Wasps in the attic are probably a homeowner’s worst nightmare. They’re certainly mine!
Although they are more of a nuisance than dangerous, you’d rather have these quickly-multiplying insects off your property.
The sting of these insects is painful, but they only use it to defend themselves.
It’s a different story altogether if you have children at home.
You’d best take action as soon as you see the first signs of their nests. Especially if they’ve already invaded your attic and called it “home”.
In the following, we’re going to get you to this task right away, with all the steps, tools and tips you need!
Why Wasps Love Attics
#1. The peace and quiet
Unwelcome guests—animals and insects in particular—love unused and undisturbed places.
Ever find crickets in your basement or roaches in a dark kitchen late at night?
The boxes of old things in your garret, covered with years of dirt and dust, make the perfect home for insects and rodents.
Many wasps prefer man-made structures that are quiet with no visitors.
With the attic usually serving as a storage space and rarely visited by family members, it becomes a secure breeding ground for these insects.
#2. Perfect for breeding
Your top floor is generally dry throughout the year, so it becomes a safe haven for them to multiply.
What’s more, wasps are excellent breeders, with their population spiraling out of control in a matter of months.
Sheltered from the natural elements of nature and predators outside, the queen wasp can lay her eggs without worry.
And before you know it, new generations are already making themselves at home.
But here’s something interesting.
Wasps are naturally attracted to water… So what are they doing in your house?
#3. Water, an Element of Attraction
Although there’s no water inside your house, the free-standing pools and puddles in your property can draw these insects.
Once they are on your property, it’s easy for them to get indoors through immediate openings and holes.
It’s the same way attic flies enter your home during the cold season.
Ok, are you itching to get rid of these pesky insects?
I can hardly wait to get you started!
How to Kill and Get Rid of Attic Wasps
In my own experience, one of the simplest ways to do this is to use wasp spray.
These sprays contain various wasp-neutralizing chemicals like pyrethroids and pyrethrins.
All it takes is one powerful blast of spray to quickly knock down the invaders.
Let me show you how to use the device.
#1. Identify the Species
They may all look the same to you, but here’s the truth.
There are over 4,000 types of wasps in the United States alone.
Arm yourself with details on the exact species you’re dealing with.
All the better to locate them with!
Solitary wasps form separate nests in single pods solely intended for their eggs.
These are more challenging to remove because they are smaller and harder to locate.
These isolated homes contain paralyzed insects or spiders that serve as food for the developing larvae so they can go on for days undetected.
Social wasps create communities where hundreds to thousands live in a single nest.
But here’s the good news:
These colonies are easier to remove because you can get rid of all of them at a time.
By now, you’ve probably understood what exactly you’re looking for!
#2. Gear Up
As much as your ultimate goal is to get rid of wasps, you also have to ensure your safety.
I can tell you this much from what I’ve learned; their sting can be excruciating, especially if it comes as a surprise, so don’t give them the advantage.
Let’s begin by getting you equipped with the right protective gear!
You can rent a wasp suit or use layers of clothing that you already have at home.
Cover yourself from head to toe with a rubber rain suit, rubber gloves, face protection, and closed shoes.
Suiting up can also help protect you from the harmful chemicals in pesticides.
Now we can begin exterminating these pests!
#3. Prepare the area
Good job identifying the wasp nests in your attic! Now, let’s get right to it.
Step One:
Remove all your belongings nestled in the target areas.
You wouldn’t want to spray on them and cause them damage.
Ideally, get an old sheet to cover them up.
Next, lay newspapers on the floor to catch any drips from the spray.
Step Two:
Close the windows to minimize the airflow.
Too much air circulation can reduce the effectiveness of the wasp spray.
#4. Spray Away
Now, let’s get right to it.
First things first, here’s a product I love for this exact situation. You can grab it here.
I’ve used it twice before on two separate home attics, and it does the trick. Period.
Spray the wasp spray thoroughly and generously on the wasp nests. Let the insecticide soak in for at least 24 hours.
