Wasps can turn your backyard or home into a stressful, sting-filled zone—especially in the warmer months. Unlike bees, they tend to be aggressive, making outdoor spaces feel off-limits. If you’re dealing with a wasp infestation, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of them for good. Luckily, there are effective ways to remove wasps and keep them from returning. In this guide, we’ll cover 8 proven tips and tricks to eliminate wasps safely and prevent future nests so you can confidently reclaim your space.
4 Types of Wasps You May Be Dealing With
If you’re seeing an increase in wasp activity around your home or business, nests in sheltered areas, chewed wood, or aggressive behavior from these flying pests, you may have an infestation on your hands. However, do you know which type of wasp you’re dealing with? Knowing the pests that are on your premises can help you protect yourself and your property correctly. You’ll also learn more about where to look for these pests and the behavior of different types of wasps, helping you successfully get rid of them. Here are 4 common types of wasps that may be infesting your property:
1. Yellow Jackets
Yellow Jackets are social wasps distinguished by their black and yellow striped bodies. They are often ⅜–⅝ of an inch and more aggressive than other types of wasps, stinging multiple times if threatened. These wasps build nests in the ground, trees, attics, or under eaves, and each nest can contain hundreds or even thousands of Yellow Jackets. They are attracted to sweet foods and are more aggressive in late summer or early fall since food is sparse in the colder months.
2. Paper Wasps
Paper Wasps earn their name due to their unique, open-combed, hexagonal-shaped paper nests made from wood fiber. They are brown with yellow markings, measuring about 6–12 mm long. Paper Wasps build their nests along roof eaves, mailboxes, window corners, or plant leaves. These wasps aren’t usually aggressive but can become so if their nest is threatened.
3. Hornets
Hornets are a type of wasp closely related to Yellow Jackets. They’re typically larger than Yellow Jackets but are similarly aggressive with a painful sting. Hornet nests can be found in bushes, trees, or other elevated areas. Most of their nests are built on tall trees or plants. Hornets rarely sting but will if threatened—and when they feel threatened, they swarm.
4. Mud Daubers
Mud daubers are also recognized by their nests, which are made from mud. They are dark, black wasps with small yellow markings and narrow, long waists. Mud daubers aren’t aggressive and rarely sting humans. Their nests are found in covered areas, including in attics, on sides of a building, or under eaves. They’re attracted to spiders, paralyzing them and bringing them to their nests to eat.
- Read our article on California wasps for location-specific knowledge about these pests in the Golden State.
Wasps vs. Bees
When identifying wasps, knowing the difference between these pests and bees is essential. Here are a few distinguishing factors that differentiate bees and wasps:
| Wasps | Bees |
|---|---|
|
Appearance:
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Appearance:
|
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Nesting: They have no wax-producing glands, so they build nests from paper-like substances like wood pulp. They’re often grey and hang from trees or eaves. |
Nesting: Bee “hives” are waxy and found in sheltered locations, including tree hollows or inside structures like an attic. |
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Diet: They are omnivores that feed on various foods, including fruit, insects, and sweet substances like honey or nectar. |
Diet: They are herbivores that feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Bees are crucial for the ecosystem because they pollinate crops and plants. |
How to Get Rid of Wasps: 4 Tips
Wasps are stubborn pests, but getting rid of them is not impossible. Here are 4 of the best ways to get rid of wasps in your home, business, or garden:
1. Essential Oil Blend
Similar to other home remedies, such as baking soda for roaches or high-heat treatments for bed bugs, essential oils are a solid DIY strategy for getting rid of wasps. Research shows that scents, including clove, lemongrass, rosemary, and geranium, repel wasps, and your home will benefit from the positive smell.
Choose any of the mentioned essential oils and mix a few drops with two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and two cups of water in a spray bottle. To discourage wasps from returning, spray this essential oil solution on visible nests or places where they are active. You can also spray this solution on wall cracks, door frames, eaves, or other spaces where they are most likely to be attracted.
2. Commercial & Homemade Traps
Buy a commercial wasp trap or build your own and set it up outside to ward off wasps. DIY wasp traps are easy to make and effective in keeping these pests at bay. They work by luring in the flying critters with a sweet, sticky substance via a small entrance they can’t fly out of. When wasps get stuck in the liquid, they cannot move and get out again, successfully killing them.
