Having wasps in your home is very annoying and could be dangerous if you’ve ever had to deal with one.
Wasps are aggressive insects that can sting multiple times, causing pain and swelling. They can also pose a serious threat to people with allergies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that between 2000 and 2017, hornet, wasp, and bee stings killed 1,109 people.
Wildlife like wasps is important, but when they build nests in and around our homes, they can be a bother.
We’ll talk about good ways to get rid of wasps inside and outside your home in this article. We’ll go over everything you need to know to keep these annoying bugs off your property, including the most common wasp species and how to safely get rid of them.
If you want to get rid of wasps for good, whether you already have an infestation or just want to stop future ones, keep reading.
Finding bees or wasps nesting in your bushes can be a scary and frustrating experience. Getting stung is painful and for some people, potentially life-threatening if they have an allergy. Taking care of an infestation properly is important for your safety. Here are some of the best ways to get rid of bees and wasps in bushes.
Identify the Type of Insect
The first step is identifying whether you are dealing with bees or wasps. Bees usually have furry bodies and do not have a narrow “waist” while wasps are smooth-bodied with slim waists. Honeybees and bumblebees are beneficial pollinators so you’ll want to avoid killing them if possible. Wasps provide some benefits but become more aggressive when their nest is disturbed.
If you see bees flying in and out of a hole in the ground, it is likely ground-nesting bumblebees which are docile and rarely sting unless provoked. Carpenter bees drilling perfectly round holes in wood are also pollinators to avoid killing.
Locate the Nest
Finding the nest during the daytime when insects are active can help you identify them and locate entry points However, removing nests is safer at night when most of the insects are inside Observe flight patterns to trace bees or wasps back to their nest. Search for holes or combs attached to branches hidden within foliage. Wasp nests are often gray or brown paper structures.
Shining a flashlight inside bushes at night may reveal nest locations but do this cautiously while wearing protective clothing in case any angry insects come out to investigate Mark nest sites with flagging tape so you can find them after dark if needed,
Use Preventative Measures First
Before taking steps to destroy nests and kill the insects, there are some non-lethal options to try first for bee nests. If you can tolerate them nesting in your bushes temporarily, they will vacate the nest over winter. For more immediate relief, you can try deterrents:
- Place wooden blocks or tubes nearby as alternative nesting sites to lure bees away
- Use fans or essential oils like peppermint, citronella or lemongrass around the nesting area
- Apply insect-repelling plants like lavender, catnip or garlic in the area
- Install fake wasp nests which may trick them into avoiding the area
- Dust nest entrances lightly with baking soda or diatomaceous earth
This may encourage the insects to move nests without killing pollinators. However wasp nests almost always need removal.
Remove and Destroy the Nest
To get rid of bees or wasps nesting in bushes, suits, gloves, and other protective clothing are a must. Pre-treat nests with an aerosol or powder insecticide labeled for the specific type of insect. This can help immobilize and kill some of them before nest removal.
Prune away small sections of bushes as needed to access nests. For bees, use a flat tool like a paint scraper to dislodge nests after pre-treatment. Try to keep the structure intact so you can relocate it if desired. For accessible wasp nests, knock it into a plastic bag then seal and throw it away.
Check for any remaining insects and spray again if needed. Seal up holes in branches or foliage to discourage re-nesting. Monitor the area and repeat removal steps if new nests appear.
Use Insecticides
If non-lethal deterrents fail to solve a bee or wasp problem, insecticide sprays or dusts directly into nests are an effective removal method:
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For bees, look for products containing permethrin, deltamethrin, or bifenthrin for nests in bushes. Avoid using soapy water sprays on bee nests which will kill them.
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For wasps, pyrethrin, permethrin, or tetramethrin products work well. Aerosol sprays can shoot up to 20 feet to reach nests high in bushes.
Follow all label instructions carefully, especially for products restricted to professional use. Apply at night and wear protective equipment to minimize stings. Young children and pets should not be present during treatment.
Call a Professional
Extensive infestations, nests in hard-to-reach areas, or highly aggressive insects may require calling in a pest control professional. They have specialized tools, protective gear, and stronger insecticides to eliminate nests safely. This is the best option if you are allergic to stings.
Be sure to ask if they use bee-safe removal methods whenever possible. However, if you have confirmed wasps, experts can use the most effective products and methods to permanently get rid of nests while protecting your property.
Getting rid of bees and wasps invading your landscaping can take some work, but is important for comfort and safety in your own yard. With careful observation along with deterrents or insecticides, you can clear them out of your bushes and prevent new nests from forming.
Spray the Wasp Nests
Wasp sprays work well to instantly kill wasps but you need to be careful while using them indoors. This is because these sprays have chemicals in them that are bad for your health and the health of your children and pets.
It might be best to spray the nest if it is in a room that isn’t used very often. If not, it would be best to contact a pest control expert.
Call a Professional Pest Control Company
You can call a professional pest control company if none of the above methods work to get rid of wasps in your yard. They will be able to provide a more thorough and effective solution to your wasp problem.
The pest control professionals will be able to tell you what kind of wasps are in your yard, suggest the best way to get rid of them, and give you a custom plan to do it. When you have big wasp colonies outside that might be too dangerous for you to handle by yourself, this is very important.
How to Get Rid of Bees in Bushes
FAQ
How do I keep bees away from my bushes?
Why are there so many wasps in my bushes?
Why are there so many bees in my bushes?
Can I spray wasp spray on bushes?
How do I get rid of wasps in bushes?
Clove oil, for instance, is a natural wasp repellent that I’ve used with great success. Its scent is repugnant to wasps, yet it’s harmless to plants, making it an excellent choice for gardens. With a combination of deterrents, traps, and safe removal techniques, it’s possible to get rid of wasps in bushes effectively.
Can one wash a bee sting site with water and hand soap?
Yes, washing a bee sting site with water and hand soap is a recommended first aid measure. When a bee stings, it leaves behind a venomous substance that can cause pain, swelling, and irritation. Washing the area with water and hand soap helps to remove any venom residue, dirt, or bacteria from the skin, reducing the risk of infection and minimizing the sting’s effects. After washing the area, you can apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. If there is any sign of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of the face and throat, seek immediate medical attention.
Does a plant repel bees & wasps?
Yes. It actually works. The answer is simple- you just set up a bunch of plants that bees and wasps hate. If they hate the plant, then they’ll stay away. There are multiple ways a plant can act as a natural repellent: Does using plants really work? Yes- they work. Are you still in doubt that such a natural and simple solution can work wonders?
How do I get rid of a wasp nest in a bush?
Getting rid of a wasp nest in a bush is a little more complicated than if you found a nest hanging from the eaves of your house. Certain products can be harmful to your plants and bushes if you spray them. You’ll want to look for something that is made with pyrethrin.
How to get rid of wasps and Hornets?
This is how to get rid of wasps and hornets. My first tip to you is simply making sure there is nothing outside of your house drawing them in, something like a hummingbird feeder or spoiled foods that have been left outside. If you’ve cleaned up around the yard, and still haven’t figured out a way to get rid of them, try this next tip!
How do I keep wasps away from my garden?
Most gardeners love to plant fragrant and brightly colored flowers, but if you are especially wasp-wary, consider limiting these plants to keep wasp numbers low. Additionally, limit the number of foliage plants in your garden that wasps may find attractive, like caladium, ferns, hosta, heuchera, and succulents.