How to get rid of wasps and keep them from coming back

Wasps are some of the more dangerous stinging insects because they can sting repeatedly, potentially leading to a severe allergic reaction. If you find wasp nests or notice wasp activity in or around your home, take immediate action to keep yourself, your family and your pets safe. 

Understanding how to get rid of wasps yourself is a good place to start, but you should also know when professional pest control help is best for safety and efficiency.

USA TODAY asked the experts, and here is how to get rid of wasps and prevent them from coming back.

Key takeaways

• Natural deterrents include limiting flowering plants, covering garbage and using peppermint or tea tree oil.
• Due to the danger of repeated stings, professional pest control is often the safest and most effective option.
• Prevent future infestations by sealing potential nesting spots, managing garbage and considering preventative treatments.

Why wasps come into your home

Like most pests, wasps take up residence in your home or around your property when shelter and food are both available.

“They love protected areas where they can build nests, so homeowners often find them under eaves, in attics, sheds, trees or shrubs around the property,” said an entomologist from the SC Johnson Center for Insect Science, makers of Raid®. In the spring, queen wasps scout for places to build new nests, and once they settle in, they raise their young there throughout the season.

Wasps can also be attracted to your home or property if there’s a food source present. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), adult wasps predominantly eat nectar. Wasps may build hives on your property if you have an abundance of flowering plants, including fruit trees.

“They [also] feed on sugary foods and drinks, as well as other insects, so outdoor trash cans, uncovered food and sweet drinks can quickly turn a backyard into a wasp hotspot,” said SC Johnson entomologists. Once they find a reliable food source, foraging wasps typically come back to the same spot.

How to remove wasps from your home safely

Since wasps are stinging insects, and especially because they can sting multiple times, physically removing them from your property is inherently dangerous. DIY options can be effective, but they aren't always recommended.

"DIY wasp removal is doable," says Matt Smith, co-owner of Green Pest Management, a licensed pest control professional company servicing Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Tennessee. "I know people like to save money and do it themselves but sometimes it just isn't worth the risk of falling or getting stung."

Viral hacks like pouring boiling water or apple cider vinegar may seem like a simple solution, but these don't always get rid of all the wasps. Instead, rely on professional products. "One really good way to get rid of wasps and their nests is to use a wasp spray that can shoot far," says Smith. If the nest is in a reachable spot, you can stand firmly on the ground as you spray wasp killer up into the eaves of your house.

The time of day you apply treatment also matters. "The cooler temperatures during the evening and early morning make the wasps slow and docile," says Smith. "Once you have treated it, wait a couple days and check for activity to make sure you killed them all, then you can remove the nest."

When attempting to remove a wasp nest, take these precautions:

• Wait at least 24 hours before removing the nest after treatment.
• Wasps don't see well in the dark. Turn off outside lights and don't use a flashlight.
• Treat nests after dusk or before dawn when wasps are less active and roosting.
• Stand away from the nest and never directly underneath it.
• Spray with the wind, not against it.
• Avoid attempting treatment if you have a known allergy to stinging insects.
• Wasps can become aggressive when their nests are disturbed, so safety should always come first.

Natural ways to get rid of wasps

There are natural ways to deter wasps and to make your property less attractive to them. While professional pest control will get rid of the wasps the fastest, some natural remedies include:

• Plant wasp-repelling plants: Smith says that some types of plants can naturally help prevent wasps. "Planting mint, basil or rosemary will cut down on the frequency of wasps visiting your property," he says.
• Limit the number of flowering plants on your property: One way to reduce the risk of wasps taking up residence on your property is to limit food sources. Since adults feed mostly on nectar, limiting the number of flowering plants near your home can naturally keep wasps away.
• Cover stored trash and remove promptly: Seal your garbage cans and bring food indoors when done eating. Remove stored garbage as quickly as possible.
• Use peppermint or tea tree oil: Peppermint and tea tree oil Castile soap can be effective for killing wasps and eliminating nests. Put some scented soap in a hose sprayer and spray the nest directly until it falls or disintegrates. Wear protective clothing and keep the area free of children and pets, as you may not instantly kill the wasps inside, and there’s a good chance they’ll attack in defense.

Wasps and hornets can become aggressive around nests, which is why professional treatment may be appropriate for larger nests, hard-to-reach areas or recurring infestations.

Note from the editor: We discovered a massive wasp problem the summer after we moved into our first home. Yellow jackets had taken up residence in the siding of our home, and would swarm us every time we dared go outside. Some even found their way inside, and we’d find a few flying around our kitchen each day. We tried all the DIY tricks, used wasp spray after dark and even put on snowsuits to avoid stings. While our attempts helped, they didn’t get rid of the nest entirely. We ultimately had to get professional help.