You can check back after one day and see the results.
What if they’re not good enough and there’s still a few scurrying around?
All you gotta do is repeat the procedure.
And finally! Clear out the nests when they’ve all been destroyed.
You can also use a wasp fogger in your attic.
These devices contain pressurized gas and are very powerful.
Foggers are meant for large areas, so ensure you use them only if your loft has enough space.
Pest Control Bombs, otherwise called total-release foggers, are another option.
As soon as you activate the device, the insecticide shoots upward and then spreads to all areas of the room.
Quite the scene out of a movie, huh?
Trigger the device, but before your imagination gets out of hand, leave the room!
The pesticides used in these bombs are quite potent and dangerous to humans.
#5. Cleanup
Every dirty (and deadly) job requires a cleanup, and this is no exception.
With all the wasps dead, you can now get to removing them and disposing of the mess.
I first ensure that all the nests are removed and that all the inhabitants are dead.
This will discourage a new batch from making their way into your home.
Then, of course, comes the sweeping and swapping!
Home Solutions to Eliminate Dangerous Wasps
If you think we’re done with all the wasp-riddance techniques, there’s more!
You can try home remedies to kill these guys.
Yes, there are natural weapons conveniently stashed inside your home that you can use.
Check out this video for starters:
If, like me, you’re averse to using insecticide, search your cupboard or tool kits, and try these natural methods instead:
Vinegar Power
Combine equal parts of white vinegar and water, and using a spray bottle, generously spray this solution on the nests.
Use Essential Oils to Deter Wasps
You can also use essential oils to remove wasps safely without killing them.
Your best bets are peppermint and spearmint oil.
I’ve had luck with these intense scents for keeping critters out of attic, including bigger pests like rats!
The Soapy Water Trick
Use a pressure washer and soapy water, but only if you can fully protect the things in your top space or if you can afford to get some of your belongings wet.
The soapy water will get on their wings, and they won’t be able to fly.
Dish soap and water will usually have them dead in 15 minutes.
Trap and Remove the Wasps
Set up traps made of sugar and water, or use a solar wasp trap.
Use baits like meat and spoiled fruit to attract them to your trap.
The WD-40 Trick
Check out this helpful video to see how you can kill wasps by spraying their nests with WD-40.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can wasps and their nests damage my house?
Although wasps are unwelcome guests, they are non-destructive.
Like the typical attic spider infestation, they rarely cause property damage.
They only access your home and your loft through pre-existing holes.
They don’t force themselves in through the building structure.
But that’s just one side of the story.
When their nests remain for a long time, they can cause moisture to be absorbed, making the surrounding areas susceptible to dampness and molds.
If you quickly get started, cleaning off their residue isn’t too much work.
Are wasp nests loud?
The only time wasps are audible is if your space is already swarming with them.
By this time, your home is probably already a host to several colonies.
A single nest can grow as big as a football!
Even if there are a couple of football-sized communities, all you will hear is a faint humming sound!
When is wasp season?
Wasp abodes are usually abuzz with activity in the months of June and July.
You can expect their numbers to double aggressively during this time.
This is based on their life cycle.
On the other hand, they don’t thrive well in cold temperatures, so their numbers dwindle during late fall and early winter.
Removing Wasps in Attic Spaces is Totally Doable!
Despite not being a direct threat, it’s better to set boundaries on who (or what) is welcome home.
With young children, it’s even more important to get this take care of.
Your kids’ playful antics in the wasp-infested area may bring on a full-blown attack.
I’d definitely not want an accident waiting to happen! Nor do I appreciate multiple trips to the pharmacy and grocery store to get ice packs, baking soda, and such!
Be proactive and take measures at the slightest sign of infestation.
Once you’re done getting rid of these flying insects, try using a wasp-deterrent product to keep them away for good. Check out my personal favorite here.
Getting rid of wasps is no easy affair. Act quickly and save yourself time and money like I did!