What To Do When You Spot a Wasp Nest on Your Property
The sight of birds and bees flitting around your backyard is likely to be a welcome one. Spiders and reptiles are probably less welcome, though tolerated, and can even be admired from a safe distance. Wasps are a different story. A wasp nest on your property is something that needs to be decisively removed, as soon as possible. Though all creatures form an integral part of the ecosystem, wasps can be a part of the ecosystem somewhere else. But how easy is it to remove a wasp nest?
Do Not Provoke Them
Do not simply approach the wasp nest with an aerosol can of bug spray, planning to gas them in their home. While you might kill a number of them, those that survive can still retaliate, and it's not a given that you will kill the larvae and unhatched eggs residing in the depths of the nest. Never forget that wasps attack when they feel threatened, have the capacity to release a pheromone that alerts other wasps to the danger (literally calling for reinforcements), and can sting multiple times (which differs from a bee). Spraying the nest can trigger such an attack, which is why it's unwise. If you should aggravate the wasps, simply move away, calmly and quickly. But still, it's not as though the nest can be left where it is, can it?
The Entire Nest Must Be Removed
A wasp nest must be removed in its entirety, and then placed inside a sealable container of some sort. This can be a bucket with a lid or an strong rubbish bag. Inside, the wasps will slowly suffocate and/or starve, which isn't exactly a pleasant fate, although the wellbeing of the wasps probably isn't going to be a priority for you. This still poses some risks. A plastic bag can break, particularly after disposal, potentially unleashing the surviving (and very angry) wasps. Such a removal method should only be attempted with the necessary protective clothing (which should cover your body from head to toe), and it's unlikely that you will have access to this type of attire.
Err on the Side of Caution
A professional house and pest inspection services company will be able to safely and exhaustively remove the nest, without the potential for complications which can easily arise if you attempt removal by yourself. The wasps will be disposed of humanely, which is better than the nest simply suffocating inside a plastic bag. It might seem like overkill to call in professional assistance for a wasp nest, but remember that more than half of deaths in Australia from venomous bites and stings are due to bees and wasps. Even if you don't have an allergy to their sting, the aggressive nature of wasps and their ability to inflict multiple stings can make them dangerous.
Just because wasps are common, it doesn't mean you shouldn't be respectful of the danger, which is why sometimes professional assistance is the best bet.
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