Wasps are the last nightmare you want in your home. A paper wasp sting is a caustic experience you don’t want.

The Schmidt pain list suggests that pain from tarantula wasp ranks on level 4 while paper wasp ranks at level 3. If you notice a wasp or a large number of them, they’re enemies that you should get rid of. Begin with their habitat also known as the wasp nest.

In a single season, a typical wasp nest can hold 11,000 to 13,000 wasps and 1000 to 2000 queens.

Read this article to explore more on wasp nest identification.

Signs for Wasps Nest

You don’t just hunt a wasp nest on a hunch. Potential signs can help determine whether or not a wasp nest exists. So, how do you tell?

If you notice a large number of wasps in your home or garden, then it’s positive the nest is nearby. Secondly, buzzing sounds and visible structures around your home are not to ignore.

The sure signs of the wasp’s nest are fresh stripes on a wooden surface. It shows a wasp activity. The lines are as a result of the wasps collecting fiber from wood to build the nests.

Identifying the indicators for wasps’ nests is the initial step toward their elimination.

Let’s Take a Look at Wasp Nest Identification

Wasps are solitary insects. They live together in groups. Wasps live in nests in some form of fiber.

How do they construct the nests? Wasps chew wood and plant fibers and mix them with saliva to build their nests. The material resembles a paper structure.

The nature of the nests gives you an idea of the possible placement areas.

It doesn’t take rocket science to identify the wasp nests. So, how do you locate the wasp nest?

1. Follow the Wasps from a Safe Distance

You can’t miss the stream of scouts and working wasps leaving and entering the nest. Follow the group of wasps from a safe distance.

Note: Getting too close to the nest can cause you trouble. Wasps sting when they feel you’re a threat to their nests or life.

2. Contact Professional Pest Control

If you feel unsafe approaching the nests, contact a professional to assist. A pest control expert can quickly identify the wasp nests and offer advice on how to control or remove them.

If you or one of the people around is allergic to a wasp sting, it’s commendable to contact a professional pest control immediately. Wasp attacks on allergic persons can be fatal.

3. Check Common Nesting Spots

If you can’t find the trace of the wasps, it’s not all lost. The wasps have potential areas to develop the nests.

The vulnerable areas for wasp nesting are:

Cracks in a building
Under roofing
Under patios
Deep bushes
Garages and
Garden Sheds

Note: Some wasps can create nests underground. German and red wasps prefer underground locations for their nests.

It’s not difficult to keep track of the wasps’ activity since they go back and forward. You can’t miss the movement of the wasps.

In some cases, you might find the nests in the corner of the quiet rooms or in the wardrobes. For safety, try and locate the wasp’s nests as soon as possible.

When Should You Get Rid of the Wasps Nest

Timing is everything. The time you choose to exterminate the wasps determines your success. The social wasp’s operations are seasonal. Learning the seasonality of the wasps is essential.

Spring: The queen wasp identifies her post for her nest. The queen will set up a small structure for the first group of wasps. The first group is the worker wasps that aim to expand the nest and offer protection for the queen.
Spring and summer: The nests will continue to expand during the spring and summer seasons. In late August the wasps get to their pick points.

At the end of summer, the last brood of wasps is born. The clutch contains the male wasps and the next year’s queen. At this point, the wasps are highly protective and aggressive.

When is the right time to get rid of them?

Kill the wasps and their nests immediately when you identify them. At such moments, the wasps are less aggressive. Also, get rid of the wasps at night or early in the morning.

At night, the reaction time is low, making them less aggressive. Don’t use a regular flashlight during the activity. Use a red or amber colored light.

Wasps don’t like a cold season. If formation of the nest is towards winter, wasps might migrate to find a friendly climate.

How Do You Know If It’s a Wasps Nest or a Hornet Nest?

Besides the wasps, other insects that attack a home include bees and ants. It’s difficult to tell the difference between the Hornets and the wasps.

So, how can you tell the difference between a hornet and a wasp?

The colony size; Wasps operate with colony sizes of 100. Hornets work with larger colony sizes. Hornets and Wasps’ nests are different

Hornet Nests

Hornets build their nests off the ground commonly high up on the trees.
The inside of the Hornets’ nests is covered with paper-like material made from chewed-up plants and saliva paste.
Hornets’ nests are more prominent in diameter and inches.

Wasps Nests

Wasps nests can either be on the air, on ground or underground
The interior of the nest is not as protected as the Hornets.
The nest material resembles gray papier mache.

Both hornets and wasps nests are not safe to keep. If you realize their existence, it’s best to call a professional to help eliminate them.

How to Get Rid of Wasps and Hornet Nests

Attempts to prevent the formation of wasps and hornet nests are not sufficient. The only solution is to inspect your home and compound regularly. Leave the extraction job to the professionals.

Personal attempts to get rid of the nests may expose you to danger. If you decide to get rid of the nests by spraying pesticide, remember to take the necessary precautions.

Wear Protective Clothes

Protective clothes prevent you from getting stung. How do you dress for the occasion?

Wear long jeans, boots and socks, sweater protective gloves and a hood that pulls over your head.
Wrap your face with a scarf and wear protective glasses.
If you’re using pesticides, use old clothes. It may be necessary to get rid of the clothes if the spray gets into the fabric. If you decide to clean the clothes, do so immediately after spraying.

Don’t Use Ladders for High Wasps Nests

If the wasps’ nests are at a high position, the idea of using a ladder sounds like a solution. Don’t use it; it’ll cause trouble. How?

Imagine standing on the ladder and a group of wasps attack you. You’re likely to fall costing you injuries
Call in pest control experts if the wasp nest is out of reach.

How to Treat Wasp Stings

Wasp nest identification is not as adventurous. It could land you in trouble by getting yourself a sting. Wasp stings cause irritable skin, a red rush, and flaming pain for around 2 hours or more.

Get ready for worst-case scenarios like stinging. Not that you wish for it to happen, but it can happen.

You can treat mild and moderate wasp sting if you’re not allergic.

How do you treat wasps’ sting?

Wash the affected area with soap and water. It helps get rid of the venom.
Place a cold pack on the wound site.
Keep the wound clean and dry to prevent infection
Cover with a bandage if need be.

If the attacks by the wasps are severe, immediate medical attention is essential. 0.8% of children and 3% of adults are allergic to an insect sting. If you’re allergic to wasps and an attack happens, call 911 immediately to avoid complications.

Wrap Up

Wasps are not friends to keep. They can attack you or your loved ones. No one is safe from the wasp’s attack.

Wasp nest identification is crucial to eliminate the liability as soon as possible. The potential locations for the wasps are garages, garden sheds, and deep bushes.

If you suspect wasps’ nest’s presence, get ready with pesticides. Get rid of the wasp and hornet nests early to make their eradication effective.

Have you noticed some wasps flying around your home and have no idea how to get rid of them? Schedule an appointment with us. We’ll have the problem sorted out for you.