Call a professional if you need to remove a wasp nest that is large, hidden, or hard to reach. Do not attempt wasp nest removal if anyone in the household is allergic to wasp stings.
A single paper wasp starting a small open comb on a far fence post in April is merely annoying. The trouble is that nests don’t make it obvious when you go from “annoying” to “dangerous.” It helps to know the difference before you’re on a stepladder with a broom handle making a judgment call.
Nests in wall voids, soffits, and attic edges automatically call for a professional. Spraying the entrance hole of a structural wasp nest can drive agitated wasps deeper into the wall and occasionally into the house. Ground nests are another situation where it’s better to just call someone. Yellowjackets can nest in old rodent burrows and other soil cavities. They’re invisible until the lawnmower or an unlucky kid in cleats finds one. If you’ve seen wasps coming in and out of a hole in the ground, don’t try to fix the problem on your own.
With those cases already ruled out, there are some wasp nests that you can take out on your own. But you need to consider size and season. A spring nest is a queen and a handful of workers. By late summer in Southeast Pennsylvania, that same colony can number in the thousands. If the nest is bigger than a fist, call a pro. If it’s late summer, call a pro even if the nest is small simply because they’re likely to be aggressive at that time of year.
And also non-negotiable: if anyone in the household reacts badly to stings, don’t try to fix the wasp problem on your own. Wasps can be very aggressive when disturbed. Professionals know how to assess nests based on type and location and remove them with the right equipment and gear. They can also help you keep them from rebuilding later.
If a nest on your property has crossed one of those lines, Mosquito Squad of Southeast Pennsylvania can help. Mosquito Squad handles assessment, removal, and site treatment, helping protect your household from stinging pests and their return.
