Discovering that you have a wasp infestation may be quite alarming and overwhelming, especially with the serious health threat they pose. If you’ve found a few wasps hovering around the outside of your home or perhaps discovered a wasps nest, it’s important that you take action right away to avoid any potential problems for you and your family; especially if someone in your home is allergic to wasp stings. Here’s how you can properly identify a wasp infestation and what you should do when you confirm that there is, in fact, an infestation.
Identifying a Wasp Infestation
Many individuals commonly confuse the identification of a wasp nest with a beehive. This can be dangerous for many reasons, because not only do beehives need to be handled differently but some people have a severe allergic reaction to one or the other species. To properly identify the nest on your property, it’s crucial for you to learn what the wasp nest looks like and how to find the nest if you see a swarm of wasps. Generally, wasp nests will start off small and progressively grow throughout the summer as more wasps are added to the colony.
Yellow jackets tend to burrow their nests underground, and you may not find one until you step on it or accidentally disturb the nest while you’re cutting the grass. Hornets will attach their nests to the sides of your home or on a tree branch. These wasps tend to be the most aggressive and hardest to deal with. Their nests will grow prominently large and get as big, or bigger, than a football. Spotting a hornet nest and attempting to remove it on your own can bring danger, and it’s best to contact a professional to handle the situation safely. Since hornet nests are stronger, it can take a bit of penetration to break the nest, which can cause a major disturbance for these aggressive wasps.
A paper wasp nest will look a little different in shape, as it will take more of an upside-down umbrella shape and be found near the lining of your roof or areas like it. Mud wasps will have a smaller nest that can be found in or around masonry cracks under the deck or in the attic. The European hornet will build a nest covered in a paper material that is usually found both outdoors and indoors. These specific nests usually hide out inside of walls, on trees, the sides of buildings, and in the attic. If you are unsure what type of wasp colony you are dealing with, but you know you have a problem, feel free to contact a professional wasp removal Toronto expert to properly identify and remove the nest.
How to Handle the Infestation
Once you find that you are dealing with a wasp infestation, the important thing to remember is not to panic, although that may seem difficult at first. If you choose to treat the removal of the nest on your own, there are many precautions that you must take before tackling the project. There are many sprays and chemicals sold to kill and remove wasps, however, they can be almost as dangerous as the wasp itself if not used properly. It may seem like doing it yourself will save you money in the beginning, but it’s better to have the situation handled professionally to ensure it’s done safely and effectively. If the nests are hidden inside of your walls or roof of your home, it’s best to bring in a professional right away without attempting to attack the nest on your own.
If you decide to tackle an outside and visible nest on your own, here are some points to remember:
- Be sure to use a chemical treatment that is designed for wasps, as they have been tested for effectiveness
- Wait until after dark to treat the nest, since they will most likely be resting and won’t have the sun to direct their attack
- Understand the type of wasps you are dealing with to prevent potential danger
- Never swat at the wasps or their nest – they will become extremely aggressive and defensive
Wasps are much more dangerous and aggressive than bees, which is why it’s important to handle the situation safely. Wasps can sting multiple times during an attack and this could potentially be dangerous for people that are deathly allergic to the sting. They are known to swarm together and aggressively attack their predator when they feel threatened, making it difficult to avoid or get away from them. If you suspect a wasp infestation, your best bet is to contact a pest control company that is equipped to properly remove the wasp nest from your property.