Wasp traps will keep a few wasps from interfering with you on a hot summer’s day—but they’re ineffective for an entire nest. In that case, it’s best to call the professionals, like Preventive Pest Control in Southern California.
3. DIY Soapy Water Spray
Just like essential oils, a soapy water mixture can effectively get rid of wasps. Once you’ve found a small outdoor nest, a soap solution can block the breathable space and prevent clean air from getting in, which kills the wasps inside. For DIY treatment, simply mix two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and one cup of water in a spray bottle.
After spraying the affected area, move away quickly. The wasps can become aggressive once they sense the spray inside their home.
4. Vinegar
Vinegar is an effective killer of various pests, including stubborn wasps. The acetic acid in vinegar exterminates wasps—and you can make the wasp-killing solution at home. Dilute vinegar in a deep bowl and add sugar to attract wasps. Set it outside or near a wasp nest and wait for the pests to approach. The sweet scent will attract them, and they’ll quickly drown in the liquid. The only downside to this DIY method is the scent isn’t the most pleasant, so it’s best to keep it outside.
Getting Rid of Wasp Nests
Once you’ve used the method above, you may have an empty wasp nest you need to get rid of. Wasp nest removal can be challenging and even potentially dangerous if the flying pests still live there. If you’ve used a DIY wasp killer or commercial deterrent, wait 24 hours after spraying the nest and spray once more if wasps are still active.
Before removing a wasp nest, wear protective clothing like gloves, long sleeves and pants, and a hat to cover your head and face. Carefully cut down the nest with a long pole or stick, placing it in a thick plastic bag for disposal. Make sure to put the bag in an outdoor trash can with a tight lid.
If you don’t feel comfortable removing a nest or if it’s too far to reach, call a pest control company to get rid of it for you. They have the knowledge and tools to remove wasp nests and may even give you prevention tips for the future.
How to Stop Wasps From Coming Back: 4 Strategies
Killing wasps is one thing, but preventative work is just as important. Here are 4 ways you can stop wasps from coming back to your home or garden:
1. Remove Food Sources
Wasps will not leave your home or business if there is still a food source. These pests are attracted to sugary substances and any food that isn’t covered. Dog food bowls, open trash cans, or compost bins can all be attractants for wasps. Cover your compost areas and plants, and ensure your trash can bins and open food sources are always securely covered. Keep food indoors and sealed in tight containers to stop wasps from coming back. If you spill food or drinks, clean it immediately to prevent a wasp infestation.
2. Keep Vegetation Trimmed
There are several plants that keep wasps out of your yard. Mint, lavender, and eucalyptus are all plants that can actively stop wasps from coming back to your property. If you have additional plants in your garden, they can quickly attract wasps if not correctly handled. Keep your shrubs, trees, and bushes trimmed year-round since wasps will likely build an outside nest in overgrown vegetation where they can be covered.
3. Fill in Wall Cracks
Wasps are sneaky critters, making their way into your property even in the tiniest cracks. If there are small holes around your windows or extra space between your wall sidings, a wasp can easily make their way in. If you notice cracks or holes around your property, patch them and fill them with expandable sealant. To prevent wasps in the warm months, do this during autumn and winter while they’re not as active.
4. Call the Professionals
While you can try to get rid of wasps independently, professional maintenance is often required to keep them away. Additionally, getting rid of wasp nests can be dangerous, but skilled technicians know how to do it efficiently without putting you in danger. Professional wasp exterminators use strong wasp sprays that are usually more effective than at-home sprays, and the results last longer. Wasp control technicians also put in effort for preventative work, essential to keep wasps away from your property all year. If you’ve tried the methods outlined in this article but still have trouble keeping wasps away, it’s time to hire professionals.
Call Preventive Pest Control for Wasp Control & Prevention Work in Southern California
Don’t deal with wasps on your own. You may need professional pest control if you’ve tried the abovementioned methods and are still spotting these pests flying around your property. Fortunately, Preventive Pest Control provides expert wasp control in Orange County and the Inland Empire. For over 20 years, we’ve been recognized as the top exterminators in the area, providing fast, affordable, and lasting solutions for homes and businesses. Contact us to have us inspect your property and set up a wasp control plan for your property.