Most people in the Treasure Valley find a wasp nest the same way: someone gets stung taking out the trash, or there’s a steady stream of yellow jackets disappearing into a gap under the eaves. Once you know a nest is there, the question is what to do about it and what professional wasp nest removal actually involves.
Here’s a plain walk-through of the process, from finding the nest to keeping wasps from coming back next season.
Signs You Have a Wasp Nest
- Repeated traffic to one spot. Wasps flying in and out of the same gap in siding, a soffit, a deck board or a hole in the lawn.
- A visible nest. Paper wasps build open, umbrella-shaped combs under eaves, railings and playsets. Bald-faced hornets build enclosed gray paper nests in trees and shrubs.
- Ground activity. Yellow jackets often nest underground or in landscaping, and you’ll see them entering a small hole.
- Buzzing inside a wall or attic. A sign the nest is in a void, which is a job to leave to a professional.
Not sure what you’re looking at? Our wasp identification guide covers the common species around Boise and Eagle.
Why DIY Removal Often Goes Wrong
Store-bought foaming sprays can work on a small, exposed paper wasp nest early in the season. Larger nests are another story. Spraying from too close, knocking a nest down or plugging an entrance hole tends to send wasps out looking for whoever disturbed them, and plugging a hole in a wall can push them inside the house instead. Yellow jackets in particular defend their nests aggressively, and late-summer nests can be large.
What to Expect From Professional Wasp Nest Removal
1. Inspection
The technician finds the nest, or nests, and identifies the species. Paper wasps, yellow jackets and hornets nest differently, and the type and location decide how the nest is treated. They’ll also look around for satellite nests on other sides of the house.
2. Prep
You’ll be asked to keep people and pets inside and close nearby windows while the work is done. The technician wears protective gear, especially for nests that are high, inside a structure or in the ground.
3. Treatment
A product labeled for wasps is applied directly to the nest or its entrance, often a dust for ground and wall-void nests, since wasps carry it into the nest. Exposed nests may be treated with a spray or foam.
4. Removal
Exposed nests are usually knocked down and removed once activity stops. Nests inside walls are often left in place after treatment. Removing them would mean opening the wall, and a treated nest is generally not reused.
5. Prevention recommendations
Before leaving, the technician points out the gaps, vents and sheltered spots likely to attract the next queen, and treats common nesting areas where appropriate.
Before and After Treatment
Before: keep everyone away from the nest, don’t spray or plug it, and let us know where you’ve seen activity and whether anyone in the home is allergic to stings.
After: stay away from the treated area for a few hours. You may see some wasps for a day or two as returning foragers contact the treatment. That’s normal. Follow any instructions the technician gives you for that location.
Keeping Wasps From Coming Back
- Seal gaps in siding, soffits and fascia, and screen attic and dryer vents.
- Knock down small paper wasp starts in spring, when they’re the size of a golf ball, before they grow.
- Keep trash cans covered and rinse recycling bins.
- Clean up fallen fruit and keep pet food and sugary drinks covered on patios.
- Check under decks, railings and playsets every few weeks in spring and early summer. Our post on wasps nesting under Boise decks covers that spot in detail.
Wasp Season in the Treasure Valley
Queens come out of hiding in spring and start small nests. Colonies grow through June and July, and yellow jacket activity peaks in late summer and early fall, when nests are at their largest and food is harder to find. That’s when most stings around picnic tables and trash cans happen. Our wasp nest removal tips for Meridian include more on seasonal timing.
When to Call Right Away
- The nest is inside your home, attic or a wall void
- Anyone in the household is allergic to stings
- The nest is near a door, play area or walkway
- You’ve found more than one nest, or they come back every year
If someone is stung and has trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat, call 911.
Wasp Control With ProGuard
Wasps and hornets are core pests in our residential pest control, along with spiders, ants, mice and rats. We offer quarterly, bi-annual and one-time service, and quarterly service plan customers get free return visits. We also serve commercial properties.
ProGuard is based in Eagle and serves Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Star, Middleton, Emmett and Garden City. Call (208) 352-2062 or contact us to set up wasp nest removal.