Professional wasp treatments

Unlike most insects that homeowners commonly have problems with, wasps are extremely dangerous, so it’s best to have a trained professional handle wasp removal and control. Make sure you choose a pest control company that deals with stinging insects, as not all do. Companies like Orkin and Terminix offer wasp removal.

Professional pest control experts start by identifying the species of wasp or bee, and then determine the course of treatment based on the activity of the colony, location of the nest and the wasps' temperament.

Professional wasp treatment costs more than DIY options but can include the following:

• High-strength aerosol sprays
• Repellent applications that deter future wasp problems
• Insecticidal dust applied to or around active nests
• Physical wasp nest removal

How to prevent wasps from coming back

"To completely prevent wasps is nearly impossible, however there are tips that can discourage them," says Smith. "When we service a house here at Green Pest Management we treat a brush and use that brush on the areas where we know wasps like to frequent such as eaves, peaks and around windows."

To prevent wasps from coming back and building new nests after you deal with the initial problem, follow these tips:

• Be diligent about covering and removing garbage: Garbage can be an attractive food source for hungry wasps, as can unrinsed soda and food cans in your recycling. Keep your cans covered and remove them regularly.
• Limit flowering plants on your property: If possible, limit how many flowering plants you have on your property, as the nectar is an attractive food source for wasps and other stinging insects.
• Keep outdoor areas dry: According to the EPA, fixing exterior leaks and minimizing outdoor moisture can help make your property less hospitable for wasps.
• Cover eaves and other common nesting areas: Wasps often create hives under eaves, under decks or in other sheltered areas. Sealing off decks and covering eaves with vinyl can reduce the risk of wasp infestations.
• Continue with preventative treatments: Professional pest management can include wasp repellents and ongoing protection that keeps stinging insects away for good.

You should stay vigilant to look for signs of wasp activity, as catching issues early makes treatment easier. “Regularly checking around the home for early nest activity can all help reduce the chances of a bigger problem later in the season,” adds SC Johnson entomologists.

Common mistakes when trying to get rid of wasps

The most common mistake homeowners make when trying to get rid of wasps is failing to wear protective gear. With DIY treatments, there’s always a risk that you won’t kill off or trap all the wasps in a nest, which leaves you vulnerable to stings. Suit up with goggles, face and head coverings, leather gloves and thick clothing that covers all exposed areas to keep yourself safe.

Another common mistake DIYers make is relying on wasp removal “hacks” and tips from the internet. These rarely work, and our experts recommend beginning treatment with pesticides and wasp killer sprays.

When to call a pest control professional

Stinging insects are dangerous, so you should call in a professional for wasp treatment. DIY treatments can work, but they may not take care of the entire problem.

"I would recommend calling a professional pest control company if you see a steady stream of wasps getting into your attic or siding," says Smith. "Also [call] if there is a nest in a hard to reach place, or you feel uncomfortable with handling it." Professional pest control companies have the equipment and knowledge to take care of wasps safely.

You should never attempt DIY wasp removal or control if any of the following apply to your situation:

• You or anyone in your home is allergic to bee stings.
• You frequently have small children or pets in your yard.
• You don’t have sufficient protective gear.
• The nest is in a hard-to-reach area or requires getting up on a ladder.
• You’ve had ongoing issues with wasps.
• You try DIY solutions, but they don’t work.

Frequently asked questions

What will keep wasps away?

There’s some evidence to suggest that strong scents like peppermint and tree oil can help deter wasps, but there’s no guarantee these will work. The best option for avoiding wasp issues is to have a pest control company treat your property with commercial pesticides that kill wasps or repel them.

Why does WD-40 kill wasps?

WD-40 can kill wasps by clogging their breathing pores, much like soapy water. However, it’s not guaranteed to kill wasps even if you spray them directly, so you should never rely on it as a standalone pest management treatment. Instead, use a DIY pesticide like Raid® Wasp & Hornet Killer 33, or call in a professional for help.

Will more wasps come if you kill one?

Killing a wasp can cause the release of alarm pheromones that alert other wasps of danger, so it can attract others and put you and your property in greater danger. Relying on professional treatment that kills wasps on site and deters others is the best way to avoid a worsening issue.

Will Dawn dish soap spray kill wasps?

Dawn dish soap spray can kill wasps because the thick liquid can clog their breathing pores. However, it doesn’t always work, so you shouldn’t rely on this as your only treatment method. Instead, use over-the-counter pesticides designed for wasps or call a professional exterminator for guaranteed results.

(this article was updated to add new information)