Hornets are one of the scariest pests to get rid of by yourself, but it is definitely possible to eliminate your hornet infestation if you’re careful about it. Protective clothing and a clear backup plan are two of the most important factors in a successful wasp removal strategy. After getting rid of the nest, you’ll need to take preventive measures against future hornet and wasp infestations. Below is a detailed guide for how to get rid of hornet nests.
Removing the nest
1. Locate the nest; it is usually in a dry place protected from the elements, such as under your porch, in the eaves of your roof, in the attic, or along a doorway.
2. Get a special wasp insecticide from your home improvement store. All the wasp insecticides are essentially the same, so get at least two of the cheapest aerosol cans.
3. Don protective gear that covers every inch of your body. Tuck pants into socks and long sleeves into gloves. Wear a large brim hat covered by a nylon stocking that tucks into your collar. If you have a respirator, wear that too. Insecticide might not kill humans, but it’s definitely not good for you. If you do not have a respirator, wear something that covers your mouth and nose and make sure the area is well ventilated.
4. Plan out an escape route for after you spray the wasp nest. Make sure to retreat quickly after furiously spraying the nest, as any wasps that you might have missed will go after you. Breathing in the wasp insecticide is pretty harmful for your body as well, so you should exit the area fast.
5. Attack the wasp nest at night to catch all the wasps in the nest asleep, but you may have difficulties escaping the area if you can’t see your surroundings properly. If this is the case, attacking at dusk or dawn is also a viable option, but more hornets tend to be awake.
6. Attack the nest from far away, as most of these wasp and hornet killers have a spraying range up to 15 feet. After a while, start moving closer to the nest to spray.
7. Leave the nest alone for a while, as any wasps that return to the nest will also die on contact. Do not go near the area for a few days.
8. Remove the nest entirely by sticking it in a plastic bag and throwing it away.
People who are allergic to hornet and wasp venom should not attempt to do this by themselves, and should instead hire a professional pest control service to take care of their problem. The best solution is to use TalkLocal for free to find a pest control service that tackles wasps.
