they can live up to 3 months. Wintering of queens takes place under the bark of trees, in crevices, and grassy remnants. Thus, the lifespan of a wasp can be delayed up to 4 years. In general, the wasp period of life is associated with heat, since only individual members of the family are able to winter in frosts.

Yellow Jackets vs Honey Bees

Frankly speaking, yellowjackets have more differences with honey bees than similarities. First of all, let’s talk about appearance. Look at the picture below.

Things to notice:

• Yellowjackets have a longer body;
• The body of the wasps is smooth, without villi;
• The color of the wasp is similar to a bee – the same stripes, but brighter and more noticeable.

As for the lifecycle, the honey bees are working every day to construct the nest and find the food. By collecting nectar from flowers, bees produce many healthy products, such as honey. Wasps cannot create any useful product; they make their hives from a variety of waste. The nutrition of wasps is quite diverse. They prefer either fruits or nectar.

In case of danger, the bees sting, but only if they are attacked first. In this way, they protect the hive. After the bee stings, it dies, leaving a sting in the body. Wasps are more aggressive. They can sting at any time, and do not die.

What Attracts Yellow Jackets?

Yellowjackets like sweet odors. Therefore, they can be attracted by juice, soda, or just perfumes. Moreover, unlike honey bees, warps like the gardens much more than flowers. It is because gardening pests are one of the most delicious delicacies for them.

What’s more, these insects also use various wastes for food and nest construction. Therefore, if you have a bin in the yard, make sure that it is tightly closed, especially if something sweet is there.

Yellow Jackets Dangers

Yellowjackets are used to eat and spoil a lot of berries and fruits in the gardens, and when they get to bee apiaries, they destroy their inhabitants. The sting of wasps has no notches and, therefore, does not remain in the body of the victim.

Thus, unlike bees, wasps do not die and can sting many times. Other yellow jackets that are nearby can also smell the poison and join the attack.

Even if a person tolerates hornet bites relatively easily, an inflammatory reaction develops in the area of the bite, in any case. It can be a cause of swelling and an increase in skin temperature in the wound area.

Such insignificant, at first glance, manifestations can become fatal for people prone to allergies. Modern yellow jacket control repellents help prevent this outcome and save people from unpleasant encounters with wasps.

How to Get Rid of Yellow Jackets?

There are a lot of ways to get rid of yellowjackets, including the traditional ones. However, modern control remedies can help you eliminate yellow jackets much faster and with fewer damages. Below, I place a step-by-step guide. Read it attentively.

Step 1: Eliminate the food source.

The first step is to identify the food source. Remember, it can be rubbish or anything that has a sweet smell. My recommendation is to look at the trees in your garden first. If you noticed yellow jackets flying near them, it is one of their main food sources.

Step 2: Get rid of yellow jackets.

Getting rid of yellowjackets is not so hard as getting rid of their nests. For this, I advise you to browse modern remedies. Note that their toxicity is a big misconception.

Today, on store shelves, you can find many non-toxic products that are harmful to insects, but utterly harmless to you, plants, and pets. Among them are dust, sprays, liquids, and so on.

• Dust

Dust can prevent the future appearance of yellow jackets. All you need is to apply the remedy on the plants and ground. In the vast majority of cases, it has a look of white powder that can be easily blown by the wind.

• Sprays

Unlike dust, sprays have a gaseous structure. You should apply it only in a special suit. What’s good is that sprays have a longer effect compared to dust.

• Liquid

Liquids should be only applied in special clothes as sprays. They have long-term effects and prevent the future appearance of insects. But you should clean the space where you used the product after the yellow jackets disappear.

Step 3: Get rid of yellow jacket nest

To perform this step, I strongly recommend you to purchase special protective clothes. Also, if you have an allergy, then call the professional eliminator. Do not try to do it yourself! Yellowjackets are aggressive insects, especially when someone attacks their nests. To destroy the nest, please, follow these steps:

• Wear special dress;
• During the night, go to the nest;
• Apply the spray directly to it;
• Wait a couple of seconds;
• Return to your home. You may have to do it for a couple of nights.

Best Yellow Jackets Control Remedies

In this section, let’s talk about three of the best yellow jackets control remedies. All of them are completely safe and harmless for people, pets, and your garden.

1. Drione Pest Insecticide Dust — the Best Yellow Jacket Killer Dust

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredients: Piperonyl Butoxide 10%, Pyrethrins 1%, Silica gel 40%
• Item Form: Dust
• Item Weight: 1.58 pounds
• Package Dimensions LxWxH: 13.03 x 7.8 x 5.83 inches
• Target Species: Ants, Bees, Bedbugs, Boxelder Bugs, Cadelles, Centipedes, Cheese Mites, Cigarette Beetles, Cockroaches, Spiders, Drywood Termites, Fleas, Beetles, Lice, Pillbugs, Scorpions, Tticks, Wasps, and others

Bayer, the manufacturer of this anti-yellow jacket remedy, is one of the most well-known brands on the chemical and pharmaceutical market. It was established in 1863. Today, Bayer Concern represents over 350 companies in almost all countries of the world. The number of employees is more than 100 thousand specialists.

The dust is perfect for killing not only the yellow jackets but also other insect types. The remedy targets the following insects: bees, bedbugs, boxelder bugs, cadelles, centipedes, cheese mites, cigarette beetles, cockroaches, spiders, and others.

It is essential to apply the dust with the specialized bellow hand duster (it comes with the remedy). This Drione pest insecticide dust contains three main ingredients in the nest proportions:

• Pyrethrins: 1.0%;
• Piper only Butoxide: 10.0%;
• Amorphous Silica Gel: 40.0%.

2. BASF Wasp and Hornet Insecticide — the Best Yellow Jacket Killer Spray

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BASF PT Wasp-Freeze Insecticide for Wasp, Hornet,…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Prallethrin 0.1%
• Item Form: Aerosol
• Item Weight: 1.09 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2.63 x 2.63 x 11 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets, Spiders

This BASF anti-yellow jacket spray is the solution to how to kill yellow jackets in the ground. It is not a secret that sprays are more comfortable in applying compared to dust or liquid remedies. Moreover, they are super-effective. BASF is the world’s largest chemical concern, headquartered in Germany.

Friedrich Engelhorn founded the first factory on April 6, 1865. The company is known for its environmental activities and collaborations with many universities on global warming issues.

This spray was designed especially for killing yellow jackets and honey bees. Therefore, it can kill the insects on contact up to 15 feet away. An important note: you can use the spray only outdoors. I recommended this remedy to several of my friends, who were all satisfied with the results.

3. Natural Apiary Beekeeping Suit — the Best Protection Suit for Yellow Jacket Extermination

Natural Apiary – Apiarist Beekeeping Suit -…

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Specifications:

• Material: Polycotton
• Color: White
• Strong metal YKK Zippers
• Item Weight: 2.87 pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 72 x 44 x 72 inches

Remember, I emphasized how important it is to wear special clothes if you decided to kill yellow jackets on your own? Now, I want to share with you my favorite and super-protective suit for elimination. Natural Apiary is the company specialized in manufacturing special bees equipment. They use only high-quality materials and sell their goods at affordable prices.

This suit comes in several sizes: starting from XS, ending with XXXL, and in several colors. It is made of poly-cotton fiber that is well-known for its solid and durable use. How to get rid of yellow jackets in bushes? First of all, dress up in this suit!

How to Prevent Yellow Jackets in Future?

It is believed that it is impossible to prevent the appearance of wasp nests. Insects settle where they want. However, there are ways to reduce their numbers. I will talk about three such methods:

• Method of repelling: wormwood, lemon balm, basil, geranium, and other odorous plants can repel wasps. But the method has extremely low efficiency – in the best case, insects become smaller, but they do not completely disappear;
• Lure method: you can make a yellow jacket trap with your own hands from an ordinary plastic one and a half-liter bottle, but it is worth considering in advance that you will need a lot of such bottles. Pour the bait into the bottle: beer, fermented jam, stewed fruit, honey with water, in general, everything that is sweet and odorous. But ensure there is a distance between the liquid and the neck. For effect, you can add an insecticide or boric acid to the bait. Wasps attracted by refreshments will fall into the bottle, but they will not be able to get out of it;
• Disguise Method: use a fake slot in the form of a crumpled brown kraft paper bag. Since wasps are “territorial” insects, they will not build their dwelling in another colony’s possessions. Seeing a fake nest, they decide that the site belongs to other wasps and prefer to find another place to equip their home.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Paper Wasps

FAQ: Short Answers to Summarize All the Above

In this section, I decided to put the short answers on the most popular questions about the yellow jackets.

What Do Yellow Jackets Eat?

Yellowjackets are almost omnivorous insects, which is one of their main differences from bees. However, the larvae feed exclusively on animal food, that is, other insects. Adults eat meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, insects, larvae, flower nectar, syrups, preserves, and so on.

Can You Get Rid of Yellow Jackets on Your Own?

It all depends on how many yellow jackets you have. Of course, you can first try to do it yourself by using the special pest remedies. Please, do not forget about your safety around yellow jackets, and dress up the protective clothes.

How Are Yellow Jackets Getting in My House?

Yellowjackets are very small; therefore, they can penetrate your house using various tiny holes, open doors, windows, etc.

How Much Does Yellow Jacket Extermination Cost?

The price range for yellow jacket nest removal varies from $100 to $1300. Overall, the most average price is about $375.

What First Aid Should Be Given in Case of Yellow Jacket Sting?

First of all, you need to disinfect the wound. I recommend you wash it with soap and water. After that, apply something cold to reduce the pain.

Final Thoughts

I hope the information in this article was useful for you. Now, you know how to get rid of yellow jackets in the home or yard, where they tend to build the nests, what attracts them, and how long these insects live. Also, we have taken a closer look at the two best anti wasps remedies and one suit. Have you ever faced a yellow jacket problem? How did you solve this issue? Write your answers in the comments below.

References:

• Bees and Wasps (Washington State Department of Health):
  https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Pests/BeesandWasps
• Yellowjackets (Ohio State University Extension):
  https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2075-11
• Your Safety Around Yellow Jackets (National Park Service):
  https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/yoursafety_yellowjackets.htm

There are numerous types of wasps spread in the USA. Some of them do not dwell in your area; others can bother you. That is why I, as a professional entomologist with decades of experience, decided to teach you how to get rid of paper wasps.

These insects are widespread in America and become a well-known problem for many owners of private homes with gardens. They do not mind building their nests even inside the house. And while they are helpful in the household, killing bugs that live in your house and yard, they are aggressive tenants that can easily sting people.

1. Inspect your yard for signs of paper wasps.
2. Call Professionals.
3. Wear a protective suit.
4. Use an insecticide.
5. Try natural remedies.
6. Remove the nest after you have killed or paralyzed the wasps. Wash the place where the nest was located.
7. Seal all your windows and doors. Inspect cracks in the walls.

Information on Paper Wasp Control and FAQ

Before learning how to set up paper wasp trap, let’s talk more about these insects. How different are they from other wasps? Do they sting? Paper wasps belong to the Vespid family of wasps.

They are blood siblings of yellowjackets and hornets, and probably some distant cousins of mud daubers. In North America, 22 different species of paper wasps dwell. In total, there are 300 species of these insects around the world.

These wasps are extremely territorial creatures that live in big communities and do not mind to sting anyone who seems dangerous to them. And unlike mud daubers, paper wasps sting painfully. Beware!

If you have an allergic reaction to wasps venom, you have to go to the hospital immediately. Those people who are allergic can’t come out close to the nests and need to call the pest control service. You can’t get involved in killing paper wasps in this case.

