Summer brings plenty of fun in the sun, but it’s also wasp season. If wasps have taken refuge in your attic, you should remove them as soon as possible for safety and peace of mind. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how they get in and how to get rid of wasps in attics.
The Importance of Getting Rid of Wasps in the Attic
If you have wasp nests in the attic, prompt removal is essential to prevent injury and more wasps from seeking shelter in your home.
Though they don’t cause structural damage, the risk of stings can make you hesitant to go up into your attic, especially if you’re allergic to wasps, bees, yellow jackets, or hornets. To keep yourself and your family safe from wasp stings, remove nests as quickly as possible.
How Do Wasps Get into the Attic or House?
If you have a wasp or hornet nest in the attic, it means your attic is quiet and near a food source, making it an ideal home for wasps. Wasps get into attics through small holes or cracks in your siding or roof.
During the spring, wasps look for warm, dry places to build a nest for their queen wasp who will then lay eggs. A dry attic makes for a perfect breeding ground.
Ways to Prevent a Wasp Infestation
A simple and easy way to avoid a wasp infestation in your home is to check for holes and cracks in your foundation. Even the smallest holes can let small insects such as wasps, bees, and hornets into your attic or crawlspace.
You can schedule regular inspections with a pest control company to check the following areas for wasp nests:
- Your attic or crawl space
- The corners of outdoor structures
- Tree branches that hang over your roof or near your attic
- Under your porch and on the porch ceiling
- Window corners
- Inside your grill
Sweet smells such as fruit or sugary drinks attract wasps. When you’re outdoors, keep these items covered. Check your yard for rotting fruit, and plant any garden away from your home or outdoor structure. Finally, seal any possible entrance points for the pests and look over your screens for rips.
How to Get Rid of Attic Wasps
You’ve determined that you have wasps in the attic. Now the question is, how can you get rid of them? First, you must determine which kind of wasp you are dealing with.
There are over 4,000 species of wasps in the United States alone. Solitary wasps form nests in single pods, which can be harder to remove. Social wasp nests can contain hundreds of wasps at any given time. Although that may sound intimidating, these large nests are easier to remove. Once you know what kind you will be handling, keep these tips in mind when removing wasps.
- Buy a Wasp Spray. Purchase wasp-killing spray or wasp bombs for attics to address smaller infestations and kill wasps.
- Wear thick Clothing, like a wasp suit or long sleeves, pants, and a face mask to protect yourself from stings when removing wasps.
- Prepare your Attic. Remove valuables and breakables from the attic to avoid damage.
- Seal all Windows and Doors before spraying.
- Spray. Using a spray bottle, apply your solution to the problem area and let it soak for at least 24 hours. Check back after a day and if you still hear buzzing or see live wasps, repeat the process.
- Clean up. Before removing the nest, make sure that all the wasps are dead. This will make it less likely for a single wasp or a new group of wasps to come back and rebuild a new nest.
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If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals or bug sprays, you can combine equal parts white vinegar and water and spray it on the nest. Peppermint and spearmint essential oils are alternative home remedies to safely remove wasps without killing them.
For outdoor nests, spray WD-40 or soapy water on the nest and kill any wasps inside. You can place sugar water traps to lure them out (meat and spoiled fruit will also work), then safely remove the nest. If you’re wondering how to get rid of bees in the attic, you can use similar methods.
Whether you’re allergic or not, trying to remove a severe infestation on your own isn’t a good idea. In this instance, call in trained professionals who have the equipment and experience to safely remove the wasp or hornet’s nest in the attic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Wasps in Attic
Below are three of the most frequently asked questions regarding wasps in attics.
Can Wasps and their Nests Damage my house?
The short answer is no. Wasps and their nests are non-destructive and do little to no harm to your home. Wasps enter through preexisting holes, meaning they don’t force themselves in or tear anything up in the process. However, when you leave nests for a long time without dealing with them, they can attract moisture, which can cause wood rot and mold.
Are Wasp Nests Loud?
You’ll only hear wasps when they are already swarming in the area. By then, your house is probably already home to a wasp infestation. This occurs when nests grow to reach the size of a football. If you can hear wasps, call a pest control team to safely remove all nests, even the ones you might not find yourself.
When is Wasp Season?
The busiest season for wasps falls between the June and July summer months. During this time, wasps reproduce and swarm, looking for places to build nests.
Conclusion
If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to remove wasps from your attic with time and a little effort, but remember to use caution and wear protective clothing to reduce the risk of wasp stings. If you need attic help from a team of licensed professionals, our team at Attic Projects has you covered. Our attic and crawl spaces experts know everything there is to know about how to get rid of hornets in attics. We’ll clean your attic, remove the pests, and even install new insulation. Call us at 858-923-4083 in San Diego or 714-735-4301 in Orange County for your free attic inspection to remove wasps in the attic.
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