How to Get Rid of a Wasp Nest

Not every wasp nest is built the same way, so not every nest is treated the same way. A paper wasp nest under the eaves, a hornet nest in a tree and a yellowjacket nest in the lawn each need their own approach. Identify the nest first, then treat it the way it is built. Here is how.

Why the type of nest matters

Paper wasps build open, umbrella-shaped combs under eaves, railings and decks, with the cells exposed. Hornets build enclosed paper nests in trees and shrubs, with an opening the colony uses to come and go. Yellowjackets often nest underground, with an entrance hole at ground level. Spray the wrong part of the nest and most of the colony is left untouched and on alert. (Why a disturbed nest turns defensive: Why do wasps get aggressive?)

How to get rid of a wasp nest

Treat before sunrise or after sunset, when wasps are least active, and stand upwind at a safe distance. Never spray from beneath a nest. Final Hex reaches up to 15 feet, so you can treat eaves, rooflines and branches without getting close. On a paper wasp nest, coat the entire outer surface. On a hornet nest, spray directly into the opening first, then soak the outside. On a yellowjacket ground nest, spray into the entrance at ground level and step back right away. Watch the nest over the next day and reapply if you still see activity. When nothing is coming or going, carefully remove the nest and throw it away. Do not spray in wind or rain. Keep the spray off plants and test a small area first, since it can stain some surfaces. Final Hex is flammable, so keep it away from heat and open flame. If a nest is large or high up, or you are allergic to stings, call a professional.

Get rid of a wasp nest, step by step

• Identify it: an open comb means paper wasps, an enclosed ball means hornets and a hole in the ground usually means yellowjackets.
• Time it right: treat before sunrise or after sunset, from upwind and never from beneath.
• Spray by type: coat paper wasp nests, spray into hornet openings before soaking them and spray into ground entrances before stepping back.
• Recheck: reapply Final Hex if activity continues.
• Remove it: once the nest is quiet, take it down and discard it.

Related: How to kill wasps and How to get rid of yellowjackets.

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