How to Identify Paper Wasp?

These insects are usually colored in dark brown. They have yellow stripes on their bodies and black wings. These stripes may be mistakenly accepted for yellow jackets’ coloring. If you can’t decide which species you see in front of you, take a look at their legs. Paper wasps have long legs, unlike other types of wasps.

Paper wasps sometimes are called umbrella wasps due to the shape of their nests. These insects create their dwellings from wood, various plants, and saliva. They mix everything to create the perfect place to lay the eggs. After the eggs are inside the cells, they seal it. From outside, it looks like paper, so now you see the origin of the name.

Unlike other wasps, these species do not hide their habitat, and people can observe what they are doing at the same moment. Larvae get out of the cells and become adult insects.

Paper Wasps Lifecycle

Paper wasps prefer to lay their eggs separately in every cell. Usually, it happens during warm seasons of the year. The eggs hatch into the legless larvae that grow into the adult species in a few stages, including pupating. A cell is always open during metamorphosis. Sterile wasps that are known as workers help to build cells. One nest may contain over 20 adult wasps.

Paper Wasp or Yellow Jacket

I can understand why you are confused here. Both of these wasps are colored in yellow and black. They belong to the same family, they sting, and they can fly. Yet, paper wasps are longer with black as a dominant color. Besides, they have longer legs. The wings of paper wasps are thinner than yellow jackets, as well as their waists. Also, yellowjackets are smaller.

Why Do Paper Wasps Appear at Your Home?

Apparently, you have attracted them somehow. But rest assured, wasps do not actually need any permission from you to enter your house. The reasons for their appearance may be completely unrelated to you. Let’s check them out:

• You live in the area of the typical habitat of paper wasps. If they live nearby, they can easily visit your household. Besides, they don’t usually live in the same nest twice. So even with paper wasp nest removal, there is no guarantee that you will not face these stinging insects again.
• They can be attracted to the source of food in your garden. Paper wasps consume small bugs, larvae of various beetles, and different caterpillars. They also may eat your crops.
• Sheltered corners that are hard to reach for humans also attract paper wasps. These insects can peacefully dwell under the roof of your house, basement, barn, or attic. They can easily make a nest under the porch.
• The insects are lured by the abandoned houses. Therefore, if you have a summer house, make sure to check it on paper wasp infestation before letting your children play inside.

Are They Dangerous?

Yes, they are, especially if you or someone from your family are allergic to the venom of wasps. In case you are not sure whether you are allergic, you have to contact your doctor and make an appointment to find it. Even if you are not allergic, the stings of these species are still painful. If you have children in your house, they may be scared by wasps as well.

They do not transfer diseases. Besides, wasps are an essential part of nature. They help to pollinate flowers and cut the number of bugs.

Getting Rid of Paper Wasps

The best way to kill paper wasps does not have to be the most dangerous one. You even don’t have to come out to the nest close. Numerous tools will help you with this procedure.

By the way, since wasps help to decrease the number of bugs in your yard, you don’t necessarily have to kill them. You can just relocate them or show that they are no longer welcome. Here are a few steps you need to perform:

Step 1. Inspect Your Yard

Carefully inspect your house both outdoors and indoors for the signs of paper wasps. Start with the trees and wide shrubs around the yard. Check out the porch, doors, attics, chimneys, and vents.

Wasps will not hide in the chimney during the winter period if you use it often, but they can make a nest during a warm period, while you are not using the chimney too much. Check out your attic.

If you have high ceilings, look around. If you are not sure where to look, just follow the paper wasp you see. It will lead you to the nest.

Step 2. Pick the Treatment

Decide which tool you want to use against the paper wasps. Treat them according to the original plan:

Call Professionals

You can call the wasp and hornet control in your area. Call them in case you have allergies or suspect that somebody in your family is allergic to the wasps’ poison.

Insecticide

Use chemicals. Insecticides are the most powerful and helpful tool against paper wasps. Usually, they contain Cyfluthrin, which is highly toxic for insects but less toxic to humans.

Warning! Make sure you wear a protective suit. If you don’t have one, just cover all your body parts with clothes which don’t have holes in them. You also have to wear glasses and gloves.

Detailed instruction on how to use insecticide:

1. Wear a beekeeping hat, if you have it. It has a veil and can protect your face. Use gloves, goggles, and cover your body with the clothes.
2. Effective wasp spray usually kills at 15 feet distance. You have to stand at least 4-5 feet away from the nest for a better result.
3. Open the bottle and push the button.
4. Wait for a day and check whether the wasps are dead.

Natural Recipes

Try natural-based remedies. Paper wasps, like many their siblings, can’t stand the vinegar. You can mix it with the water to create a trap. Insects will not be able to get out once they are inside, or you may spray the vinegar around to keep wasps away.

In case you have red paper wasps intrusion, use decoy nests of other wasps. They are extremely territorial and will not go near. Thyme, citronella, and eucalyptus are the plants that will scare wasps away as well.

Step 3. Preventive Measures

Use the paper wasp prevention. Don’t forget to remove the nest after you killed or paralyzed the wasps. Take it away, so insects will not return. Clean everything carefully.

To secure yourself and your family from these stinging insects, you don’t have to do anything extraordinary or tiresome. Even paper wasp repellent may guarantee you several weeks of protection, while all the wasps will fly away. Here are a few simple recommendations:

• Wash the place where the nest was situated after you get rid of it;
• Make sure there are no other signs of paper wasps;
• Seal all your windows and doors. Check out the cracks in the walls. If you have paper wasps in the house, there must be a way inside for them. Paper wasps can’t come through the walls;
• Take care of all the garbage as they may be attracted by it;
• Solve the problems with bugs.

Main Ingredients of Wasp Control Products

One of the widely used ingredients in chemical insecticides is diatomaceous earth, which is not that toxic but dries out wasps in no time. Insecticides may contain Cypermethrin that offers a long-lasting effect.

You need to read the instructions before you use any of the products around the house. Some of them may be applied only outdoors, while you can use others indoors as well.

Best Paper Wasp Treatments

This is my personal list of favorite tools against paper wasps. I decided to make it as detailed as possible, based on my experience. Take a look at this list and pay attention to the pros and cons before you buy the product.

1. BASF 597802 PT Wasp-Freeze II – Powerful Paper Wasp Insecticide for Outdoors

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BASF PT Wasp-Freeze Insecticide for Wasp, Hornet,…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Prallethrin 0.1%
• Item Form: Aerosol
• Item Weight: 1.09 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2.63 x 2.63 x 11 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets, Spiders

The 597802 PT Wasp-Freeze II by BASF will kill all the wasps and bees in 15 feet area. It contains powerful chemicals and acts immediately. There is a detailed instruction on the bottle. You have to read it together with the Caution info. The bottle is comfortable to hold and use. It is lightweight of 1.09 pounds.

You have to wear a protective mask on your face while spraying it and avoid contact with your bare skin. The product works splendidly on hornets, bees, and spiders as well. BASF company specializes in insecticides for indoors and outdoors.

2. Tempo Dust Insecticide BA1011 – Easy to Apply Paper Wasp Control

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The Tempo Dust Insecticide BA1011 by Bayer is a perfect tool against paper wasps both outdoors and indoors. It kills numerous pests, apart from paper wasps. The product works on stinging insects in no time. The dimensions of this insecticide are 2.5 x 3.8 x 9.6 inches. It weighs only 1.3 pounds.

The product is extremely popular on the market. It is easy to apply and comfortable to hold. If the wasps in the nest are still alive, you have to repeat the procedure. Make sure your hands and face are covered. You don’t have to sprinkle it inside the nest; you can use the insecticide around it. Bayer also offers various tools for your house that you may find helpful.

Related Post: Best Wasp Killing Powders Reviewed

3. Ortho Home Defense Hornet & Wasp Killer – the Professional Foam Paper Wasp Killer

Ortho Home Defense Hornet & Wasp Killer7 For…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Tetramethrin 0.20%, Sumithrin 0.20%
• Item Form: Aerosol Foam
• Item Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2.6 x 9.8 x 2.6 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Hornets

The Home Defense Hornet & Wasp Killer by Ortho was created to kill hornets, mud daubers, yellow jackets, and paper wasps. It entraps wasps limiting their movements at the same time it is applied. The product has a comfortable system of the application. You can keep the safe distance while using the insecticide to the nest of 20 feet above the ground.

This tool will kill all the wasps that return to the nest. You can also spray it around the doors and windows. Home Defense Hornet & Wasp Killer was created by Ortho, a company famous for pest control measures.

FAQ

Are Paper Wasps Dangerous?

Yes, they can be pretty dangerous for people who suffer from allergies on the venom of wasps. They can sting painfully. These insects are aggressive towards any possible threats. They can sting you, your children, or your pets. Once they are near your house, you have to get rid of them.

Do Paper Wasp Sting?

They are more “vicious” than many of their relatives. They can sting painfully and attack you while you are expecting it the least. Unlike mud daubers, for example, they protect their nests vigorously. If you have found their nest, do not come near it with the bare skin. Don’t try to control paper wasps. Put long shirts and pants to protect your legs.

When Is the Best Time to Kill Wasps?

The best time to get rid of these insects is somewhere close to the sunrise or at dusk. They are not as active then as during the day. After you learn how to kill paper wasps and pick the perfect treatment, you have to wait until it acts. Don’t hurry up. Remember that if you wake them up, wasps can become aggressive, so always apply protective measures.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Cicada Killer Wasps

What Attracts Paper Wasps?

Almost everything can attract paper wasps in your house, especially if they leave nearby and are looking for a new place to build their nest. It may be food, leftovers, plants, trees, bushes, the mess in your yard, abandoned barns, garage, open window, or door. You can make sure that there are no holes in your house walls and don’t forget to close the doors and windows.

Consider All the Options

Before you decide which method is more beneficial for you and your current situation, I advise you to consider everything that was said above. Pay attention to the information about paper wasps. They are not that useless as you may think, and may help you to cut the number of caterpillars and other bugs in the yard.

I made an emphasis on the dangers of coming close to the nest without protective clothes. In the comments below, please tell your own story of struggling with paper wasps. Don’t forget to mention whether you used one of the products I described.

References:

• Vespidae (HYMENOPTERA, Vespidae (Stephens) – (Vespoidea)):
  https://faculty.ucr.edu/~legneref/identify/vespid.htm
• Yellowjackets Vespula Wasps (Missouri Department of Conservation):
  https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/yellowjackets-vespula-wasps
• Wasp and Hornet Control (University of Idaho):
  https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/CIS/CIS1218.pdf
• Controlling Paper Wasps in and Around Structures (NC State Extension Publications):
  https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/controlling-paper-wasps-in-and-around-structures

Every apartment or village house owner has faced the problem with wasps at least once. Occasionally, wasps fly onto the balcony, and do not present a problem in most cases — it is enough to open the window and let them out.

Product

Best Natural Wasp Repellent Spray

Best Fake Hornet Nest Wasp Deterrent

Title

Wondercide – Indoor Pest Control Spray for Home and Kitchen – Ant, Roach, Spider, Fly, Flea, Bug…

Waspinator Waspinator – Set of 3

AIRCROW Wasp Out™ Fake Hornet’s Nest Decoy Wasp Deterrent Outdoor Hanging Waterproof Material

Price

$36.99

–

$19.99

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Pros

Natural components only.

Non-toxic.

Durable.

My review

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Best Natural Wasp Repellent Spray

Product

Title

Wondercide – Indoor Pest Control Spray for Home and Kitchen – Ant, Roach, Spider, Fly, Flea, Bug…

Price

$36.99

Prime

Pros

Natural components only.

