Wasps – are flying insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera, the suborder Apocritus. They start appearing throughout the warm season, especially outside, but in some cases, they can be present indoors. In general, wasps are attracted to shady areas with dense vegetation and water collection areas, but they can also be found near sources of sweet foods, uncovered garbage bins, etc.

Wasp attacks can result in painful stings. In the case of people sensitive to the toxin/substance secreted by wasps, their stings can be a real danger. Therefore, in such cases, it is imperative to consult a doctor.

Wasps are frequently confused with bees. Bees are a protected insect species and insecticides should not be applied against them.

Wasps – Signs of infestation

The presence of wasps can be detected by finding them and their nests in various places, depending on the location: in holes in the walls, inside unused chimneys, in/under the house eaves or in attics, in trees, in drilled holes, or in any place where they can avoid being disturbed.

Wasps – Types of treatments

Depending on the space in which they are found, wasp treatments can be carried out using insecticide sprays, aerosol insecticides, or traps. An important aspect is that, regardless of the treatment performed, the nest must be completely removed. This way, their return to the treated space will be avoided.

Wasp control

Treatments should be applied early in the morning or in the evening. At this time of day the wasps are present in the nest and are not very active, and such, a large part of the population will be easy to eliminate. It is not advised to carry out the treatment during the day, when they are most active, because most wasps will not be in the nest, leading to poor control of their population.

Insecticide treatments

Insecticide treatments will be done by spraying directly onto the nest and on vegetation (if the wasps have migrated from another area than the one being treated). It is recommended to use insecticides with a shock effect, resulting in faster insect death. The solutions can be applied with any type of sprayer. Outdoors, the treatments can be applied with the help of a mist blower, a ULV generator, or a fogging machine. It is recommended to use as much pressure as possible when applying the insecticide. Doing so, the spraying can be done from a safe distance, and approaching the nest is not necessary.

It is important to mention that, at the time of application of insecticides as well as for a period of time after their application, persons without safety equipment and pets should not be present in the treated area.

From the outside, wasps can invade indoor areas, where they can build their nest in closed-off, non-populated spaces. In such cases, insecticide treatments will be applied by spraying directly onto their nests.

Recommended insecticides against wasps:

Biocidal substances are used for treatments against wasp, most of which act on the insect’s nervous system. Concentrated contact insecticides, soluble in water, are preferred against wasp, following the recommended dosages. The solution is applied by spraying, using manual or motorized equipment, depending on the size of the space that is being treated.

Recommended sprayers for the application of insecticides:

Sprayers are low-pressure applicators, which are used for the application of pesticides that require precise dosing. Their capacity varies depending on the type of appliance, its design, the application method (manual / motorized sprayers),  and the size of the treated space. Special care must be paid when adjusting the device, as well as when performing maintenance.

Recommended mist blowers for the application of insecticides:

Mist blowers are special sprayers with thermal engines, powered by gasoline. They have a higher spray rate than regular spraying devices and are used especially for outdoor treatments against wasps, for direct application on vegetation.

Recommended ULV equipment for the application of insecticides:

ULV (Ultra Low Volume) equipment are motorized devices that spray the insecticidal solution in very fine particles, in the form of light fog, and they are used for the application of outdoor treatments against wasps. Cold mist machines are used to apply solutions that use water as a solvent, while thermonebulizers/foggers (hot mist) are used to apply solutions that use petroleum solvents

Before removing the nest, or if the nest is located in a hard-to-reach area (for example, inside a crack in a wall), insecticide dust can also be used.

Insecticide dust

Insecticide dust can be used in less accessible areas, where insecticide sprays cannot be applied. The products are ready to use. They can be used both indoors and outdoors, as indicated on the label. Once applied inside the nest, it will remain active for a long period of time. The targeted pests will make contact with lethal doses while crossing treated surfaces.

Recommended insecticide dust for wasp control:

Insecticide dusts ready-to-use insecticides. They are ideal for spaces where liquid ones cannot be used (cracks, narrow spaces). Because they act on contact or ingestion, it is necessary for insects to come in contact with them when crossing the treated space.

For efficient and safe applications, dust products should be applied with the help of special devices.

Recommended dusters for the application of insecticide dust:

Dusters are devices specially designed for the application of granular or powder (dust) products. They are used to treat hard-to-reach places, for example inside walls (cracks), behind panels, and other narrow spaces.

Also, when doing indoor treatments, if the space is hermetically sealed, aerosol insecticides can be used.

Aerosol insecticides against Wasps

Aerosol insecticides are very strong, and the results can be seen immediately, without the insect needing to make contact with the treated surface. Aerosol-type insecticides are recommended if the space to be treated is hermetically sealed. Depending on the product used, it must be allowed to act for 30 minutes – 1 hour, during which time the treated area will remain closed. After this period, very good ventilation of the room is recommended, for at least 2 hours.

Recommended aerosol insecticides against wasps:

Aerosol-type insecticides act by releasing the active substance in a gaseous form, thus covering the entire space to be treated and ensuring the reach of the active substance particles into hard-to-reach places. They come pre-dosed and ready to use.

Attractant traps for Wasps

Traps only have the role of monitoring and keeping wasp numbers under control. They are recommended if there is no hive present near the house, and the wasps come from the surrounding areas. As such, by placing traps in such areas, wasps will be caught before they can become dangerous.

It is recommended to remove food sources that may attract wasps (ripe fruits, sweet foods) from the area where the traps will be placed.

Recommended attractant traps for wasp control:

This type of trap contains an attractant that has the role of enticing the wasps to approach the trap and get caught inside, controlling their activity in a certain area. It also prevents them from reaching certain areas where they are not wanted. They are mainly used outdoors (yards, gardens, etc.).

In order to limit wasps from getting into indoor areas through air conditioners,  special products that block their access to the premises can be used. They are placed inside drain holes, according to the specifications and depending on the chosen product. This type of product allows water to drain but blocks the access of wasps.

Wasp repellents

They come in the form of a fake wasp nest that acts as a natural deterrent. Because wasps are territorial insects, they will not build their nest close to that of another colony. Thus, the application of 1-2 fake wasp nests helps remove them from a certain area and can prevent infestation.

It is not recommended to place the repellent in an area where the presence of a wasp nest has already been detected. The wasp repellent (fake nest) aims to prevent the appearance of a wasp nest and does not help to remove an already present one.

Recommended repellents against wasps:

They are products used to remove wasps from a certain area. They are specially designed to mimic a wasp’s nest, so insects will be discouraged from entering the target areas, and will help prevent the formation of colonies. Wasp repellents can be used both outdoors and indoors.

Safety equipment

Wasps can become agitated when treatments are carried out, with the risk that they can become dangerous for the person applying the treatment.

Therefore, it is recommended that, when applying treatments, the person performing the task should wear a beekeeper’s suit or be dressed as thick as possible, making sure that all parts of the body are well covered, while also wearing protective gloves.

Recommended safety equipment:

The safety equipment has the role of protecting the person performing the treatments from dangerous substances and/or from pest attacks. This category includes protective gloves, coveralls, masks, etc. The equipment is chosen depending on the type of treatment being performed, as well as the substances that are being used or the pest being controlled.

In order to have effective results against wasps, it is recommended to take control measures from the first signs of an infestation. If a wasp nest is present, it is advised to call on a specialist to remove it.

To prevent infestation, a number of measures can be taken, such as the constant removal of garbage from trash cans, the trimming of vegetation, constant emptying of containers that collect rainwater, the removal of food sources, and the cleaning of surfaces of any traces of food products. It is also recommended to seal holes and cracks that can facilitate the entry of wasps inside.