How To Get Rid Of Wasps Around House: Your Sustainable Guide

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

There’s nothing quite like relaxing in your garden on a sunny afternoon, surrounded by the beautiful plants you’ve worked so hard to nurture. But then you hear it—that low, angry buzz. A wasp, then another, circling your patio table a little too closely for comfort.

I know that feeling all too well. It can turn a peaceful sanctuary into a source of anxiety, making you want to run back inside. It’s a common frustration for so many of us who love the outdoors.

But don’t worry, my friend. I promise you can reclaim your space without declaring all-out chemical warfare on your garden’s ecosystem. In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to get rid of wasps around house using effective, sustainable, and gardener-friendly methods.

We’ll cover everything from identifying the culprits and using natural deterrents to safely handling a nest and, most importantly, preventing them from coming back. Let’s restore the peace to your garden, together.

First, A Word on Wasps: Friend or Foe?

Before we jump into removal, it’s helpful to understand our six-legged neighbors a bit better. As gardeners, we know that not every insect is a pest. In fact, many wasps are incredibly beneficial!

Many species are predatory, hunting caterpillars, aphids, and other insects that would love to make a meal of your prized tomatoes or roses. They are also effective pollinators, contributing to the health of your garden. The problem arises when their territory and ours overlap too much.

The main culprits we worry about are social wasps like yellow jackets, paper wasps, and hornets. They build nests in, on, or near our homes—under eaves, in wall cavities, or even in the ground—and can become aggressive when they feel their colony is threatened. Understanding this helps us approach the situation with a clear head, focusing on managing the problem, not just eliminating an insect.

Your Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Rid of Wasps Around House Safely

Ready to get started? This step-by-step process is your complete how to get rid of wasps around house guide. We’ll focus on safety and effectiveness, using methods that are kind to your garden and your family.

Step 1: Observe and Identify (From a Safe Distance!)

The first step is to play detective. Knowing what you’re dealing with dictates your entire approach. Grab a pair of binoculars or use your phone’s zoom lens and observe from a safe distance.

  • Paper Wasps: They have long legs that dangle when they fly and build distinctive open-comb, umbrella-shaped nests from a papery pulp. You’ll often find these hanging from eaves, porch ceilings, or window frames. They are generally less aggressive unless their nest is directly threatened.
  • Yellow Jackets: These are often mistaken for bees but have a much sleeker, less fuzzy body with distinct black and yellow markings. They are highly aggressive and often build large, enclosed nests underground, in wall voids, or in dense shrubs. Use extreme caution with yellow jackets.
  • Hornets: Typically larger than other wasps, hornets (like the Bald-Faced Hornet) build large, enclosed, papery nests that look like a gray, bloated football, often hanging from tree branches or the side of a building. They are very protective of their nest and can be quite dangerous.

Identifying the nest location is the most critical piece of information you can gather.

Step 2: Prevention Is Your Best Tool

The easiest wasp problem to solve is the one you never have. The benefits of how to get rid of wasps around house are greatest when you do it proactively. Here are some best practices to make your home less inviting.

  • Seal Entry Points: In early spring, before queens start building, walk around your house. Seal any cracks in siding, repair torn window screens, and cover any open vents or pipes where a queen might see a perfect home.
  • Manage Food Sources: Wasps are attracted to proteins and sugars. Keep trash cans tightly sealed, clean up spills and crumbs after outdoor meals, and don’t leave pet food sitting out. If you have fruit trees, be sure to pick up fallen fruit promptly.
  • Hang Decoy Nests: Wasps are fiercely territorial. Hanging a few fake nests around your porch, deck, and eaves can trick a scouting queen into thinking the area is already claimed, encouraging her to move on. It’s a simple, surprisingly effective, and completely eco-friendly how to get rid of wasps around house method.

Step 3: Use Natural and Eco-Friendly Deterrents

If you have wasps buzzing around but can’t find a nest, deterrents are your best friends. These methods create an environment they simply don’t like.

One of my favorite how to get rid of wasps around house tips is using plants. Many herbs and flowers that we love are despised by wasps. Consider planting these in pots near your patio or in garden beds along your foundation:

  • Mint (Spearmint, Peppermint)
  • Wormwood
  • Eucalyptus
  • Citronella
  • Geraniums

You can also make a simple DIY repellent spray. Mix a cup of water with a few drops of peppermint, clove, and geranium essential oil in a spray bottle. Lightly mist this around window frames, doorways, and outdoor seating areas. Wasps hate the smell and will often avoid the area. Reapply every few days and after it rains.

Step 4: Set Strategic Traps

Traps can be very effective for reducing the number of foraging wasps, especially yellow jackets. You can buy commercial traps or make your own.

