How to Kill Potter Wasps

Potter wasps are solitary insects and are seldom aggressive. The wasps get their name from the pot-shaped nests they build. When they sting, they use their stings to paralyze caterpillars, which they feed to their larvae. Gardeners are often delighted to find these wasps in the garden because they reduce the plant-eating parasites. If, however, you need to get rid of a nest because they are invading your home, there are safety precautions that need to be followed.

Protective clothing

Protective gloves

Insecticide

Anti-histamine spray or cream (optional)

Put on protective clothing and try not to expose any bare flesh that could be stung if the wasps turn angry. Keep the colors dark because bright colors will attract the wasps.

Wait until late evening when the wasps are less active. Use small gentle movements so that the wasps are not disturbed. Approach the nest and locate where the entrance is. This is likely to be at the underside of the nest.

Keep as quiet as possible and do not use any torches or lights because this will wake the wasps up and they could attack. If you must use a torch, cover it with a red filter to minimize the risk of waking the wasps.

Spray the insecticide into the wasps nest and retreat to a safe distance. If the nest is above you, be careful of wasps falling from the opening. Be careful not to break the nest because this will allow wasps to escape and attack.

Wait until the wasps have stopped moving and spray the nest again to ensure that all are dead. Retreat to a safe distance and wait until you are certain the wasps are not moving in and out of the nest.

Remove the entire wasps nest, especially if it is in or near the house.

Work at night so that the wasps will in the nest. If any wasps are not killed, they will try to rebuild the nest.

Choose a freeze-type wasp killer because this will work faster than other pest controls.

Make sure children and pets are kept away while you are removing the nest.

Apply ant-histamine if you have been stung.