How to Get Rid of Wasps, According to a Pest Expert

Wasps have a way of popping up seemingly out of nowhere—especially in springtime when everything in nature starts to come alive. One day, your outdoor space feels totally normal; the next, you’re noticing an entire swarm buzzing around your porch or roof. Unlike some other backyard pests that tend to stay hidden like carpenter ants or carpenter bees, wasps are far more visible once they’ve settled into a space. Unfortunately, they’re also far trickier to get rid of. Noticing a wasp problem early is half the battle, but then what should you do next?

To better understand how homeowners can spot, treat, and prevent wasps, we spoke with Jeff Schumacher, the owner of All-Safe Pest & Termite in Texas. He explains that most wasp problems escalate in predictable ways that homeowners often miss. But once you know what to look for, it becomes much easier to stay ahead of an infestation. Here’s everything you should know about how to get rid of wasps—and prevent them from coming back.

How do you find a wasp nest around your house?

Wasp nests can be surprisingly easy to miss at first, in part because there isn’t much activity in the early stages. The key is knowing where different types of wasps like to build their nests and keeping an eye on those areas of your property.

“Yellow jackets build nests in the ground and other secluded spaces like between rocks, under decks, in attics, or in woodpiles,” Schumacher says. “Paper wasps build their nests hanging from tree branches, under roof eaves, the tops of door frames, in shrubs, or in rafters. Regularly inspect these areas around your property, specifically looking for nests or wasps flying around the area.”

Bottom line: If you notice consistent traffic in one spot, it’s often a sign that there’s a nest nearby—even if you can’t see it right away.

What is the safest way to get rid of wasps at home?

Once a nest is active, experts strongly caution against trying to remove it yourself. Wasps can become defensive quickly, and disturbing a nest without proper treatment can escalate the situation fast.

“Professional treatment is the safest and most effective,” Schumacher says. “Pest control professionals will inspect, treat, and then follow up. We treat and remove any nests we find, then apply a residual product on nest sites to prevent wasps from returning. At follow-up visits, we will treat eaves and other potential nesting areas to keep wasps from coming back to your property at all.”

Because wasps often build in hidden, hard-to-reach areas like rooflines, attics, or ground spaces, professionals also focus on treating surrounding zones, as opposed to just the visible nest itself.

How can I prevent wasps from coming back to my home?

Preventing wasps mostly comes down to making your home and yard less attractive, including removing food sources and sealing all entry points.

“Wasps, like most pests, are attracted to food sources,” Schumacher explains. “They will forage for food in gardens, trash cans, compost bins, clogged gutters, and dense vegetation. They are typically most active toward the end of summer and early fall.”

For long-term prevention, keeping up with basic home maintenance is also key.

“Structural repairs, such as repairing holes in your roofline, and regular yard maintenance are the best long-term prevention methods,” Schumacher says. “Make sure outdoor trash cans and compost bins have tight-fitting lids and keep gutters cleaned out.”

He adds that preventative pest control can also help, especially regular treatment of eaves and other nesting areas. Remember that when dealing with wasps, above all, safety comes first.

“Wasps can be dangerous, so you should always call a professional,” Schumacher says.