How To Remove A Hornets Nest

Do you have black-looking hairless wasps that go near bodies of water (like swimming pools)? Do you have a huge brown nest in a tree or awning that looks like a swirling paper bag - with one large hole on the side or bottom? Are the nest holes covered? )? Chances are you have a hornet’s nest.( If the nest looks like a honeycomb you probably have paper wasps).

Are Hornet’s Nests Dangerous?

There’s a reason why someone describes something vicious as a “hornets’ nest” - hornet’s are vicious wasps who will persistently defend their nest - chasing their attacker hundreds of feet away.

Hornets can be beneficial (they eat lots of aphids and other small insects that hurt your plants and lawn) but they can also cause painful stings, attack multiple times and be dangerous to people who are allergic.

Hire A Professional To Remove The Nest If You Can.

Getting rid of a hornet’s nest is not easy and can be dangerous. If you do not have experience and can afford it, it is recommended you hire a pest control professional who can come with the appropriate clothing protection and remove the nest for you.

If You Want To Remove A Hornet’s Nest On Your Own:

If you want to remove a hornet’s nest on your own, buy a wasp/hornet nest spray that can travel at lest 30 feet and recognize there is a good likelihood you will get stung at least once.

Pick a cool night, dress completely in long sleeve jacket, think pants, gloves, a full face mask and goggles. Even better - buy a bee suit. Completely cover your extremities by attaching rubber bands your gloves and socks so there are no spaces for yellow jackets to enter, and bring a flashlight so you can find the nest. Go after the nest at night. Hornets are active during the day and less active at night when the air gets cooler so you have a better chance of destroying more hornets and killing the nest without getting attacked.

Before spraying, make sure you have a plan - including where you will spray and where you can make a quick get-away to an internal space. Then - right before dawn - Spray the nest from 10+ feet away with the hornet/wasp spray until the entire nest is coated and quickly run to an interior location with the doors and all windows shut. Remain inside - and keep all pets and children inside for at least 2-4 hours afterwards.

Again - getting rid of a hornet’s nest is a dangerous task. If you can, hire a professional to get rid of the nest for you. And if you do it yourself, be careful and recognize you and others around you likely will get stung.

Good luck and safe removal!