How to Identify a Hidden Wasps’ Nest

You may not realize you have a wasp problem until one chases you around the yard. Fortunately, most wasp nests are easy to find if you know where to look. Under the eaves, attached to soffits or on exterior walls – all are likely locations for a wasp nest. However, many wasps’ nests often go undetected for weeks or months, and these can quickly become more than a nuisance!

In the case of many common wasps, their nests are often not easily visible. They may be hidden within gaps in the exterior of your home, in shrubbery, or in the case of yellow jackets, they may be hiding underground! If you’ve been pestered by wasps, here’s how to track them back to their nest.

Areas to Check for Wasps’ Nests

Springtime is typically when wasps begin to re-emerge, but it takes until about mid-summer for most nests to fully establish themselves. By summer, you’ll definitely notice any wasps that are in the area.

Wasps commonly build nests in protected areas: along exterior walls, under wooden decks, on nearby trees and, occasionally, inside a home. Once a wasp nest becomes fully established, you’ll typically see a steady stream of wasps hovering around the nest entrance. So, if you know where to look, you can usually spot an active nest without much trouble. If you know you have wasps, take a look in these usual spots:

  • Along your eaves
  • Underneath windowsills
  • Garden sheds or garages
  • On or under playground equipment or lawn furniture
  • Gaps in soffits, exterior fascia or wooden decks
  • Around electrical equipment or wiring, such as your utility box or swimming pool equipment
  • Check trees near your garden if you’re being pestered during the day. Scout wasps often alert the nest to sources of food commonly found in gardens.

If You Find a Nest, Should You Leave It Aline?

While it may make sense to remove a wasp nest near your front door, porch or garage, some wasp nests can be very beneficial, especially if you spend time gardening or are plagued by other pests. Even though wasps can be intimidating (and painful), they are also incredible predators of other pests. Unless the nest is actively bothering you or causing you to run away from your front door each morning, you may want to consider allowing the nest to remain – at a reasonable size – to help control other pests.

How to Remove a Nest

Of course, nests in trafficked areas usually have to be dealt with. Small, free-hanging nests can usually be removed using retail sprays with minimized risk, but no wasp removal is without risk! For nests that are hidden within the fascia or in the ground, it is much safer (and cheaper) to get professional help for wasp control. At Florida Pest Control, we have decades of experience dealing with wasps and can safely destroy a dangerous nest. Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive inspection.

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