Finding a large wasp nest forming on the outside of a home is a concerning sight. The good news is that there are ways to remove wasp nests safely. However, a better approach is to prevent these nests from forming in the first place.
As you’ll soon learn, there are several tactics you can use to ensure that wasps don’t make a home on the outside of yours. The team at Western Termite Solutions knows a thing or about preventing them. And we are here to share our methods and a few other helpful insights about wasp nests.
Best Ways to Prevent Wasp Nests on Your Home
A full nest of wasps is something that no one wants to deal with. While there is no way to guarantee that wasps won’t attempt to nest in your home, there are plenty of ways to make it less likely. The sections below will present five viable methods for deterring wasps from building their homes near yours.
Keep Food Sources Covered
As is true of any common creature, wasps need food, water, and some form of shelter to survive. As such, wasps first need to find a viable food source before they decide to build a home in a certain location.
Adult wasps feed exclusively on sugars that come from several sources, including flowers, food, scraps, and more. One of the best preventative measures you can take against wasps is to cover your garbage and remove any potential food sources near the exterior of your home.
Covering garbage and removing food lessens the odds that wasps can find the sustenance they need. In the absence of a reliable food source, wasps are less likely to begin building a nest.
Maintain Your Landscaping
Another helpful tip when attempting to prevent wasps on your property is to keep your landscape neat and well-maintained. Wasps tend to thrive in overgrown areas that include unkempt shrubs, lawns, and other plant life.
Your best approach is to keep your shrubs trimmed and to mow your lawn regularly. Neatening your yard simultaneously makes it more attractive to you and less attractive to wasps searching for a place to nest.
Seal Gaps and Cracks
Many homes feature small gaps and cracks in their exterior surfaces. At times, these openings can be so small that you don’t notice them at all. Unfortunately, these spaces tend to be the locations in which wasps will begin building their nests.
Openings on the outside of your house give wasps a chance to get inside and escape any cold or harsh elements outdoors. Once wasps find one of these openings, they may begin to attach their nest to it.
To prevent this occurrence, you should inspect the outside of your home to detect any cracks or gaps. If you find any openings, be sure to seal them using caulk or another sealing material.
Apply a Repellent
One of the most effective ways to essentially guarantee that wasps won’t nest on the outside of your home is to spray your house with a preventative wasp repellent. Wasp repellents are available in many stores and are especially beneficial to those who have already dealt with a previous wasp issue.
As an alternative to store-bought repellents, you can also create and use a natural home remedy. By mixing essential oils with water, you can make a DIY wasp spray. These DIY sprays are effective and don’t include the harmful chemicals that you’ll find in a store-bought repellent.
After creating your at-home wasp repellent, pour it into a spray bottle. Next, spray the areas of your home that are most likely to become the site of a wasp nest, and you’ll stand a much better chance of preventing one from forming.
Inspect Often
Our final tip for preventing wasps is to remain as vigilant as possible. Inspecting your home for signs of wasps is the best way to notice their activity early and find a viable solution that will work best for you.
However, in order for this tactic to be effective, you need to know some of the signs of wasp nesting. The next section will reveal some of the clearest indications that wasps have arrived at your home.
Signs of Wasp Nesting
One of the most important factors in deterring wasps is recognizing the signs that they have arrived. By knowing the following indicators in advance, you’ll be better prepared to keep your home wasp-free:
- Nesting structures: The surest sign of wasp nesting is the presence of nest structures. Most wasp nests typically have a papery texture and a light gray color. As the nest develops, it will take on a rounded form with an opening at the bottom. Wasp nests can begin very small but grow to be larger than a basketball.
- Live wasp swarms: If you suddenly notice live wasps swarming in or around your house, that’s another clear sign that you have a wasp problem. Once a swarm is present, you can rest assured that they will begin nesting if they have not already.
- Buzzing sounds: Sometimes, you may notice buzzing noises, even while you are inside your home. If this occurs, it can mean that wasps have entered your home and are working on a nest for themselves. Pay attention to suspicious noises like this and contact pest control as soon as you hear them.
- Gnawed wood: Some wasps chew wood to help build their nests. If you see gnawed wood on your home, there is a chance that wasps were the cause. With that said, chewed wood can also be a sign of other non-wasp pests.
Take time to study those signs, and you will be better prepared to recognize a wasp infestation. By doing your part to remain vigilant, you can reduce the negative impact that wasps have on your home.
Call Western Termite Solutions if Help You Need for Wasp Nests
When dealing with wasps, it is always best to seek the advice of an experienced professional, like our experts at Western Termite Solutions. Whether you currently have wasps or you simply want to prevent them, it helps to know a trusted pest control team in your area.
For anyone in or around Oroville, California, Western Termite Solutions is the best pest control team you can choose for wasps or other pests on your property. We serve both residential and commercial customers, and we would be happy to help you with any pest-related concerns. Reach out to us today, and we’ll offer a free estimate as well!