How to Spray a Wasp Nest

Social wasps live in colonies and include species such as the yellow jacket, hornet and paper wasp. Social wasps travel, create nests and swarm in groups, particularly in the spring and summer months. Wasps gravitate toward water, meaning homes with pools and those near bodies of water or with stagnant water on the property may attract wasp colonies. Insecticide sprays that target wasps and hornets attack their nervous systems, disabling and killing them on contact. Spraying wasps while in their nest at night kills mass amounts of the population in one extermination that may require follow-up.

Wasp insecticide spray

Layers of clothing

Gloves

Bandana

Mask

Helmet/hat

Rubber bands

Purchase a ready-to-use insecticide spray formulated to kill wasps and hornets.

Wear layers of clothing to protect against wasp stings; the exterior layers should be neutral colors or white because wasps are not attracted to light colors. Wear long rubber gloves that extend up your arms and a bandana around your neck. Use a plastic mask and helmet around your head and face to protect against wasps and the inhalation of insecticide fumes. Wear long socks and boots. Tie rubber bands around the bottoms of your sleeves and pant legs to tighten them so that wasps do not fly up them.

Read the instructions for use on the back of the insecticide spray bottle and adhere to them. Shake the insecticide aerosol bottle.

Exterminate the nest in the late evening hours when temperatures decrease because social wasps are less confrontational and have difficulty flying at this time. Stand to the side of the wasp nest and spray your aerosol wasp insecticide into the opening of the nest. Spray around the exterior of the nest also.

Check to see if there is wasp activity near the nest the next day. Spray the entrance of the nest every three days until all wasps are exterminated. This prevents the continuance of swarming wasps and a colony within the nest.