My review

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Best Fake Hornet Nest Wasp Deterrent

Product

Title

Waspinator Waspinator – Set of 3

Price

–

Prime

–

Pros

Non-toxic.

My review

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Check Latest Price

Product

Title

AIRCROW Wasp Out™ Fake Hornet’s Nest Decoy Wasp Deterrent Outdoor Hanging Waterproof Material

Price

$19.99

Prime

–

Pros

Durable.

My review

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You can go with the easiest and most reliable way to get rid of wasps in your house — these are repellents or deterrents. A repellent is a synthetic or natural remedy that repels wasps. These products work by emitting an unpleasant odor for insects. Repellents are designed to deter wasps but not to kill them. The peculiarity of this type of protection is that wasp prevention spray can be applied directly to the nest.

What Is so Dangerous About Wasps?

In late August and early September, wasps and bees literally become predators, and no one is safe from their attack. Therefore, everyone should know how to behave after a bite.

After the attack, a hornet or wasp emits 0.2-0.3 mg of poison. A wound is visible at the site of the bite, sometimes with a protruding sting. Redness and swelling appear around it. For most people, the bite of a single wasp is not dangerous. The exception is people who are allergic to wasp venom.

The bite of even one insect for allergy sufferers is fraught with serious consequences up to anaphylactic shock. Therefore, people suffering from this kind of allergy should always have antihistamines with them. By the way, 1 person out of 250 people can have hypersensitivity to wasp poison.

The reaction of the body to a wasp sting largely depends on the place where the insect bit. The most dangerous are bites on the face, especially on the larynx or tongue, as they can lead to suffocation. In such cases, you should immediately go to the doctor.

If more than three wasps bite you, then attend a doctor immediately. In such cases, a general toxic reaction of the body occurs; therefore, you will need qualified assistance.

A bite of 500 wasps is considered to be fatal to humans. If there is no allergy, even with the hypersensitivity to wasp or hornet venom, one or several bites can cause a severe allergic reaction. The symptoms are increased temperature, headache, nausea, vomiting, urticaria, asthma, and a decrease in blood pressure.

Especially dangerous is if a wasp stings you in the mouth. In these cases, death can occur very quickly from swelling of the larynx and further suffocation.

Top 4 Best Wasp Repellents

1. Wondercide Natural Products
2. Waspinator Waspinator
3. AIRCROW Wasp Out™ Fake Hornet’s Nest Decoy Wasp Deterrent
4. Outward Creations Wasp Nest Decoy

A wasp and hornet repellent is a quite effective type of product in combating wasp nests and, especially, while dealing with those insects settled in hard-to-reach places of your home. Basically, you have to spray a large amount of the product into the spot where the nest is.

Approximately after an hour, the insects will die in the nest sprayed with the wasp insecticide. However, be careful – some may still be alive, do not meddle into the nest or crevice with bare hands.

1. Wondercide – Best Natural Wasp Repellent Spray

Wondercide – Indoor Pest Control Spray for Home…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredients: Cedarwood Oil (4.2%), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (Derived from Plants) (2.2%), Peppermint Oil (1.5%), Sesame Oil (0.1%)
• Item Weight: 2.31 Pounds
• Coverage: 32 oz. bottle treats up to 400 sq.ft.
• Product Dimensions LxWxH: 11.3 x 5 x 4.37 inches
• Target Species: Flying, Crawling, Biting and Stinging Pests Including Ants, Roaches, Spiders, Flies,Fleas, Ticks, Wasps, Scorpions, Mosquitoes, Fruit Flies, Silverfish, Moths, Gnats, Carpet Beetles, Earwigs, Palmetto Bugs, Waterbugs

Wondercide Spray is a multifunctional pet-friendly wasp prevention solution for any type of insects including cockroaches, spiders, midges, flies, ticks, wasps, scorpions, bugs, mosquitoes, ants, fruit flies, moths, carpet beetles, auricles, palmetto beetles, and fleas.

This repellent is the perfect protection for you, your children, and pets. It’s created for usage at home and, especially, is effective in the kitchen area.

You should not worry about your safety because Wondercide consists of only natural essential oil ingredients. You better use it twice a week because the ingredients overall are powerful enough and will deter all the insects in your house.

Despite its strong scent, people and pets are allowed to be nearby. The repellent works only on wasps and other insects because they have a sensitive sense of smell.

Besides, the important part is that Wondercide is a multi-purpose spray, and you may use it to kill carpet, furniture, bedding, and flooring fleas. It does not just deter but immediately kills them.

Because Wondercide consists of only natural ingredients, it is much better than any chemical poison, or fake traps that may harm people or pets. It does not include any synthetic pesticides or artificial fragrances and is absolutely safe for children too. I believe this is a crucial factor when buying such repellents. It is good to deter insects but you have to remember about your health and everyone around you.

The great bonus is the manufacturer created different scents for any taste, such as cedar, peppermint, rosemary, and lemongrass. This is even better than I would imagine before the purchase.

2. Best Fake Hornet Nest Wasp Deterrent: Waspinator

Waspinator Waspinator – Set of 3

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Specifications:

• Without toxic chemicals
• Number of Pieces: 3 
• Item Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Product Dimensions LxWxH: 9.3 x 8.2 x 2 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Yellow Jackets and Hornets

Waspinator is a new era deterrent – a fake hornet’s nest to scary wasps. It is ecologically friendly and safe for people and pets. The reason is the deterrent does not consist of any chemical ingredients. This is a great imitation of a real hornet’s nest.

When wasps see this item, they are afraid that hornets living in the nest may attack them, so they leave forever. Wasps will never intrude in other insects’ territory. The product does not kill any insect, which is important for nature.

You better put it in the yard or in the place where you have seen wasps before. You may use a few Waspinators at the same time in different places for better results.

3. AIRCROW-Be Safe with Fake Hornet’s Nest

AIRCROW Wasp Out™ Fake Hornet’s Nest Decoy Wasp…

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Specifications:

• Without toxic chemicals
• Material: Durable Foam
• Item Weight: 2.39 ounces
• Product Dimensions LxWxH: 7 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Target Species: Wasps

AIRCROW is a fake hornet nest suitable for use in any weather conditions. It is created with durable and waterproof foam. The 100% eco ingredients allow people, pets, and even children to be around this repellent and feel safe.

I find that the most common places to install AIRCROW are garages, backyards, patios, boat buildings, and hummingbird feeders. The wasps will never feel the difference between this fake nest and the real one because they won’t even approach it as they are afraid of hornets.

It is totally okay to put one fake nest in your household if you notice only a small amount of wasps near your house. As AIRCROW doesn’t have an expiration date, you will definitely use it for years. Therefore, I believe this is a good investment in your health for the future.

4. Outward Creations: Safe Alternative Wasps Repellent

Outward Creations Wasp Nest Decoy – 3 Pack -…

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Specifications:

• Number of Pieces: 3 
• Material: Paper
• Item Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Product Dimensions LxWxH: 6 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Target Species: Wasps

An Outward repellent is an innovative tool to fight with aggressive wasps. This is a great safe alternative to the chemical deterrents that may cause harm to your health. You can put it anywhere you want, in open spaces, terraces, patios, and tents places.

Moreover, you will find 3 repellents in the package! It means you can locate all of them in different places near your house to get rid of wasps as soon as possible.

The main advantage of Outward is its safe ingredients. The nest is made of soap liquid and lasting paper which means its safety for the whole family, including pets. You don’t need to waste a lot of time to set up this repellent, simply hang this item on a tree or any other elevated surface.

A Comprehensive Guide

Repellents are used to scare away wasps, bees, hornets, etc. There are three main types:

• Fumigants. They affect the nerve endings of the olfactory organs of insects.
• Contact. This type affects the taste organs of insects in direct contact with the treated surface.
• Deodorizing (for example, lemon or clove oil). These repellents destroy or neutralize odors that attract insects.
• Wasp repellent for skin. It is an insect deterrent that you may spray on your skin, and it will drive away not only wasps but other insects too.

How to Deter Wasps

Wasps are attracted by sour and sweet smells. These insects enter a living room through open windows and doors. It is recommended to fight wasps with the help of traditional remedies recipes. You should wipe the frames and window sills with different decoctions, as well as leave small pieces of cotton wool there, after soaking them in the decoction.

Using vinegar wasp repellent, you can deter wasps quickly. From my expertise, I’ve studied that in the afternoon the wasps went down, so it would be safer to do this process at night time. You need to take 1 teaspoon of vinegar and dilute it in a glass of cold water. In order to achieve a rich aroma, cotton wool must be soaked in concentrated vinegar poured in a saucer.

You can get rid of the wasps’ nest permanently with essential oil wasp repellent. The product must be applied to window frames with the help of the dotted method in the openings between the glasses.

Also, spray this liquid to the outer sides of the walls and the area near the nest. The smell of essential oil is pleasant for a person, so you can spray it in the entire living room. For wasps, the aroma of lavender, basil, geranium, mint, and lemon balms are unpleasant.

Related Post: Best Wasp Killer Powders: Are They Effective?

What Repels Wasps Naturally

Through my 10-years experience, I have discovered that a natural deterrent for wasps which includes the pungent odors such as the aroma of mint scares these insects the most.

Some summer residents believe that these plants can fight mosquitoes, but this is not always effective. If you plant the wormwood near the house, this can reduce the number of insects. However, dangerous wasps and hungry mosquitoes will still penetrate your home and harm people. You can repel wasps with chemical odors such as:

• ethyl alcohol;
• gasoline;
• kerosene.

Before you proceed to getting rid of wasps’ nests with the natural wasp repellent, you need to choose the right strategy. You can buy a garden spray gun and spread kerosene, diesel fuel, and gasoline near the nest. For those who prefer natural deterrents for wasps, I recommend using some plants and herbs.

FAQ

How to Keep Wasps from Returning?

These insects have the habit of returning to their old place. Therefore, be sure to inspect the attic in the country house and to cut all the bay nests with a sharp knife in the spring season. Such an inspection is best done in early spring when all the insects are still sleeping in secluded places. In addition, I would recommend treating old places of wasps dislocations with the peroxide solution and potassium permanganate.

Related Post: Best Wasp and Hornet Traps Reviewed.

Remember that it is forbidden to fight a large and aggressive flock of hornets or wasps on your own. You should definitely call the emergency services only professionals can remove the nest.

How to Make Wasp Repellent?

There are plenty of homemade organic wasp repellent liquids. I want to share one of them with you that is quite popular among home gardeners like me.

Mix 2-4 tablespoons (30-60 ml) of shampoo or liquid soap with hot water (500 ml) in a spray bottle. The combination of these two components will kill the wasps instantly when you sprinkle this solution directly on them. Soap envelops the wasp and dehydrates it.

Do Fake Hornet Nests Repel Wasps?

Each hornet family is “assigned” to its own territory. Therefore, having discovered a strange nest, insects try to avoid it. You can take advantage of this feature when controlling wasps by creating a fake nest. Just crumple a paper bag for sandwiches and hang it on a tree at about your height. This trick has one drawback: as soon as the wasps realize that the nest is not real, they will stop avoiding it.

Does Citronella Repel Wasps?

Citronella is a perennial repellent plant, the oil of which is added to chemicals that repel insects. It has a very bright citrus smell, so wasps primarily respond to it. The aroma of the plant repels insects much more than chemicals.

Be Careful – Prepare Beforehand with the Best Wasp Deterrent

Wasps in the country is a fairly common occurrence. Of course, they interfere with the normal organization of life. However, in situations where their abundance poses a threat to the normal life of the owners of a house, getting rid of these dangerous insects with the best wasp repellent becomes the only right decision.

