How to Get Rid of Wasps—and Keep Them From Coming Back

Learn about the most common types of wasps and how to get rid of them for good.

While warm weather opens up a variety of exciting opportunities—beach days, outdoor gardening, and barbecues—it also brings one unwanted thing with it: wasps. Wasps often flock to yards as blooms begin to appear and set up shelter in places of your home where they can protect themselves from the hot sun. These stinging insects can build nests underground, in trees, shrubs, overhangs, utility poles, tires, houses, sheds and other structures. To protect yourself, we tapped pest experts who shared their tips for how to prevent and get rid of wasps this season.

Meet the Expert

• Ian Williams, entomologist at Orkin, a pest control company

• Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., chief entomologist for National Pest Management Association (NPMA)

• Timothy Wong, technical director at M&M Pest Control (MMPC)

• Adrienne Roethling, garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden

Related: How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Garden

Types of Wasps

There are about 4,000 different types of wasps in the United States, but a few species are more common than others.

Mud Daubers

Less aggressive than other types of wasps, mud daubers rarely sting. This variety gets its name from its tendency to build mud nests on buildings and homes. "They are beneficial since they help reduce the numbers of some pest insects and spiders," says Ian Williams, an entomologist at Orkin. They're defined by their long, slender waist and dark black or blue metallic color that sometimes has yellowish or green body markings.

Paper Wasp

Paper wasps range in color from brown to yellow and may even have reddish markings. "They build open nests shaped like inverted umbrellas, constructed from papery material they produce from saliva and chewed bits of wood," says Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). "The nests are often seen hanging under eaves, shutters, or underneath decks or railings." Paper wasps aren't overly aggressive but will attack if they are bothered or their nest is disturbed.

Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets, which have yellow bodies and black markings, are one of the most common and aggressive types of wasps. "Unlike bees, yellowjackets don't look fuzzy, so they are easy to differentiate from honey bees and bumblebees," Fredericks says.

Yellowjackets are highly territorial and will sting if their nests are threatened. They typically build homes in the ground or in voids like dead trees or the wall of homes. Wasps are known to sting repeatedly and can cause allergic reactions. "They feed on sweets and proteins, so be sure to clean up any crumbs or spills and cover all food items at outdoor events," Fredericks says.

Bald-Faced Hornets

The most aggressive of the commonly encountered stinging insects in the country, bald-faced hornets are black with pale yellow or white markings. They build large grayish, football-shaped nests in trees, bushes, or on buildings. Large colonies can grow nests to the size of a watermelon by the end of summer, Fredericks says.

Signs of a Wasp Infestation

If you're concerned you may have a wasp infestation, these are some telltale signs to look for.

Increased Wasp Activity

While it's normal to encounter one of two wasps outdoors during summer, seeing large numbers at once or on a regular basis is a clear sign of a nest nearby, says Timothy Wong, technical director at M&M Pest Control (MMPC). "Inside your home, hearing buzzing noises or finding dead wasps indicates a potential wasp nest somewhere indoors, usually in wall voids or attics," he says.

Nesting Sites

Wasp nests are one of the most obvious signs you have an infestation. "The site and appearance of wasp nests varies based on the species," says Wong. "Yellowjackets typically build underground nests in hidden locations like under bushes or in abandoned rat burrows. Paper wasps and bald-faced hornets build large, paper-like nests that hang from high places." Check these areas if you think you may have a wasp issue.

Damaged Wood

Another sign of a wasp infestation is damaged wood. Wasps chew on and use the pulp from wood as building material for their papery nests, says Wong. You may see pieces from missing fences, furniture, and other wooden structures in or around your home.

Things That Attract Wasps

Knowing what attracts wasps to your yard or home will help you prevent them from visiting.

Food and Beverages

Wasps are often drawn to areas with food and beverages that have been left out. "Wasps can get the carbohydrates they need from fruits, sugary drinks, and other sweets, which is why they’re seen foraging for food around picnic tables, garbage cans, and inside people’s homes," says Wong. Additionally, be sure to clean up any crumbs or spills and keep garbage and recycling bins securely closed.