To make a simple DIY trap, cut the top third off a 2-liter soda bottle. Invert the top piece and place it inside the bottom part, like a funnel. Bait the trap with something sweet in the spring (like sugar water or soda) or something protein-based in the late summer and fall (like a small piece of lunch meat). Wasps fly in but can’t figure out how to fly out.

Place traps away from your main living areas to draw the wasps away from where you want to be. Don’t place them right on your patio table!

Step 5: Handling an Existing Nest (With Extreme Caution)

If you’ve found a nest and determined it must be removed, safety is your number one priority. If you are allergic to stings, or if the nest is large, in a difficult-to-reach spot, or belongs to an aggressive species like hornets or yellow jackets, please call a professional. It is not worth the risk.

For a small, exposed paper wasp nest, a DIY approach may be possible. If you choose to proceed:

  1. Wait for the Right Time: Treat the nest at dusk or dawn. Wasps are in the nest and less active at these times. Never approach a nest in the middle of the day.
  2. Wear Protective Clothing: This means long sleeves, long pants, gloves, closed-toe shoes, and a hat. Tuck your pants into your socks. You want no exposed skin.
  3. Use a Wasp & Hornet Spray: These sprays are specifically designed to shoot a stream from 15-20 feet away, allowing you to keep a safe distance. Aim for the opening of the nest and saturate it completely.
  4. Leave Immediately: Do not stand around to watch. Spray the nest and walk away calmly and quickly.
  5. Check and Remove: The next day, observe the nest from a distance. If you see no activity, you can knock it down with a long pole and dispose of it.

Common Problems With How to Get Rid of Wasps Around House (And Solutions)

Even with a solid plan, you might run into a few snags. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them.

Problem: “I got rid of one nest, but they just built another one!”

Solution: This usually means your prevention strategy needs a boost. The original nest location was appealing for a reason. Do another sweep of your property for potential entry points and food sources. Consistency with deterrents is key.

Problem: “My natural repellents don’t seem to be working.”

Solution: Natural methods often require more frequent application than chemical ones. Reapply your sprays after rain or every few days. Also, double-check for hidden attractants. A leaky hummingbird feeder or a hidden patch of fallen apples can easily overpower the scent of your peppermint spray.

Problem: “I can’t find the nest, but they’re everywhere!”

Solution: This is classic yellow jacket behavior. They may have a ground nest nearby or be nesting in a neighbor’s yard. This is the perfect scenario for using traps to reduce the population of foragers in your immediate area.

Sustainable Wasp Management: Best Practices for Gardeners

As gardeners, our goal is to create a balanced ecosystem. A truly sustainable how to get rid of wasps around house approach focuses on long-term harmony. It’s not about eliminating every wasp but about setting boundaries so we can coexist peacefully.

This means prioritizing prevention and deterrents over removal whenever possible. If you spot a small paper wasp nest in a far corner of your yard where it isn’t bothering anyone, consider leaving it be. Those wasps are likely providing excellent pest control for your garden plants.

Think of this as part of your overall Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy. By making your immediate living spaces—your deck, patio, and doorways—unattractive to wasps, you encourage them to build their homes elsewhere, allowing them to still perform their beneficial roles in the wider garden ecosystem. This is the heart of our how to get rid of wasps around house care guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Rid of Wasps

What is the best time of year to deal with wasps?

Early spring is the best time for prevention. Queen wasps emerge from hibernation and look for new places to build. If you can deter them then, you’ll prevent a large colony from ever establishing. For removal, late fall is also an option, as the colony naturally dies off, leaving only the queen to overwinter elsewhere.

Do fake wasp nests really work?

Many gardeners, myself included, have had great success with them. Wasps are territorial and generally won’t build a new nest within 200 feet of an existing one. Placing a few decoys in early spring can be a very effective, low-effort deterrent.

What scents are proven to repel wasps?

Wasps have a strong sense of smell and dislike a number of potent scents. The most effective are essential oils from the mint family (peppermint, spearmint) and strong herbs like clove, geranium, lemongrass, and eucalyptus. You can plant these or use their essential oils in sprays.

Your Peaceful Garden Awaits

Dealing with wasps can feel intimidating, but you are now equipped with the knowledge and confidence to handle it. By focusing on identification, prevention, and using the right method for your specific situation, you can create a safe and relaxing outdoor space.

Remember to always prioritize your safety, respect the role these insects play in our ecosystem from a distance, and never hesitate to call a professional for a large or aggressive nest.

Now you have the complete playbook on how to get rid of wasps around house. Go forth and enjoy the beautiful, peaceful garden you’ve created!

Rimon Chowdhury
Latest posts by Rimon Chowdhury (see all)
READ MORE  Best Plants For Outdoor Pots – Create Stunning Container Gardens

Similar Posts