Fortunately, in today’s world, there is no shortage of wasp repellents, and people may use them without any harmful effects for themselves. If you still doubt that you need to get rid of wasps, let’s recall the harm they cause:

• Wasps harm fruit harvest in a summer house or in the garden.
• Wasps or hornets can be a vector of infections.
• The insects inflict acute pain with their bites and can attack for no apparent reason.
• Wasp venom can cause a severe allergic reaction, even death is possible.

I wish everyone would repel such dangerous insects as soon as possible because this is an important matter of taking care of human health.

Maybe, you have already tried some of my recommended repellents and want to share your experience? What is your favorite way of deterring wasps? Don’t hesitate and leave a comment on what you find the most useful about my article!

References:

• The Afternoon the Wasps Went Down (Department of Natural Resources):
  https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/OI/Pages/BPTheAfternoontheWaspsWentDown.aspx
• Getting rid of wasps’ nests (Michigan State University Extension):
  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/getting_rid_of_wasps_nests
• Controlling Wasps, Hornets, and Yellowjackets (by Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist University of Kentucky College of Agriculture):
  https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef620

Every householder experienced hard times getting rid of wasps in the house or outside. It is unbelievable that these insects appear in your life every spring and summer season.

I’ve tried plenty of wasp control products, including natural and non-chemical sprays and wasp traps. I have tried plenty of methods on how to deal with wasps and discovered 6 TOP insect killers that will help you get rid of wasps outside and inside your house.

Besides, I have examined questions about how to distinguish different types of wasps and how to prevent their return to old nests. Take a look at my detailed guide on wasps and make a deliberate choice of the best killers to destroy these buzzing insects.

Wasps Identification

Probably, you are aware of the appearance of a classic wasp – it is an insect with black and yellow stripes. The length of the body of a wasp can range from 0.6 to 4 inches. There are wasps with four webbed wings as well as there exist wingless wasps.

The belly resembles a spindle or barrel covered with hairs. A narrow waist divides the body and makes it possible to bite the victim at any angle. Wasp venom comes out of the sting at the end of the abdomen.

Wasps Lifecycle

The wasps live two lives, I’d even say. The paradox is that the life cycle of wasps is pretty similar to how bees live. The only difference is about the female wasp. It lives alone in the winter period, then she creates the whole family again.

Thus, the lifespan of sexually mature individuals, which are the main subjects of the life cycle, is about four years. This is at maximum luckiness of the uterus of the wasps family. Most males die after base pairing, so their life expectancy is even shorter than of working females.

Common Species

All kinds of wasps belong to different pest insect families. The 3 most common species among them are paper wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets.

Paper wasps are commonly known insects with black and yellow stripes. Their round nests can often be seen on the walls of houses, or in the attics. Moreover, paper wasps build their nests in a quite interesting manner: for its construction, wasps use paper (that’s how they got the name). They produce it with wood fibers, chewing it afterward, and gluing its fibers with saliva.

The hornet is the largest of the public wasps, its dimensions reach 55 mm in length.

The appearance of the yellow jacket mostly resembles a bee with small body size and yellow stripes on its abdomen. However, they have neither brown hair on the body nor pollen basket on the hind legs, which is important to notice in order to identify them.

Wasps vs Bees, Yellow Jacket vs Wasp, Hornet vs Wasp – Do You Know What’s the Difference?

Bees and Wasps

• Externally, a wasp differs from a bee in a more slender body and a less dense hair.
• Wasps do not collect pollen and do not pollinate plants, unlike bees, the main purpose of which in nature is to pollinate flowers.
• All kinds of bees produce honey. Among wasps, only some species can do this.
• Bees can be found curling near flowers – woody or decorative, near flowering garden crops, and also near water (in villages near water tanks or water taps).
• Wasps twist most often near sweet ripe fruits on fruit trees, as well as around rotten vegetables and any products on the street. Like flies, they curl near raw meat, fish, and even rotten food waste.

Yellow Jacket vs Wasp

• Yellowjackets are limited to only two genera, while wasps generally include many genera.
• Wasps are comparatively larger than yellow jackets.
• The color of yellow jackets is very similar to bees, although not all wasps feature this color.
• Wasps are mostly parasitic, and yellow jackets are predatory.
• Yellowjackets fly quickly sideways just before landing, while not all wasps do this.

How Is a Hornet Different from a Wasp?

A hornet is larger than a wasp by its body size – the length of the hornets’ body can be more than five centimeters.

Hornets and wasps use different material to build a nest:

• The wasp uses thin fibers of trees to build the nests. In appearance, the nest resembles a round bundle of paper with numerous parallel layers, the honeycombs of which are located on the underside of the layer. The hornets use the same method of construction, but the material for use is from rotted fibers of trees and stumps.
• The hornet’s bite is very painful, with the release of a strong concentration of paralytic poison. They attack a person only in case of danger to their life. A wasp refers to the insect with aggressive behavior. Its characteristic features are importunity and the ability to sting at any time. In this case, a wasp does not die.

Potential Wasps Dangers

A black wasp in the house is highly active in the summer months and in early September. The poison contained in the sting and the oral apparatus may cause a danger to humans. If this wasp stings several times, the concentration of histamine will be very high.

If a person is often attacked by wasps, they run the risk of getting a severe allergy with every bite. The reaction of the body and its severity varies depending on the concentration of the poison, the number of bites applied, and the tendency to allergies.

The most common consequences after wasps stings are:

• Acute and sharp pain (it resembles a burn), which increases in several seconds after the attack;
• The appearance of redness around the site of the bite;
• A stung place swells strongly around;
• Along with the pain, itching appears and increases, but this reaction remains longer than the pain.

Wasp Signs and How to Inspect the Property for Them

Although the habitats of wasps depend on belonging to a certain species, they still have a general preference to settle closer to a person, since we are a constant source of food.

Because of this, the first step to inspect the territory for them is to build paper nests (the material for which is produced independently from wood and their own saliva, so the need of wood is also important) right before your eyes: in the garden, on the roof, or porch.

You can put any possible sweet foods left inside it such as honey products, jam, fruit leftovers, and so on. Wasps will smell them if they are on your territory, and you’ll notice whether they live in your household or not. However, some wasps build a nest for themselves from tiny stones, fastening them with mud, or from clay.

How to Get Rid of Wasps: a Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare Yourself for Safety

Any garden work requires compliance with personal safety, and the extermination of hornets and wasps nests is not the exception. It is necessary to remember several basic rules that will help in the fight against wasps:

• It is better to fight these insects late in the evening when they are already “sleeping”.
• You cannot use lanterns – the insects can perceive the light from the searchlights as sunlight and start their hunt ahead of time.
• Prepare tight ammunition consisting of a canvas suit, rubber boots, glasses, rubberized gloves, and a hat.
• Use paralyzing smoke, and wasps will lose mobility. Then you can safely eliminate the nest itself.
• Think of escape routes. Wasps are unpredictable creatures, and when the whole family understands the reason for the invasion, it will not be possible to leave the territory painlessly.
• Prepare the anti-allergic medications recommended by your doctor for a wasp sting. Even if there is no allergy, drugs may come in handy.
• Familiarize yourself with traditional methods for the pain relief of wasp stings – this may turn out to be timely and necessary help.

By using adequate ways to deal with wasps, you will protect yourself and your crop from these intrusive insects.

Step 2: Identify the Nests

If it is not possible to determine the presence of the nest visually, and the insects are disturbing you, then it is worth leaving fruit or pieces of meat in a visible place. By observing where wasps take their booty, you will most likely be able to determine the place of their permanent location.

The size of the constructed nest can range from the diameter of a tennis ball to a basketball one, and in some cases – even more. Regardless of the location, the nests are built in the form of a horizontal structure, the cells of which are facing down with their entrances.

Trying to get rid of a wasp nest, you don’t have to stand directly under it, otherwise, an angry swarm of wasps will attack its offender immediately.

Step 3: Identify the Species

As I have mentioned earlier, these insects are representatives of the Hymenoptera species. It is enough to look at an ordinary domestic (public) wasp to see that between the belly and the wasps’ chest there is a narrow section.

This unique anatomical feature of wasps allows them to fold their own body almost in half; also, it enables the process of attacking the victim from any convenient angle. The body of adults protects a strong chitinous cover. The head remains very mobile. The color of the wasps is striking in its diversity: some individuals are found with both richly black, turquoise, or purple colors.

Step 4: Get Rid of Wasps

Once you have identified the pests nest, the most important stage is ahead – getting rid of the unwanted wasps. You should not delay and postpone the procedure of the destruction of wasps because they breed quickly. There are a few most common methods of how to kill wasps:

Burn the Nest

The wasp’s nest is built of chewed wood bark. It looks like cardboard in its qualities and structure and burns down in just a few seconds. To do this, you need to take gasoline, pour an object over it, and bring the fire. This method is simple but dangerous, it can ignite the building and result in the fire.

Do not use the fire if the nest is located on a ceiling sheathed in wood, or under easily ignited material. It is advisable to burn wasps on a stone wall, in an earthen hole, or in large industrial warehouses. This method is not suitable for ground wasp removal.

Insecticides for Wasp Control:

• Gels. Often, gels can be used to kill cockroaches and exterminate wasps.
• Powders. Insecticide wasp powders are some of the most effective remedies. Sometimes they are used as bait – in the case with wasps, the powder is mixed with a treat for insects (boric acid is also suitable for this).
• Concentrates. You have to dilute them and pour into a spray bottle to use in a proper way. Such tools are inexpensive but very effective.
• Aerosols. You don’t have to ask what kills wasps anymore because ready-to-use wasp aerosols will instantly solve your problem with these annoying insects. In this case, you will need to buy a bottle with a sprayer and eliminate wasps’ nests with it. I consider this method as the best way to get rid of wasps because they act instantly and safely for human and pet health.
• Bait for wasps. Their action is based on the taste preferences of the wasp. The insecticide for wasp control has to be mixed with jam or syrup.

Traps

Traps are effective, they are the same as baits but work without poison. As soon as wasps get inside a trap, they cannot leave it and die inside from the dehydration. They are sold in specialized stores, online stores, and you can make them yourself. This is considered as one of the natural ways to get rid of wasps.

To do this, follow the instructions:

• Take a bottle of plastic and unscrew the lid;
• Cut off about a third from the top;
• Pour the bait inside and close with the lid.

You can place a homemade trap anywhere outside or under the roof of the house. Wasps that are caught inside will not be able to find a way out and will die eventually.

Best Wasps Control Remedies

In this section, I want to present my TOP 6 wasps treatment collection. I have studied each of the items in detail to understand which products are better to use for different purposes.

1. AIRCROW: Best Fake Nest Wasp Deterrent

AIRCROW Wasp Out™ Fake Hornet’s Nest Decoy Wasp…

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Specifications:

• Without toxic chemicals
• Material: Durable Foam
• Item Weight: 2.39 ounces
• Product Dimensions LxWxH: 7 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Target Species: Wasps

This fake nest is a bit different from other usual wasps deterrents. It looks highly authentic as compared to the natural wasp’s nest. The main benefit of such repellent is it’s natural and non-toxic materials which makes it safe for use both indoors and outdoors.

AIRCROW doesn’t require killing wasps, and it is great for the environment. You may use this deterrent for many years because it doesn’t have the expiration date. Moreover, due to the water-resistance of the material, it’s almost impossible to damage the AIRCROW.

2. Tempo Dust: Best Wasp Powder

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The insecticidal dust comes in a ready-to-use formulation which consists of a very dry inert carrier. It kills not only wasps but other crawling insects such as bed bugs, ants, roaches, and fleas. It is useful to use for cracks and crevices, wall voids, and spot treatments.

