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Wasp stings can cause severe health problems such as multi-organ failure and even death. Although most cases won’t have these terrible consequences, you won’t want to have a wasp nest on your property.
But what are the best tips for safe and successful wasp removal? Getting rid of wasps can be dangerous, and you must take a sensible and measured approach that reduces the risk of you or others coming to harm.
Although you should always exercise caution depending on the individual circumstances, there are 7 ways you can lower the risk factor when removing wasps from your home.
Read on to learn more.
1. Identify the Exact Location of the Wasp Nest
Finding the location of a wasp nest isn’t always easy. Although you might spot a large nest in the eaves of your house, some are hidden away in discreet spots that you might not notice.
For example, wasps often like to build their nests in shady and well-protected areas where they will be safe. This can include places like your attic, in a tree, or even under your patio decking.
You can try techniques such as listening for loud buzzing within your home and watching the fight paths of wasps as they return to their nest. You can also look in common nesting locations, although you should be careful not to get too close.
2. Wear the Right Personal Protective Equipment
Before you begin the wasp’s nest removal process, you should wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE). Make sure you cover as much of your skin as possible by wearing long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of heavy-duty gloves. Your clothes should not have holes in them where a wasp could access your skin.
You could also be stung in the eye, so wearing safety goggles is essential. If you have one, it’s a good idea to wear a full face mask, but if not, then you should at least have a respirator mask to protect you from pesticide fumes.
Of course, even when you take precautions, there is still the chance you could come to harm when extracting a wasp nest. To keep yourself safe and ensure the nest is removed properly, check these pest control services.
3. Clear the Area
You can’t predict what wasps will do when you try to get rid of their nest. It’s possible they’ll feel threatened, become angry, and attack you, potentially having serious consequences.
Therefore, you need to clear the area so the people required to move the nest are the only ones present. If the nest is outside, move everyone into your home and close the doors and windows.
Should the nest be inside, make sure the property is empty and that the people outside are not standing beside open windows or doors that wasps might use to escape.
4. Approach the Wasp Nest at Night
Wasps are most active during the day, so it’s best to remove the nest after dusk. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be safe, only that the wasps will be less active before they sense their nest is being approached. You should also bear in mind that visibility will be reduced, making it more difficult to extract a nest without causing unnecessary disturbance to its inhabitants.
5. Choose Your Wasp Nest Removal Method Wisely
If you are trying to remove a nest without using a wasp pest control service, you need to be wary of causing more harm than good. There is plenty of advice on the internet about getting rid of wasps in the home, but not all of it is practical or even safe.
For example, trying to smoke wasps out of their nest can cause a fire which could quickly get out of control. Using chemicals can lead to you or others breathing toxic fumes, and trying to pick a nest up can result in provoking the wasps who could then sting you before you have a chance to get away.
This can be a precarious task, and you need to think your plan through carefully before attempting to get rid of wasps.
6. Look For Wasps That You’ve Missed
There may be some wasps left after you remove a nest, and you could notice a wasp on the porch or in your living room. You might not mind this and just be happy that the nest is gone. But you can light candles that have scents that wasps dislike such as citronella and lemongrass to encourage them to leave.
7. Remove What Is Attracting Wasps
To reduce the chances of these summer pests coming back and building another nest in your home, you can take some simple steps to keep them away.
Make sure you don’t leave food uncovered, and put your trash in a secure garbage can. Always clean your BBQ after use to get rid of food smells and debris, and remove any fruit that has fallen off trees or bushes on your property.
This will make your home less attractive to wasps and they will instead look for different places to build a nest.
Take Care During Wasp Removal
Getting rid of wasps can be tricky, and it’s not a process that you should undertake lightly. It’s vital to wear the right PPE and to use a wasp removal method that won’t cause further problems. To reduce the chances of these pests returning, you can also cover up food waste that may be attracting them to your property. Before you head off to get rid of a wasp nest on your property, check out more of our helpful blog posts.
