In this article, we’ll look at paper wasps, their nesting behavior, identification, signs of infestation, sting, and the removal of these pests and their nests.
These and several other points discussed below will help handle this pest problem and rid your home and surroundings of wasp nests.
How to Get Rid of Paper Wasp Nest
People daily deal with various pest issues ranging from rodents, roaches, mosquitoes, bugs, flies, ants, termites, and many other pest infestation cases.
Handling these pest issues the right way requires effective treatments and prevention. Here, we take a look at one of such pests.
About Paper Wasps
This wasp species can be aggressive when disturbed or perceive a threat to their nest.
Paper nests can be identified by their basic features, such as brownish color with yellow markings. Some wasps of this species bear reddish markings on their body.
They’re found across the United States and have wasp-like body shapes with six long legs. Paper wasps measure between 16 to 20mm. Now you may wonder how they got their name.
It’s due to the paper-like nesting material created. Also called umbrella wasps, their nests are in the form of an umbrella.
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Signs of Paper Wasp Infestation
You’ll often find paper wasps in small colonies. Identifying paper wasp infestation requires looking at common signs. Of course, their nests are one of the primary signs of their presence.
Paper wasps build nests in residential areas. If you’ve recently noticed wasp activity around your yard, you probably have an infestation.
To be sure you’re dealing with paper wasp infestations, you only need to look for paper-like nests around your yard. These nests are constructed from wood fiber which is collected from plants.
These are chewed to form or create paper-like hexagonal cells.
As mentioned earlier, the shape of these nests resembles upside-down umbrellas. You may find as many as 200 cells in mature paper wasp nests.
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Paper Wasp Stings can be Dangerous.
Although paper wasps won’t go out of their way to sting you, they will when they feel threatened. You’ll feel the sharp pain from such a sting when they do.
This is in addition to other conditions or allergies that may result.
Persons with allergies may experience conditions ranging from nausea, vomiting, cramps, difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling of the throat, lips, or eyelids.
Other allergy conditions include confusion, dizziness, fainting, and rapid heartbeat.
What to Do When Paper Wasp Nests are identified
While the first impulse for most people will be to take the necessary steps to get rid of these wasps, it’s interesting to note that paper wasps can benefit your garden.
How so? Like bees, these are pollinators that feed on nectar. What more? Caterpillars are ready to prey on paper wasps.
So, is that reason enough to let paper wasps remain in your garden? Not at all! We’ve only stated some surprising benefits most people don’t know of.
For the most part, paper wasps are viewed as a nuisance when they infest a yard. Their nesting sites can create an eyesore that needs to be removed.
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Getting Rid of Paper Wasp Nests
Before deciding what to do, it’s essential to consider that paper wasps will likely become aggressive when danger is perceived.
To avoid stings, it’s best to call for professional help. Pest control services handle pest problems, including paper wasp nest removal.
These pest technicians understand wasp behavior and safely handle or remove their nests. Most times, pest technicians will recommend annual pest control and maintenance.
This treatment process tends to be highly effective as it limits or prevents paper wasp nesting.
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Spray Wasp Nests
The Paper was nested and will need to be destroyed and removed. There are different ways to do this, including spraying with a preferred insecticide.
For this to be possible, you’ll need to wait until it’s dark when these wasps aren’t active. The cover of night gives you leverage as they cannot quickly locate the danger.
Wear long-sleeved clothing and cover as much skin as you can.
Now have the wasp nest drenched with insecticide spray. If you prefer a more natural treatment, consider making a spray mixture of water, dish soap, and peppermint oil.
Beyond spraying wasp nests at dawn, it’s necessary also to have them removed when you’re sure they’re dead. Wasps can reuse nests when not dislodged or removed.
So, getting rid of these nests ensures they don’t quickly return.
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Preventive Control
There are ways to keep your yard and home free of paper wasp activity. Here, the processes involved aren’t complex at all.
All you need to do is make your home less attractive to these stinging pests. Keep your shrubs and hedges trimmed, but before doing so, closely observe to see if they’ve already built a nest there.
Cracks and crevices also present entry routes used by paper wasps. You’ll need to go around your home to locate such cracks and crevices. Have them sealed up with silicone-based caulk.
Your window screens might also be torn. Provide a quick fix by mending torn areas of your screens.
When dining outdoors, consider keeping food covered. Paper wasps won’t hesitate to come around for some nourishment.
What more? Like bees, paper wasps are attracted to fragrances. So, you may have to limit solid scents, but this preventive measure won’t be popular with many people.
Paper Wasp Preventive Treatments
There are more preventive steps to take in getting rid of paper wasps and their nests.
These include adding wasp-repellent plants to your landscape. Examples include thyme, citronella, spearmint, wormwood, eucalyptus, geranium, marigolds, and pennyroyals.
If trashcans aren’t sealed, they offer ready attraction for paper wasps and other pests. Having these filled removes the incentive of these pests around your yard.
The professional treatment option is always effective when other treatments fail.
It’s not uncommon to find paper wasp nests around your yard. Due to the menace posed by these pests, they must be dislodged using the abovementioned strategies.
While doing that, utmost care must be taken to prevent stings.