5 Things You Should Never Do If You Find a Wasp Nest Around Your House

Many people consider summer the best time of the year. Days full of beach trips and ice-cold lemonade, nights full of s’mores and the buzzing of cicadas. It’s easy to get caught up in all the perks summer has to offer, but it’s important to remember that this time of year is the peak of wasp and hornet activity. Many people have had a stressful experience with these stinging insects at least once in their lives. Whether this is your first time or your hundredth time encountering them, it’s always a smart idea to be prepared. Let’s go over 5 things you should never do when dealing with a wasp nest.

1. Don’t Poke a Wasp Nest

Have you ever seen one of those viral videos of someone taking a stick or a bat to a wasp nest? They always end the same, with the individual covered in a swarm of angry insects. Wasps are not like their bee counterparts. Hornets and yellowjackets, which are two types of wasps, have a reputation for being more aggressive, and their stings can be more powerful and painful. The bottom line is that they will become protective if they feel threatened. They have an innate drive to defend their colony and their nest. Instead of provoking their fight response, try to keep a safe distance whenever possible.

2. Don’t Let Children or Those with Wasp Allergies Near a Nest

Another essential thing to keep in mind is that wasps are capable of stinging their target several times. In addition to this, they are known to chase their prey up to a distance of 100 feet around their nest. This is made more difficult when dealing with wasps that live underground, as you may not know you accidentally stumbled over their nest until it’s too late. If you’re particularly unlucky, you may even need to see a doctor after a wasp attack, depending on the severity. Complications can arise even for the healthiest individuals. If you’re allergic or have small children, it’s even more dangerous. Don’t risk it!

3. Don’t Cover the Nest Up

Covering the entrance to the nest can seem like an appealing idea. If the wasps have no way in or way out, they’re bound to die off, right? Well, think again. Wasps are resilient and intelligent creatures. Let’s say you’re dealing with a wasp nest attached to your home. If you attempt to block the entrance of the nest, it’s likely that the wasps will simply start creating a new opening by any means possible. The worst part is that they don’t have the ability to distinguish between your house and their nest, so they’ll just burrow a hole in whatever direction they feel is best. If they see an opportunity to get back into their nest, they’ll take it, and in the process, they could accidentally dig a pathway into your home. If this happens, the inconvenience is more significant, and the danger is increased. 

4. Don’t Engage in Dangerous Behavior

Unsurprisingly, even a small amount of carelessness can cause serious bodily injury when dealing with a wasp nest. For example, the use of fire or gasoline might appear to be an easy way to take care of the problem. However, doing this can quickly become a fire hazard. You wouldn’t want to endanger your family or neighbors in the process of removal, so refrain from trying to burn the nest altogether. It’s also never a good idea to get up on a ladder in an attempt to dispatch a wasp nest. If a nest is in a hard-to-reach spot where a ladder would be required for its removal, it’s best to call an exterminator instead. The chance of being attacked by the protective colony is high, which may cause you to fall off and injure yourself in the process.

5. If Possible, Don’t Do Anything

Sometimes, it’s best not to do anything to a wasp nest. Let’s consider the location of the wasp nest. If it’s a far enough distance away from you and your family, and the chance of getting stung is low, consider leaving it alone. The truth is, wasps are just as inconvenienced by us as we are by them. All they really want is to pollinate peacefully and protect their nest, and who can blame them? Allowing nature to take its course might be the best choice of all. When the cold temperatures of fall and winter come around, the changing seasons will naturally eliminate the wasps. Their natural lifespan is no longer than a few months, so if you can wait it out, the first frost can serve as your easy, free exterminator. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re determined to take action, there are exterminator-approved products on the market that can help. First, wear protective gear and approach the nest at night when the wasp’s activity is the lowest. You can then creep up to the nest cautiously before covering it with an approved pesticide or dust spray. If you have any doubts about your capability, don’t risk it. 

As always, hiring a professional exterminator is usually the best choice. Exterminators undergo extensive training to handle these situations properly, ensuring the best possible outcome. What you spend on their services will be worth all the stress you’ll save yourself.