Tempo Dust is designed especially for places that are difficult to reach. The wasp’s powder has longer residual action which helps to eliminate wasps constantly till they all are gone from your household. This wasps killer is safe to use even near the electrical outlets because it doesn’t include any moisture.

3. BASF Wasp Freeze: Best Wasp Spray

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BASF PT Wasp-Freeze Insecticide for Wasp, Hornet,…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Prallethrin 0.1%
• Item Form: Aerosol
• Item Weight: 1.09 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2.63 x 2.63 x 11 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets, Spiders

You may wonder if it’s possible to kill the wasps and other insects instantly. In this case, Wasp Freezer will help you to deal with this issue. This is an outdoor use spray that knockdowns wasps on a distance up to 15 feet away.

It means that BASF company wasp treatment spray is safe for use, and the killing action is so quick that the insects don’t have enough time to release the stinging pheromone. The residual action helps to eliminate the whole nest. Even in case some of the wasps are not in the nest when you spray it, they will die as soon as they return.

4. Demon Max: Pro Insecticide

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Syngenta 070294125000 Demon Max Insecticide,…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Cypermethrin 25.3%
• Item Volume: 16 fl. oz.
• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2.05 x 4.35 x 8 inches
• Target Species: Ants, Ant Mounds, Asian Cockroaches, Bark Beetles, Bees, Borers, Boxelder Bugs, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Centipedes, Chiggers, Chinch Bugs, Cockroaches, Crickets, Earwigs, Elm Leaf Beetles, Fire Ants, Firebrats, Fleas, Flies, Ground Beetles, Gypsy Moths, Millipedes, Mole Crickets, Mosquitoes, Pillbugs, Scorpions, Silverfish, Sowbugs, Spiders, Ticks, Wasps, Wood Infesting Beetles, and others

Demon Max is the perfect product to use indoor and outdoor. It is a multipurpose treatment for wasp, termite, and general professional pests control. Because it may be used to kill different insects and mosquitoes, you have a chance to cope with all the pests in your household at once.

The package is equipped with a special measurement reservoir that helps to control the amount of the insecticide that you have to apply. It is very convenient because, sometimes, people may over-apply the treatment, which may harm their health. The instructions on the bottle describe in detail how to get rid of wasps quicker with Demon Max.

5. RESCUE!: Best Wasp Trap

RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap – Includes…

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Specifications:

• Material: Plastic
• Item Form: Trap
• Item Weight: 0.05 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 10 x 3.5 x 3.75 inches
• Target Species: Fly, Wasp

This wasp trap impresses by its innovative approach to killing wasps. RESCUE! has a non-toxic attractant that catches wasps and yellowjackets and kills them inside. You don’t need to spray anything because wasps will be attracted to this trap by themselves.

This trap doesn’t require daily maintenance and can be used for months. This product is safe for everyone who is around since it doesn’t consist of any chemicals. The wasps and yellowjackets die inside the trap because of the dehydration as they become trapped in the closed cylinder.

6. Wondercide: Best Natural Wasp Repellent

Wondercide – Indoor Pest Control Spray for Home…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredients: Cedarwood Oil (4.2%), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (Derived from Plants) (2.2%), Peppermint Oil (1.5%), Sesame Oil (0.1%)
• Item Weight: 2.31 Pounds
• Coverage: 32 oz. bottle treats up to 400 sq.ft.
• Product Dimensions LxWxH: 11.3 x 5 x 4.37 inches
• Target Species: Flying, Crawling, Biting and Stinging Pests Including Ants, Roaches, Spiders, Flies,Fleas, Ticks, Wasps, Scorpions, Mosquitoes, Fruit Flies, Silverfish, Moths, Gnats, Carpet Beetles, Earwigs, Palmetto Bugs, Waterbugs

This wasp repellent is made for indoor use. This is especially essential for those who spend most of the time with kids and pets at home. It doesn’t consist of any harsh chemicals; therefore, Wondercide is safe for human and pets health.

This spray reduces costs for pest control services because it kills them as well as professionals. For quick and easy protection, treat common places in your home where wasps or any other insects may come from, such as baseboards, areas under sinks, around windows, and doors.

How to Prevent Wasps

In the case of the first signs of annoying buzzing wasps, it is necessary to take preventive measures immediately, without waiting until the problem grows to a significant scale.

If there are gaps in which insects can settle, they need to be repaired. Fruit trees are recommended to be planted away from home so as not to attract wasps to it. It is also important to collect rotting carrion in time as it is attracting them with a fruity smell.

Open trash bins attract wasps by leftovers inside, so don’t forget to close them. It is necessary to promptly remove food from the table, and cover the trash with a tight lid to deal with wasps eventually.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Mud Dauber Wasps

FAQ

How to Find a Wasp Nest Outside?

Searching and checking all the corners for the wasp’s nests is a boring and long story, even if the territory of the household is small. A method for detecting a nest has long been invented, for this, you need to monitor the wasps.

The method is simple: in an open place accessible by these insects, you need to put a piece of meat, fish, and wait for the wasps to fly to it. After carefully monitoring the trajectory of the insects, it will become clear how to get rid of wasps more effectively. Follow them where they are going, and you will find their nests location, which will help you to get rid of wasps outside.

How to Get Rid of Red Wasps When You Can’t Find the Nest?

To get rid of red wasps nests is not always easy because usually, they place nests in hardly accessible to the human eye locations. Insects choose the places where it will be quite difficult to find them. In these cases, I have prepared some tips for finding pests for you:

1. Prepare a piece of fish, meat, or some sweet fruit;
2. Put it in a place that is constantly insight so that it is convenient to observe insects;
3. Wait until the wasps find a treat and trace the trajectory of their movement;
4. Insects constantly fly between the nest and the treat, so finding and getting rid of red wasps is not difficult in this way.

Do Wasps Come Back After the Nest Is Gone?

Wasps do not return to the gray nests remaining from the summer, even if they are large and multi-layered. Therefore, winter is the right time for the safe removal of wasp’s nests. Also, try to remove dry foliage, sawn trees, and decayed stumps from the site in the fall.

Remove all slate boards and pieces from the ground. Pour compost heaps thoroughly with boiling water. However, you should remember, although wasps do not return to old places, they build new ones near the previous nests.

How Far Do Wasps Travel From Their Nest?

Social wasps are “attached” to their home. Wasps fly away from it only during the day, preferring to sleep at home. It is the time that is considered the most favorable for spraying wasp nests with pesticides to kill the insects. Wasps fly out at a distance of no more than 100 meters from the home they have built. Two reasons to leave their nests are:

• Searching for food;
• The danger of the nest to be damaged.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Cicada Killer Wasps

How to Get Rid of a Wasp Nest?

Getting rid of wasps by different methods depends on the location of the nests. If the nest is far from the house and the buildings, you can simply douse it with fuel and set on fire. Paper wasps will burn out with all the inhabitants instantly. The method of decoy wasp nest with fire is quick but dangerous.

Before applying, make sure that the fire does not pass onto dry grass or wood. When it is difficult to get to the nest and knock it down quickly, you should cover it with a dense bag with cotton wool or rags moistened with an insecticide, and keep closed. Wait until all the inhabitants die, then tear off the nest, and destroy it.

Be Sure – Now You Know Everything About Wasps

The most important thing with wasp infestation is not to forget about the precautionary measures and perform the work strictly according to the recommendations of experienced gardeners and pest control. Now you know how dangerous wasps are for people and how to distinguish them in appearance, as well as what could be the consequences of wasps poison.

But the most important thing is that you are aware of the 6 TOP products that kill wasp nests immediately. You no longer have to try hundreds of different methods and suffer from wasp stings as you already know how to safely kill a wasp.

Have you had any problems with getting rid of wasps in the house? How did you fight them? Share your experience on the most effective wasp extermination methods in the comments!

References:

• Wasps and bees (University of Minnesota Extension):
  https://extension.umn.edu/insects-infest-homes/wasps-and-bees
• Bees and Wasps (University of Missouri Extension):
  https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g7391
• Bees, Wasps, and Hornets (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health):
  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/insects/beeswasphornets.html
• Identify the pest (Manchester City Council):
  https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/info/431/pest_control/6489/identify_the_pest/6
• Wasps and hornets: information and advice (Hastings Borough Council):
  https://www.hastings.gov.uk/environmentalhealth/pestcontrol/wasps/

If you are looking for the best wasp killer powder, you came to the right place. Unlike bees, wasps are not that peaceful and don’t offer you honey for the inconvenience. Only a few rare species can be pollinators, but it is unlikely that you will meet them in your neighborhood.

Wasps are dangerous for people, especially for those who are allergic to their venom, which is almost 2 million Americans. Each year authorities confirm up to 100 deaths from an allergic reaction on the stinging insects.

And many more deaths are excluded from the list mainly due to being mistakenly diagnosed as heart attacks or sunstrokes. This is why it is crucial to take measures once you saw their nests.

Product

Title

1 LB Delta Dust Pest Insecticide w/Puffer Bellow Hand Duster, Carpenter Bee, Bedbugs, Wasp Control…

Rockwell CimeXa Insecticide Dust (2) 4 oz. Bottles

Sevin Ready-to-Use 5 Percentage Dust, 3 Pack, 1 LB Each

Price

$61.99

$26.80

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Pros

Kills various insects, including bees and ants.

Powerful components inside.

Safe for plants.

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Product

Title

1 LB Delta Dust Pest Insecticide w/Puffer Bellow Hand Duster, Carpenter Bee, Bedbugs, Wasp Control…

Price

$61.99

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Pros

Kills various insects, including bees and ants.

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Title

Rockwell CimeXa Insecticide Dust (2) 4 oz. Bottles

Price

$26.80

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Pros

Powerful components inside.

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Title

Sevin Ready-to-Use 5 Percentage Dust, 3 Pack, 1 LB Each

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Safe for plants.

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Being a professional entomologist for many years, I have seen numerous deadly cases and severe allergic reactions on wasps. I consider fighting with these stinging insects as my top priority, and I am eager to help you with recommendations on wasp powders.

I gathered here my favorites, with a detailed description of each of them. Read both pros and cons to find the powder you really need. They are all affordable and helpful, in my opinion. If you have more questions about these items, write them in the comments below.

Top 5 Best Wasp Powders

1. Tempo Dust Insecticide BA1011
2. 1 LB Delta Dust Pest Insecticide
3. Rockwell CimeXa Insecticide Dust
4. Sevin Insect Killer Dust 4 Pack
5. Control Solutions 82002479 D-Fense Dust Insecticide

Wasps are extremely dangerous little creatures, and I would recommend you to avoid going closer to their nests alone. However, it may be unavoidable, since these insects can settle down under your roof or near your windows. I have gathered the top killing powders you may appreciate here.

1. Tempo Dust Insecticide BA1011 – the Best Wasp Powder Insecticide for Indoors and Outdoors

Bayer Tempo 1% Dust For Insects (1.25 lbs)

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Cyfluthrin 1%
• Coverage Area: 0.5 to 1 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft.
• Item Weight: 1.38 pounds
• Package Dimensions: 2.5 x 3.8 x 9.55 inches
• Target pests: Ants, Bees, Carpenter Bees, Hornets, Roaches, Wasps and others

Tempo Dust Insecticide BA1011 from Bayer works well for wasps and bees. It contains powerful active chemicals, including 1 percent dust. This insecticide can’t be used close to the children. It is also recommended to apply this powder wearing the mask and gloves to avoid skin irritation.