Flowers

While wasps are known for eating other insects, nectar from flowers is also an important part of their diet. "They are naturally attracted by cues leading them to flowers, such as bright colors and sweet scents," says Wong.

Light and Warmth

Wasps are also attracted to light and warmth, finding their way indoors through open windows and gaps in search of shelter, says Wong. "Many species have a life cycle where they seek out protected nesting sites to overwinter, then re-emerge during the spring to build new nests," he says.

How to Prevent Wasps

Wasps are most common during the second half of summer and early fall when colonies are at their largest, and the pests are actively searching for food. Despite how common they are, it is possible to prevent the insect from finding a safe harbor in or near your property.

Avoid Fragrant Flowers

Growing any type of flower in your garden means you run the risk of attracting wasps, as the plants serve as a food source. Most gardeners love to plant fragrant and brightly colored flowers, but if you are especially wasp-wary, consider limiting these plants to keep wasp numbers low. Additionally, limit the number of foliage plants in your garden that wasps may find attractive, like caladium, ferns, hosta, heuchera, and succulents.

Keep Your Yard Clean

Keeping your yard clean is one of the most important aspects of wasp prevention. "Wasps, like yellow jackets, are drawn to areas that have large amounts of food waste, garbage, and recycled containers that are poorly washed," Williams says. "Keep food covered before and after cooking, and keep sweet drinks covered or in a clear container."

Use Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is known to be an effective wasp repellent, says Williams. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and use it in areas where wasps may be drawn to, like overhangs, eaves, picnic tables, the underside of porches and desks, as well as in shrubs, trees, and sheds.

How to Get Rid of Wasps in Your Home

If you have a wasp infestation in your home, there are ways to manage it. However, if the problem persists, you may need to call a professional to help you safely remove these insects.

Inspect Your Home for Entry Points

It's possible wasps are coming into your home through small gaps or cracks in your foundation. Sealing these entry points can help isolate the issue and make getting rid of wasps easier. "If you have screens on your doors or windows, make sure they don't have any tears since wasps can fit through tiny holes," Williams says. "Make sure vents and screens leading to your attic are in good condition and have small enough screening to deny wasps entry."

Hang Wasp Traps

The most common and effective way to get rid of wasps before they become a real problem is by hanging traps. "When they crawl into the trap, they get stuck and drown," says Williams. "Traps should be hung away from the area you are trying to protect."

Use Soap and Water

Fill a spray bottle with two tablespoons of dish soap and water then spray it onto any wasps nests around your home. This treatment will clog the wasps' pores, killing them almost instantly, Williams says.

Call a Professional

Fredericks warns that stinging insects can become aggressive if provoked, so it's best to contact a licensed pest control professional to safely remove the nest from your home. "If you spot a nest, address it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the larger and more aggressive the colony will become," he says.

How to Get Rid of Wasps in the Yard

Wasps are attracted to yards because they are looking for a source of food or shelter. Removing these attractants can help get rid of wasps in your landscape. But if you are dealing with a severe infestation, calling a professional is the safest and best option.

Clean Up Garden Scraps

Clean up any kitchen garden waste or scraps. "Do not let tomatoes, figs, peppers, strawberries, or more rot on the ground in the vegetable garden," says Adrienne Roethling, the director of curation and mission delivery at the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden. "I encourage folks to have a compost pile that is far away from the garden." Wasps also prey on a variety of bugs crawling in your garden, like aphids—clean plants of aphids to make your garden a less habitable environment for wasps.

Grow Decoy Plants

Keep wasps from coming near high-traffic areas of your yard, like the pool, garden, and patio by planting decoy plants elsewhere on your property. "Wasps are attracted to herbs like fennel or ornamental plants like goldenrod and thistle," says Roethling. Planting these in spaces you don't often frequent can keep wasps further away from your garden.

Use Wasp Spray

Another effective and easy way to get rid of wasps is with a store-bought wasp nest spray. If you go this route, Williams recommends wearing protective clothing and spraying the area on a cool morning when wasps tend to be less active.

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.