One simple, two-ingredient solution works brilliantly to get rid of wasps.
Since theyre visible, there shouldnt be any problem you wont know about.
Unlikehoney bees, their stingers are not barbed, enabling them to sting repeatedly.
NurPhoto/Getty Images
Look for these signs of wasp presence.
Wasps
The first sign of a wasp infestation is the wasps themselves.
Wasps look similar to bees but have longer, skinnier bodies and no fuzz.
Klaus Schulmann / 500px / Getty Images
Klaus Schulmann / 500px / Getty Images
Wasp Nests
Another sign of infestation: Nests!
Hess says youll usually find wasp nests under eaves or other surfaces.
If the nest is located in a wall void, you may not see the nest.
Paper Wasp Nest.MATTHIASRABBIONE/Getty Images
Instead, youll see the wasps flying in and out of the void entrance.
Sometimes wasps build their nests in concealed areas like bushes and trees, Hess adds.
Below are three common types of wasp nests to look out for.
Bald-Faced Hornet Nest.Rainbowphoto/Getty Images
Paper Wasp Nests:These are umbrella-like structures made from a paper-like material.
Similar to bee colonies, they take on a comb-like appearance.
MATTHIASRABBIONE/Getty Images
Bald-Faced Hornet Nest:Bald Faced hornets construct large, misshapen nests from a paper-like material.
Mud Dauber Nest.Désirée Russeau/Getty Images
These are the stereotypical nests you might think of when someone says hornet nest.
Some people describe them as a football shape.
Their nests resemble compact, cylindrical mud tubes attached to the wall and sometimes ceiling.
These nests are much smaller than the other types and tend to blend in with their surroundings.
Non-aggressive species of wasps include cicada killers, potter wasps, and mud daubers.
They sting and paralyze prey with their venom but rarely sting humans.
Wasps vs.
Though both belong to the same insect species (Hymenoptera), they’re very different insects.
Their appearances are distinctwhile bees are plumper and fuzzy, wasps are longer and smooth.
Wasps have longer legs and can even appear shiny.
Wasps eat other insects in addition to pollen, while bees are not carnivorous and consume only nectar.
Another way to tell the difference between bees and wasps is to look for their home.
Wasps make a nest out of chewed-up wood, while bees construct a hive from wax.
Honeybees will live in their hive for years, while wasps abandon their nests every year.
Wasp Life Cycle
The wasp life cycle is solely dependent on the queen of the nest.
Fertilized queens survive the winter while the rest of the nest dies off.
Queen wasps are significantly larger than worker wasps, often up to three times larger.
Instead, try one of these solutions first.
Whatever method you use, Hess advises doing the removal in the evening when wasps arent as active.
He adds, During an attack, wasps target movement, so spraying and running are generally not advisable.
A slow, deliberate retreat is preferable.
Combine 10 ounces of water with two ounces of dish soap and mix well.
This mixture suffocates the wasps by clogging the pores they breathe through and quickly kills them.
Only do this if its a small nest and the wasps arent aggressive.
Aerosol Wasp Spray
A store-bought aerosol spray thats intended to kill wasps or hornets is another option.
Pearson adds that abandoned nests can also attract pests like raccoons, rats, roaches and other stinging insects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, wasps that are away from the nest when spraying occurs will return.
Wait for a day, and spray it again if you’re still seeing wasps on the nest.
Repeat the process until you’ve stopped seeing activity.
Wasps are essential pollinators in the plant ecosystem.
Wasps don’t actively fly during this time, so they’re more likely to be inside the nest.
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