The effect of the product is long-lasting, and the pack of 1.38 pounds weight can be used multiple times. You have to stick the nose of the bottle right into the nest and press one or two times. This will be enough.

2. 1 LB Delta Dust Pest Insecticide – Powerful Wasp Nest Killer Powder

1 LB Delta Dust Pest Insecticide w/Puffer Bellow Hand Duster, Carpenter Bee, Bedbugs, Wasp Control…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Deltamethrin 0.05%
• Coverage Area: 1 lb. delta dust treats approx. 1000sq/ft.
• Item Weight: 1.59 pounds
• Package Dimensions: 10.47 x 9.21 x 2.8 inches
• Target pests: Ants, Wasps, Bedbugs, Cockroaches, Fleas, Silverfish, Scorpions, Sowbugs, Millipedes, and numerous other pests

The 1 LB Delta Dust Pest Insecticide from Bayer kills numerous stinging insects, including wasps and bees. It also kills bed bugs, ants, scorpions, and cockroaches. I have never used this product for bed bugs or cockroaches; however, I have tried it on ants. Its main active compound is Deltamethrin.

You can use the product both outdoors and indoors. There is a special duster for more comfortable use. The substance is odorless and does not leave stains. It stays active for up to 8 months. You have to fill duster just a halfway before you push it to the nest.

3. Rockwell CimeXa Insecticide Dust – Easy to Use Wasp Insecticide Powder

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Rockwell CimeXa Insecticide Dust (2) 4 oz. Bottles

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Silicon dioxide 92.1%
• Coverage Area: 2 oz. per 100 sq. ft.
• Item Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Package Dimensions: 3.4 x 3.6 x 10.15 inches
• Target pests: Ants, Wasps, Crazy Ants, Cockroaches, Firebrats, Silverfish, Spiders, Mites, Bed Bugs, Lice, Fleas, Ticks, Stored, Beetles and Moths and Drywood Termites

Rockwell CimeXa Insecticide Dust by Control Solutions contains 0.05 percent of Deltamethrin and can easily exterminate the entire nest of wasps. This insecticide also kills bed bugs, silverfish, ants, lice, cockroaches, and other pests. It contains Amorphous Silica Gel as an active ingredient. Still, you have to keep this product far from children.

It is easy to use. All you need is to take off the rubber cap and press the bottle. Press it one time into the nest. Wasps will be falling dead. Silica gel inside has to be kept far from the food as well. I recommend you wear gloves all the time while working with this product.

4. Sevin Insect Killer Dust 4 Pack – Safe for Plants Powder Wasp Killer

Sevin Insect Killer Dust 4-pack 1 Pound

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Bifenthrin 0.1%
• Application Type: Dust
• Item Weight: 4 pounds
• Package Dimensions: 6.94 x 6.94 x 9.63 inches
• Target pests: Over 150 Insects

Insect Killer Dust 4 Pack by Sevin helps to get rid of wasps without ruining your plans to gather the harvest. It includes the zeta-cypermethrin component and bifenthrin inside. Both of these insecticides are non-systemic, so they are not absorbed by plants. And while this product remains on the surface of the plant, killing insects, it does not get soaked inside.

Sevin Company is a famous developer of various insecticides for pests. Their products are made for big farms and gardens, but you can use it to exterminate your wasps’ nest. There are three bottles in a pack of 1 lb each.

5. Control Solutions 82002479 D-Fense Dust Insecticide – Odorless Wasp Dust Killer

Control Solutions – 82002479 – D-Fense Dust – Insecticide – 1lb, White

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Deltamethrin 0.05%
• Coverage Area: 1/2 lb. per 1,000 square feet
• Item Weight: 1.15 pounds
• Package Dimensions: 3.3 x 2 x 9.3 inches
• Target pests: Wasps, Ants, Boxelder Bugs, Cockroaches, Crickets, Silverfish, Fleas, Firebrats, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Centipedes, Ground Beetles, Millipedes, Scorpions, Spiders, Sowbugs, Moths, Carpet Beetles, Bed Bugs, Pantry Pests, Stored Product Pests, and Aphids

The 82002479 D-Fense Dust Insecticide by Control Solutions is a powerful insecticide with Deltamethrin as an active ingredient. It does not leave stains, and it does not smell, which is perfect for indoors. This insecticide stays strong up to 8 months if it is untouched.

Control Solutions is a top seller of pests killing products. They offer 82002479 D-Fense Dust Insecticide as a remedy for wasps, bees, ants, fleas, ticks, cockroaches, and termites. The substance is waterproof and can be easily applied outdoors.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Cicada Killers

Buyer’s Manual

When it comes to choosing the most powerful wasp killing powder, you have to learn a few basic points about it. The first thing is that so-called powder against wasps is the simple insecticide produced as a dust. It is easy to apply since all you need to do is to pulverize the substance on the insects or their nest.

Some products from the list already contain the bulb duster; however, you may need to buy it additionally. You may not require the duster if the nose of the bottle is long enough. It actually depends on the nest of wasps. I strongly recommend you not to go to the nest too close, and not to pull your fingers inside, because of the obvious reasons.

When you apply wasp poison powder, wear protective gloves and a mask on your face to avoid skin irritation. If the nest is high on the tree, you must also wear protective glasses.

The main ingredients of an insecticide dust for wasps contain:

• Multiple dust powders contain Permethrin ingredients inside. While it may sound like some kind of chemicals that have come from the lab, its origin is a flower. It is more eco-friendly and safe for children or pets. It works great not only on wasps but also on fleas, bed bugs, lice.
• Deltamethrin is a pyrethroid of the 2nd generation. This substance is recommended by WHO. It is highly effective against mosquitoes, ticks, ants, bees, spiders, and cockroaches, besides wasps. This is a synthetic chemical, and it is toxic. It is used in small portions of the insecticide.
• Zeta-Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid that is normally used in agricultural applications in large-scales. It is a neurotoxin that acts quickly in insects. When it is sprayed on the plants, it covers the surface but does not get inside it. With time, water, sunlight, and air will make this ingredient disappear from the plant.
• Bifenthrin is used mainly against insects. It belongs to the pyrethroid group, and influences the nervous system of pests. It is toxic to aquatic organisms. It must be used only in small portions.

Before you buy one of the powders take a look at:

• The active components;
• The species of insects this powder kills except waps;
• The level of toxins;
• The long-lasting effect of the powder;
• The price;
• The company-developer of this product;
• Whether it is family-friendly, and where you should keep the substance.

In my own experience, all of the wasp’s dust powders must be kept in the place unreachable for children. Even if it is eco-friendly and does not contain chemicals, it still may irritate the skin or eyes. You have to wear protective gloves any time you spread the insecticide.

Related Post: Best Wasp & Hornet Traps That Actually Catch.

Related Post: Most Effective Wasp Repellents.

Which Powder Is the Best?

I recommend you to read the specifics, pros, and cons of each product I have mentioned in the review. Some of them may be perfect for outdoors, while others – for indoors. They all are affordable, and some of them are offered in savvy big bottles. Depending on your demands, you can count how much powder you will need.

If you have found your perfect insecticide here, please, don’t hesitate to share your impression of it in the comments below. Tell me, which one is your favorite? Did it kill all the wasps? Where was the wasps’ nest? If you have more questions for me, write and I will try to answer.

References:

• Wasp Identification (Rick Vetter, Entomology, UC Riverside):
  https://wasps.ucr.edu/wasp-identification
• Permethrin (National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services):
  http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html
• Deltamethrin (Pesticide Management Education Program):
  http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/carbaryl-dicrotophos/deltamethrin-ext.html
• Wasps (NYC Health):
  https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/wasps.page

Wasps and hornets are both a threat for humans, especially when they create their nests in your yard or attic. It is dangerous to have them indoors and outdoors. These insects have stings, and unlike bees are always ready to use them. Their venom may cause allergies. And as you may know, over 1 million people in the US have allergic reactions to wasps and hornets.

Product

Best Wasp and Hornet Trap

Title

RESCUE! VisiLure® TrapStik for Wasps, Mud Daubers, Carpenter Bees

RESCUE! Disposable Summer Yellowjacket Trap – Mountain & Pacific Formula – 6 Traps

RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap – Includes Attractant

Price

$13.38

$30.49

$14.79

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Pros

Does not contain harmful chemicals.

Safe for a family.

It kills hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets.

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Best Wasp and Hornet Trap

Product

Title

RESCUE! VisiLure® TrapStik for Wasps, Mud Daubers, Carpenter Bees

Price

$13.38

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Pros

Does not contain harmful chemicals.

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Title

RESCUE! Disposable Summer Yellowjacket Trap – Mountain & Pacific Formula – 6 Traps

Price

$30.49

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Pros

Safe for a family.

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Product

Title

RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap – Includes Attractant

Price

$14.79

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Pros

It kills hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets.

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Each year people die from the stings of these insects. And while wasps are dangerous pests, hornets can be even more dangerous as their venom contains more acetylcholine. As an experienced entomologist, I am here to help you to get rid of both these insects with the best wasp trap.

Top 5 Best Wasp and Hornet Traps

1. Rescue! TrapStick for Wasps, Mud Daubers, Carpenter Bees
2. Rescue YJTD-W Disposable Yellowjacket Trap
3. Pic Wasp Yellow Jacket & Hornet Trap
4. RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap
5. Fatal Funnel FFW-6P Wasp and Hornet Traps

Here is the list of my favorite traps for getting rid of these annoying insects. Read my description carefully, and if you have checked them out, simply write your opinion in the comments. There are multiple options on the market, but I recommend these 5 items that I’ve checked out myself.

1. Rescue! TrapStick for Wasps, Mud Daubers, Carpenter Bees – the Leader Among Organic Wasp and Hornet Traps

RESCUE! VisiLure® TrapStik for Wasps, Mud…

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Specifications:

• Is Electric: No
• Number of Pieces: 1
• Item Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 4.75 x 4.13 x 11.3 inches
• Target Species: Fly

TrapStick for Wasps, Mud Daubers, Carpenter Bees from Rescue is a perfect way to get rid of all the wasps, bees, and hornets around your house. It is not toxic and not harmful to birds, so you can place it outdoors. This product attracts stinging insects with its vivid colors and creative pattern. When the insects fly closer, they get stuck.

There are no chemicals inside. The trap does not have any specific odor as well. Its surface is sticky; therefore, wasps and hornets simply can’t get out. While the trap is designed with special protective guards for birds, I still recommend you to avoid putting it closer to the birds’ nests.

Put the trap close to the concentration of insects. It can be easily placed at the roof, garage or shed. Rescue is a US company that specializes in natural remedies. This wasps and hornets trap is recommended to be placed close to a house from spring until the fall.

2. Rescue YJTD-W Disposable Yellowjacket Trap – the Most Effective Wasp Trap for Outdoors

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RESCUE! Disposable Summer Yellowjacket Trap -…

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Specifications:

• Color: Yellow
• Number of Pieces: 6
• Item Weight: 0.13 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 3.25 x 7.75 x 8.75 inches
• Target Species: Wasp

The YJTD-W Disposable Yellowjacket Trap by Rescue is an odorless and nontoxic way to catch wasps and hornets. The pack includes 6 disposable traps. They have a long-lasting effect and can be placed both outdoors and indoors.

The product is easy to use. All you need to do is to cut the dotted line and take out the tab. After that, just add water to the trap and hang it close to your house or inside it.

You will not have to touch a bait with your hands. The insects will fly inside the trap and will get stuck there forever. You can use this trap every day.

Rescue is an American top seller of natural traps and organic remedies. They don’t use chemicals in their products, which is perfect for a house with children and pets. After the trap is full, you can throw it away with the garbage. I recommend using several of them in different places to get rid of all insects.

