Wasps are very aggressive insects when the summer moves into August and September. Wasps lose their natural food source, flowers nectar as many plants stop flowering. Wasps then look for high carbohydrate and sugary snacks to feed on. Where do they find them? In your backyard on your deck when you are having a pop or steak or anything that meets their needs. Wasps can sting you multiple times as they have no barb on their stinger which can make for many very painful stings on you. Protect yourself and your backyard by following these control steps below.
Wasp Spray
If you have a visible hanging nest then you can use the wasp spray. For a more effective treatment make sure to perform only at night or when it is almost dark. Make sure to be fully clothed, covered as much as you can from head to toe. They are not likely to exit the nest, but it is best to be prepared.
You want to saturate the opening of the nest first, then, once you have done this follow up by saturating the entire exterior of the nest. Leave the nest for approximately 24 hours, and remove the nest the following evening. Make sure that before you remove the nest that there isn’t any further activity. When removing the nest, take the same precautions as mentioned earlier regarding clothing. Be sure to remove the entire nest, including any pieces that fall to the ground during removal.
Jet Foam
Foam can also be used instead of a spray when a nest is visible. Please be sure to take the same safety precautions as mentioned above. When using the foam, first, fill the hole on the underside of the nest. Once this is done, no wasps will be able to leave the nest. Now, attach the straw to the nozzle and puncture the nest with it, filling it with foam. Leave the nest for approximately 24 hours and then remove.
Insect Dust
If you are treating an area where wasps are frequently traveling in and out of a nest that you cannot see, you should be using a labelled insecticide insect dust. Using a dust allows the insect to move through it, the insecticide dust sticks to the wings and legs. The reason for the use of the dust over the spray in these situations is because when you spray into the cracks/holes, you aren’t necessarily spraying the nest. You are more than likely spraying the back of a wall, missing the nest completely.
Again, be sure to perform the treatment only at night, or when it is almost dark, and take the necessary safety precautions mentioned above. Using a flashlight will help distract any wasps that exit the nest, point the light towards the opening of the nest and away from you, the wasps will be attracted to the light.
Poulin’s Pest Control will be more than happy to assist with wasp removal so you don’t have to tackle this on your own. We are trained and licensed and will remove wasps during the day when control is much more difficult, but successful. Contact Poulin’s Pest Control at 1-888-768-5467.