Preventing Wasp and Hornet Nests: Tips for Homeowners

When wasps and hornets are looking for a place to build their nests, their process is pretty similar to humans searching for the perfect home. It’s all about location, location, location! If you have spotted nests on your property, or just noticed an increased number of wasps or hornets buzzing around, you might be curious why they are choosing your home and what you can do about it. Keep reading to learn why wasps and hornets might be building nests near you and tips for making your property less desirable.

Wasp and Hornet Nests

Before we dig into what makes for an ideal location for a nest, let’s make sure you know what you’re looking at when it comes to different types of nests. Since the most common wasps’ nests are made from chewed wood and paper, it often looks like a papery balloon. There’s one exception: mud daubers’ nests look a little different since they use clay or mud to build their nests. Also, be on the lookout for ground nests. Some hornets build nests in the ground that are about an inch and a half in diameter. (Check out this post if you’re curious about the difference between wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets.)

Examples of Wasp and Hornets’ Nests

                            Hornet Nest                                                Mud Dauber's Nest

                        Paper Wasp Nest                                                Ground Nest

What Wasps and Hornets Are Looking for in a New Residence

If a realtor was writing an ad for an ideal place for a wasp or hornet to build their next home, it would read something like this:

Calling all wasp and hornet families! We’ve got the perfect place for you, new on the market. It’s shady but warm, at least partially covered, and difficult for predators to access. There are plenty of sweet smells around, with ample flowers and fruit trees in the area. Bonus: Your neighbors often have some trash uncovered near the area, so you can bask in the sweet smell of garbage. And wait until they invite you over for a barbecue on the patio with some sweet drinks. You’ll be fast friends! Act fast, this property won’t be on the market for long!

How to Prevent Wasps and Hornets From Building Nests on Your Property

All joking aside, knowing what attracts wasps and hornets gives you some clues on what to do to make your property undesirable. Here are some tips:

1. Keep it clean: Since wasps and hornets are attracted to food sources, it's essential to keep your property clean. This means cleaning up spills (especially sweet drinks!), keeping garbage cans closed, and not leaving pet food out for extended periods.
2. Seal entry points: Sometimes, you can’t even see the nests. Wasps and hornets can find entry to your home and build their nests in your attic or in wall voids. Be sure to seal up entry points, such as cracks around windows and doors.
3. Cut back vegetation: Overgrown vegetation can provide ideal nesting spots for wasps and hornets. Trim bushes, trees, and other vegetation to keep them away from your home, especially if the vegetation emits sweet smells, such as flowering plants or fruit trees.
4. Hire a professional: Wasps and hornets aren’t pests to mess around with. If you have a wasp or hornet problem, hire a professional pest control service like Ford’s Hometown Services. We have the expertise and equipment needed to safely and effectively eliminate nests and provide guidance to prevent future infestations.