3. Pic Wasp Yellow Jacket & Hornet Trap – Effective Reusable Wasp Hornet Trap

No products found.

Specifications:

• Material: Plastic
• Number of Pieces: 1
• Item Weight: 0.45 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 5.25 x 5.25 x 6.5 inches
• Target Species: Hornet, Wasp
   

Wasp Yellow Jacket & Hornet Trap by PIC does not contain any poison. It has 6 bright entry funnels that lure wasps and hornets from the area around the house. Once they are trapped, the insects can’t simply get out.

Unlike many similar traps, this one is reusable. When you get rid of dead insects inside, put it in another place or the same one if you want to make sure that there are no more pests.

PIC Company is a leader among outdoors’ traps for bees, wasps, mosquitoes, and hornets. They offer organic products. While the trap does not contain chemicals, they warn clients to keep it out from the children or pets. The item weighs 10.6 inches and can be hanged near a house. I recommend placing it closer to the source of wasps and hornets.

4. Rescue! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap with Non-Toxic Attractant – Smart Wasp and Hornet Catcher from the USA

RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap – Includes…

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Specifications:

• Material: Plastic
• Number of Pieces: 1
• Item Weight: 0.05 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 10 x 3.5 x 3.75 inches
• Target Species: Fly, Wasp

Reusable Yellowjacket Trap with Non-Toxic Attractant by Rescue lures wasps, hornets with its bright color and special bait. There are no chemicals inside. The product is totally safe to place even inside the house. Forget about yellow jackets with this reusable trap.

It works simply. The insect is attracted by the bait and vivid color of the trap, flies to it, crawls inside, and can’t get out. Consequently, the pests die from dehydration.

The effect of the attractant is long-lasting. You can place a small amount of it for several weeks. After that, just change the bait. This product is safe even for honeybees, as they are not attracted to the item. Once the trap is full, and all the wasps and hornets are dead, you can remove them and hang the trap back.

5. Fatal Funnel FFW-6P Wasp and Hornet Traps – Natural Hornet and Wasp Attractant for the Low Price

Fatal Funnel FFW-6P Wasp and Hornet Traps, 6-Pack

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Specifications:

• Color: Yellow
• Number of Pieces: 6
• Item Weight: 3.98 ounces
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 9.5 x 2 x 5.5 inches
• Target Species: Hornet, Wasp

The FFW-6P Wasp and Hornet Traps from Fatal Funnel is a good savvy deal, as you receive 6 traps in one pack. They are an effective and non-chemical way to get rid of insects in your house. You will have to take 2-liter bottles and make an attractant yourself.

There is a recipe that comes along with the trap. You will need apple juice as well. When the bait is ready, pour it to the bottle, and attach the strap to it.

These traps are light-weight and reusable. All you need is to pour the attractant inside the bottle. Wasps and hornets will be able to get inside, lured by the sweet scent, and will be trapped there forever. The trap is organic and safe for your family.

Guide for Buyers and FAQ

Best wasp and hornet traps can vary by their features, design, price, and compounds. While there are traps that you can do with your own hands, I strongly recommend choosing professionally made, so you won’t have to deal with insecticides by yourself. All the traps can be separated only into 2 categories:

• A container with a hole;
• A paper wasps trap with glue on it.

However, you may find that they all are different as well. For starters, these traps feature various:

• Level of toxins. In the table above, you will find only non-toxic traps. However, many developers prefer to use strong chemicals for the immediate effect;
• The simplicity of use. While you simply need to attach some of them to your doors, others require more efforts;
• Due date. They can be either disposable or reusable.

Trapping Wasps and Hornets

There is no difference in the way you can trap wasps and hornets. All you need is a good bait and enough patience. I recommend handing traps near your doors every warm season, even if you see neither wasps nor hornets right now.

This is a preventive measure to avoid being stung by them. This is when the sticky wasp trap will be a great helper. You don’t need to do anything except for buying the trap and hanging it somewhere close to the doors or windows.

In severe cases, you may need special traps or attractants for these insects. You can put them inside traps and lure these pests inside so they will never get out. Traps are the most beneficial way to get rid of hornets and wasps if you don’t live near the huge nest of these insects. But in case you do, you have to combine traps with other measures, like poisons or powders.

Related Post: Most Effective Wasp and Hornet Killer Sprays.

The Work of Wasp Traps

You have already checked out my wasp trap reviews and noticed that I clarify specifically the way these traps work. It is extremely important since some of the traps even do not require any baits. They attract social wasps and hornets by their extremely vivid colors.

Those traps that contain baits are also different. You can do a bait by yourself, attracting insects with its sweet odor. There are also chemical baits that may kill pests after they try it.

However, I strongly believe that there is no point in killing stinging insects by yourself. A trap works flawlessly. Once a wasp or hornet is inside it, it is impossible for the insect to fly or crawl out of it. The red wasp traps offer an easy way to get in, but no way out.

FAQ

What to Put in a Wasp Trap?

Usually traps for wasps and hornets that you see on the market contain the bait already. However, if it is a reusable product, you may easily run out of baits. Don’t worry, you can either buy them separately or do them by yourself. Bees, wasps, and hornets are attracted by the sweet smell. You may try next attractants:

• Fruit punch, soda, apple cider;
• Any fruit with a sweet smell. Hornets and wasps love apples, pears, peaches;
• The mix of water and maple sugar;
• Vinegar is an attractant for yellow jackets.

Do Wasp Traps Work?

I consider both outdoor and indoor wasp trap one of the most effective ways to prevent these insects from getting into your house or yard. Of course, if there is a severe infestation, you will have to mix several measures and use traps with insecticides. Plus, you should remember that if you are allergic to wasps or hornets, you can’t be near them at all. In this case, I recommend you call the professionals immediately.

Where to Place Wasp Traps?

There are many places where you can hang the wasp trap. My advice is to hang them outdoors close to the windows and doors. Don’t let them pass the threshold of your house. Here are my top places for traps:

• The area with the trash bins. If you have trash bin collection once a week, you need to put at least one trap close to them, since both hornets and wasps can be attracted by the smell of the food;
• Close to the standing water reservoirs. These insects are attracted to water. If you have a pond or a pool in your yard, don’t forget to place the best hornet trap nearby;
• Any entrance. I’ve already mentioned why you have to put these traps near windows and doors.

How to Clean a Reusable Trap?

There are different types of traps. If the item is reusable, it means that you can clean it from dead insects and start again. It is highly recommended to wash it, before using a trap the second time. So, if the trap contains the liquid that attracts insects, you have to get rid of it. Wash it after use, and replace the liquid. If there is no liquid, you still have to change the bait.

Related Post: Best Wasp Repellents Reviewed

Which Trap Is the Best?

All the traps on my list work efficiently. I have checked them numerous times. However, they all have their specifics. So, your choice depends on your demands. If you don’t like the liquid attractants, pick dry ones, or traps without baits at all. The same goes for the way to use the item, its price, the company-developer, and the material. After you check out all pros and cons of each trap, pick one or few based on your choice.

Don’t forget to write your impressions about the traps in the comments below. How do you like them? Did you get rid of all the wasps and hornets?

References:

• Social Wasps (Iowa State University Extension and Outreach):
  https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/social-wasps
• Bees, Wasps and Hornets (Manitoba):
  https://www.gov.mb.ca/housing/pubs/pests/bees.pdf
• Bees, Hornets and Wasps (Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Home):
  https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/bugs/bees-wasps.htm

Probably everyone has experienced an unpleasant feeling of being stung by wasps or hornets. Since childhood, everyone remembers one common truth – it is better not to approach the striped buzzing insects.

However, to make sure you are safe and not afraid of aggressive insects, you better choose the best wasp and hornet spray to protect yourself and destroy wasp nests. In the summertime, it is significant to prevent any potentially harmful for health incidents that may occur to you, your family, or pets.

Product

Best Wasp and Hornet Spray

Best Professional Wasp and Hornet Insecticide

Title

BASF PT Wasp-Freeze Insecticide for Wasp, Hornet, Yellowjacket & Spider Killer, Quick Knockdown…

Syngenta 070294125000 Demon Max Insecticide, Yellowish

Price

$28.25

$31.63

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Pros

Kills any type of wasps and hornets.

An immediate knockdown.

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Best Wasp and Hornet Spray

Product

Title

BASF PT Wasp-Freeze Insecticide for Wasp, Hornet, Yellowjacket & Spider Killer, Quick Knockdown…

Price

$28.25

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–

Pros

Kills any type of wasps and hornets.

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Best Professional Wasp and Hornet Insecticide

Product

Title

Syngenta 070294125000 Demon Max Insecticide, Yellowish

Price

$31.63

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Pros

An immediate knockdown.

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On average, 1 person out of 20 people is immune to wasps venom and has tolerance to more than one sting without suffering from pain or any health issues. On the contrary, 3 out of 100 people are hypersensitive to the components of the poison. For them, one bite can be fatal.

Hornets, despite their large size (up to five centimeters), stings at about wasp level. The only difference is that this insect injects a larger amount of poison, and the tumor with hornets bites lasts longer.

Everyone knows that it may get annoying when a lot of wasp nests and hornets are around your household. That’s why I want to share with you 5 wasp spray reviews and help you to live a free life without insects. I will describe the functional systems, some technical features, and benefits of each wasp killer spray so you can choose what fits best for your personal needs.

Top 5 Best Wasp and Hornet Sprays: a Review in Details

1. BASF – PT Wasp-Freeze II
2. Demon Max
3. SpectracidePRO Wasp and Hornet Killer
4. SpectracidePro: the Aerosol to Kill on Contact Wasps and Hornets
5. Raid Wasp & Hornet Killer Spray

I believe that the last thing you want to have in the backyard, or anywhere else in your household area, are wasps nests and hornets. Especially, when the danger from them may arise at any time. I want to assure you that these 5 wasp and hornet sprays are the best that I’ve ever tested. Hopefully, you’ll find what’s most suitable for you.

1. BASF – PT Wasp-Freeze II – the Best Wasp and Hornet Spray

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BASF PT Wasp-Freeze Insecticide for Wasp, Hornet,…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Prallethrin 0.1%
• Item Form: Aerosol
• Item Weight: 1.09 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2.63 x 2.63 x 11 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets, Spiders

The BASF brand is popular among others for its insect killing products. The company produces pest chemistry solutions for general and specific pest control.

I want to recommend you one of their outstanding spray killers – the Wasp-Freeze. It is an invaluable tool to fight against the wasps and hornets in domestic areas and among the professional pest control agencies. Wasp-Freeze II is recommended to use outdoors only. The active chemicals in this spray are too concentrated for indoor use.

Besides, it affects wasps and hornets in a very intense way, and knockdowns the insects immediately. The spraying process takes about 5 seconds after which the insects freeze instantly. As a result, you are safe and don’t need to waste hours to kill each wasp or hornet.

The Wasp-Freeze spray is powerful enough to kill both grubs and adult insects, including hornets and wasps. The main benefit of this spray is that you don’t need to come close to the insects’ nest to spray them because the course jet reaches the height up to 5 meters. It allows you to stay as safe as possible.

If a wasp nest is too high, and you cannot reach it, you may use the extension pole which is equipped with a rope discharge. You just need to fix the spray there.

The minimum allowed distance to spray is 2 meters from the nest location. Besides, the Wasp-Freeze BASF Spray can be applied to kill the ground wasps.

I believe this is the best wasp and hornet killer because it is safe in use, provides instant results in 5 seconds, and prevents wasps and hornets from returning to their previous nest location.

