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Signs of wasp nests

If you are experiencing high numbers of wasps in your home or garden there is likely to be a nest nearby, either on your property, in your garden or very close by.

A mature nest in summer can contain thousands of wasps.

It is best to treat a nest earlier in the year before numbers increase and the wasps become more aggressive. This will help to reduce the threat of a wasp sting, which can be very painful and even cause an allergic reaction.

Identifying a wasp or hornet nest

  • Paper wasps - Paper wasps build open and exposed nests that resemble an upside down umbrella. These nests can get quite large late in the season, and adult wasps will readily sting if they sense danger approaching. Some wasps build new nests on top of old nests, giving the false impression that they are reusing a nest.

  • Yellow Jackets - build nests that are surrounded by a papery covering, and are commonly found within wall voids or cavities in the ground. When disturbed, yellow jackets are quite aggressive, and can attack in large numbers. Yellow jackets are typically most aggressive in late summer and this leads to an increase in yellow jacket stings.

  • Bald faced hornets - build nests that are covered in a papery shell and European hornets build their nests in natural cavities like tree stumps, or in cavities within buildings.

  • Mud Daubers - construct nests using mud or clay. The nests are small, tubular mud shutes usually built either in existing cracks or crevices in masonry, stone or timber around homes, sheds and garages.

Wasp Nest

How big can a wasp nest be?

At first, a wasp nest will start off very small.

  • When a Queen wasp starts to build a nest in spring it is usually about the size of a walnut or golf ball.
  • As summer progresses the nest will grow rapidly in size, as the number of wasps increase. A nest can become the size of a basketball, or even bigger in some cases.

It is best to treat a nest earlier in the year before numbers increase and the wasps become more aggressive.

Find out how Rentokil can help address wasp problems on your property.

Wasp nest removal

To locate the nest, watch the flight path of returning wasps. If the nest is near the home, keep nearby windows closed. Common sites for a wasp or hornet nest include under the roof eaves, behind shutters or in garden sheds. If you suspect the nest is in the attic, take great care in opening and entering the attic space. Disturbing the nest could trigger wasps to attack with great force.

Wasp swarms are dangerous and it is extremely risky to take matters into your own hands due to the aggressive nature of wasps in specific seasons. Removing a wasp’s nest is a complex and delicate process. When in doubt, always seek professional help. Rentokil Pest Control offers a call-out service to remove wasp nests or any other pest problem in the home. The service is fast, effective and affordable.

Call Rentokil Pest Control Canada at 877-690-2115 for further advice or to arrange a visit from a Technician.

Worried about a wasp or hornet nest?

You should not attempt to treat a nest if you are sensitive to stings. If you disturb a nest, you may provoke the wasps inside to attack and sting you as a form of defense.

At Rentokil, we offer a professional wasp nest treatment service to protect you from harmful stings by eliminating the nest.

  • Qualified professionals - All our wasp control Technicians are fully trained and equipped with all necessary safety gear to complete the treatment quickly and safely.

  • Safe treatments - Our expert Technicians follow strict guidelines to ensure you and your family is safe from harm during treatment.

  • Nest removal - We can also arrange for the removal of a nest (at a later date; at least 48 hours after treatment to allow for scout wasps to return and be killed) to reduce the risk of a secondary infestation.


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