2. Demon Max: the Best Professional Wasp and Hornet Insecticide

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Syngenta 070294125000 Demon Max Insecticide,…

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Cypermethrin 25.3%
• Item Form: Liquid
• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 2.05 x 4.35 x 8 inches
• Target Species: Ants, Ant Mounds, Asian Cockroaches, Bark Beetles, Bees, Borers, Boxelder Bugs, Carpenter Ants, Carpenter Bees, Centipedes, Chiggers, Chinch Bugs, Cockroaches, Crickets, Earwigs, Elm Leaf Beetles, Fire Ants, Firebrats, Fleas, Flies, Ground Beetles, Gypsy Moths, Millipedes, Mole Crickets, Mosquitoes, Pillbugs, Scorpions, Silverfish, Sowbugs, Spiders, Ticks, Wasps, Wood Infesting Beetles, and others

This spray has a high concentration of active ingredients which help to knock down the wasps and hornets as quickly as possible. The main benefit is its long-lasting residual effect. Demon Max controls hundreds of different insects, though it is one of the most efficient solutions for wasps and hornets nests. You are allowed to use it both indoors and outdoors which means its absolute safety for everyone who is around.

Before you start the spraying process, you should be equipped with special long cloth, safety masks-respirators, and chemical resistant gloves. In the beginning, you have to mix 1.3-5.0 fluid ounces per gallon of water. The measuring reservoir at the top of the Demon Max bottle will help you to get an exact right amount of the spray.

It is crucially important that you do not over apply the spray; otherwise, it may harm you too. With this mixture, you fill in the sprayer, shake it, and you are ready to use it.

3. SpectracidePRO Wasp and Hornet Killer: Kills the Entire Nest

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredient: Tetramethrin 0.10%, Permethrin 0.25%, Piperonyl Butoxide 0.50%
• Item Form: Aerosol
• Item Weight: 2 Pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 6 x 4 x 10 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Hornets

The brand SpectracidePro specializes on various sprays, aerosols, foams, and other wasps and hornet killers. However, this time, the company has made a huge progress and produced an aerosol to kill wasps nests if they are located near the electrical equipment. The spray is arranged for the dielectric breakdown voltage of 43.700 volts.

The jet spray is able to reach up to 20 ft. away which is very convenient to kill on contact. You may be sure that the spray will not spread to your skin or eyes. It is important to remember that you have to stand as far from the nest as the spray allows for your own safety. The essential residual effect will protect your household from the wasps` returning up to 4 weeks.

4. SpectracidePro: the Aerosol to Kill on Contact Wasps and Hornets

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Spectracide Pro kills wasps nests and hornets in contact with the power of a 27-foot jet. Before using any of the sprays, you should acknowledge yourself with precautions to make sure you act according to the safety user instructions.

The manufacturer of the SpectracidePro recommends applying it for the wasp’s nests in the evening or night time when insects prepare for the night rest and are not as aggressive during the day time. Before using it, wear your gloves on to make sure the chemicals don’t spread to your skin.

When you are ready to start, just stand at a maximum safe location and spray the product straight in the nest. Avoid standing directly under the nest! After you applied it, wait for 24 hours till every wasp dies inside, and remove it.

5. Raid: Will Make Sure to Kill Every Wasp and Hornet

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Raid Wasp & Hornet Killer Spray, 17.5 OZ (3 Pack)

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Specifications:

• Active Ingredients: Prallethrin 0.02%, Cypermethrin 0.05%
• Item Form: Aerosol
• Item Weight: 1.42 pounds
• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 9.2 x 8 x 2.1 inches
• Target Species: Wasps, Hornets

Raid Spray will allow you to enjoy your outdoor activities without running away from dangerous wasps and hornets. The 22-course jet makes it easier for you to use the insects’ killer. The residual action prevents hornets and wasps from coming back to old places someday.

This is a significant feature for you to consider. In case you don’t want to have a fight with these insects every spring and summer, you better choose products with residual effects. Besides, if some wasps are not inside the nest when you spray it, as soon as they return, each of them will die as well thankfully to the residual action.

Once you are ready, hold the spray upright in the nest. Please, make sure the wind is at your back to prevent an occasion that Raid spray may spread in the air and get into your eyes or skin. You should spray till the nest is saturated to kill the insects all at once. After you are done, remove the nest, and burn it.

A Buyer’s Guide

How Does Wasp Spray Work?

The use of wasp and hornet spray implies a careful selection of the appropriate remedy. The instructions for the usage of any spray are almost the same but may have different factors to consider, such as course jet, indoor or outdoor purpose, various active ingredients, and so on.

What you should do is to shake the spray bottle, spray it straight to the nest cover or entrance if you see it at a distance of at least 20-30 cm. Wasps are extremely sensitive to such remedies, so the smallest amount of them causes their death.

Most of the wasp sprays include ingredients from the pyrethroid group. The way they get into the wasp is through the intestinal tract. Soon after the infection, paralysis occurs, and the insect dies due to the stoppage of organs.

If you have chosen this method of getting rid of wasps nests, make sure to follow the safety instructions to avoid pesticide poisoning. First of all, protect your eyes and respiratory system with a respirator and special cloth. You should carefully use any wasp insecticide spray to prevent accidental poisoning.

In any case, you should be aware that it is allowed to use only the sprays that are approved for use in residential areas. The information about this aspect is usually claimed in the instructions.

Related Post: Best Wasp Powders: Effective Insecticides

How to Choose the Best Wasp and Hornet Spray

To choose the most effective wasp spray, you need to know the following tips:

• Each insecticide product must have a certificate of state registration, the number of which should be indicated on the label, or you can ask the seller.
• All information about the purpose of the product, its method of application, precautions for use, manufacturer, etc. is outlined on the label of the product which is developed during its state registration.
• The duration of the effect of a wasp spray depends on many factors: the time effectiveness of the spray itself, the aggressiveness of insects, the weather conditions, and so on.

The first step on the path to the destruction of wasp and hornet nests is to find where they are located. The nest itself looks like an egg-shaped cardboard structure. Before you start to look for the insects’ nests location, you need to dress accordingly:

1. Cover all areas of the skin with tight clothes;
2. Put on a hood or anything that covers the neck and head completely;
3. Cover your face and eyes.

Inspect the facade of the house, non-residential buildings, balconies, tree trunks, poles, the attic. You can also listen to their sonorous hum and find a nest. Nevertheless, if it is not possible to find the nest, but the insects continue to prevail, then most likely the nest is located on the neighboring site.

FAQ

When Is the Best Time to Spray a Wasp Nest?

The most common places for wasps’ nests and hornets are attic rooms, cornices of apartment buildings, balcony structures, in openings in the ground, holes in the surface of walls, at the locations of ventilation and sewer pipes.

The first thing you should think about when controlling wasps and hornets around your home is the right season. The best time to eliminate the wasps’ nests or hornets is in spring. It is the time when insects awake from hibernation and begin to build a hive.

In the middle and end of summer, the pests become much more active and protect their home, making maximum efforts for its defense. Another important point is the choice of the time of the day. You definitely should spray a wasp nest when the insects go to sleep in the afternoon and become almost inactive.

What Kills Wasps Instantly?

A wasp killer spray and control with insecticides are the simplest and the most efficient ways that will allow you to cope with pests forever. Standard traps with a wide spectrum of action will be useless in such situations.

The spraying procedure should be carried out repeatedly, and make sure that the main blow is directed to the entrance of the nest. The range between the procedures is at least 24 hours. When all pests are dead, you can burn them with the nest too.

The main benefit of the long-range wasp spray is its durable action. That is, sprays not only kill wasps immediately but also prevent their appearance soon, at least for the further 8 months. The foaming wasp spray will help you to get rid of the wasp’s nest on contact and will kill the entire nest instantly.

Related Post: How to Get Rid of Yellow Jackets

Are Wasps and Hornets Dangerous?

The reasons to control wasps and hornets are that they can be crucially harmful to your health. The poison of stinging insects such as wasps and hornets contains certain active pheromones that affect the blood vessels directly. Most people may suffer from the local reaction when an insect bites.

It is associated with painful swelling, local redness of the skin, and itching around the site of the bite. Sometimes, the tumor appears, especially on the delicate skin, such as the eyelids. Usually, the local reaction disappears in about 20-60 minutes, but in some cases, it can persist for a couple of days. A bite into the mouth or throat can be dangerous, as it causes a risk of suffocation.

The likelihood of an allergic reaction to the first bite is usually extremely low since antibodies are absent until the first bite. Local reactions that are stronger than usual, in some cases, may precede the main allergic reaction. The main allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is often not manifested and is characterized by the appearance of symptoms.

These symptoms manifest in the form of:

• urticaria and itching, swelling of the face and neck
• there is a possibility of the unexpected digestive disorders-vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, profuse sweating, and cold tremors.
• the respiratory system may also suffer; throat irritation is felt along with coughing or tightness in the chest and throat, resulting in difficulty to breathe.
• in especially serious cases, the poison affects the cardiovascular system: a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and even anaphylactic shock is possible.
• the main reaction appears within 30 minutes after the bite. Allergic reactions tend to become more dangerous with repeated bites.

Is Wasp and Hornet Spray Safe for Humans?

A chemical-based wasp nest spray can have a variety of active chemical ingredients, and you need to read the complexion of it carefully. Some substances can cause an allergic reaction if you use the product in the wrong way.

Natural-based wasp repellents are safe for both adults and children. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid chemical-based products and choose natural ones.

The most popular and effective active ingredient in natural remedies are:

1. Citronella. The citronella oil is available for purchase in stores and effectively applies against various mosquitoes and pests, including wasps and hornets. However, initially, it must be diluted in a base oil, for example, in olive or peach, in the proportion about one to six.
2. Clove, lavender, and peppermint oils are also used to repel and kill mosquitoes. The result depends on the concentration of the solution.
3. Various plants and trees contain substances that are poisonous for wasps and hornets. In spray killers, the concentration of these substances is very high; therefore, they work better.
4. Natural best wasp spray usually consists of extracts of tropical plants.

Related Post: Best Yellow Jacket Traps Reviewed

What Is Your Decision About Wasps and Hornets Sprays for Now?

Now you are aware of the dangers that wasps and hornets can cause, and I doubt that you still may want to let them live on your house territory. These insects may seem safe but you don’t know which of the swarms may be aggressive and harm people around and pets.

Even if you think that the process of spraying wasps and hornets is long and unsafe, I would assure you that this is easier than you may think. After you win the battle with these insects, you can live a calm life without the fear of being attacked by them.

I have come across a similar problem with wasps and hornets many times, and I understand how difficult it is to get rid of them. So try the 5 top rated wasp and hornet spray killers that I offered you, and I’m sure that they will help you. The reason is you are unlikely to find anything more effective than these.

If you are interested in more information about wasps and hornets, let me know in the comments! Which of the wasps’ killers have you already used? I would be grateful to know about their effectiveness.

References:

• Wasps, Hornets, Yellowjackets, and Spiders (Michael F. Potter and G. Mark Beavers Kentucky Pesticide Safety Education Program):
  https://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/PSEP/cat8wasps.html
• Controlling Wasps, Bees and Hornets Around Your Home [fact sheet] (University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension):
  https://extension.unh.edu/resource/controlling-wasps-bees-and-hornets-around-your-home-fact-sheet-0
• 16 First aid procedures for pesticide poisoning (Australian Government Department of Health):
  https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-enhealth-manual-atsi-cnt-l~ohp-enhealth-manual-atsi-cnt-l-ch5~ohp-enhealth-manual-atsi-cnt-l-ch5.16