If you want to get rid of a yellow jacket nest in your eaves, you have several options at your disposal. These options include using soap and water, a wall of air bricks, or peppermint oil. You can even try to use an electric bug zapper.
Using soap and water
Yellowjacket nests are typically located outside. Yellowjackets are wasp-type insects and are active during the day. Look for a nesting hole in the eaves or pitch of a roof and approach it from the outside. Although using soap and water to get rid of yellow jackets from exterior walls can be effective, using them to treat a yellow jacket nest may be hazardous. Moreover, introducing soap to the nest can expose humans and pets to the chemical compounds that may be found in the yellow jacket nest. A safer and non-toxic way is to use commercial traps such as those sold by Rescue. They can be reused and are effective early in the season. Using insecticides is another effective way to kill a yellow jacket nest.
These insecticides are available in ready-to-use formulas that contain carbaryl, acephate, tetramethrin, and diazinon. When using insecticide sprays, be sure to cover a large area so that the treatment will be effective. After spraying the area with an insecticide, yellow jackets will agitate the area and return the following day.
Using an electric bug zapper
If you want to get rid of a yellow jacket nest in your eaves, you may want to use an electric bug zapper. This device emits a hum, which yellow jackets perceive as a threat and will attack. The zapper will give off an electric shock to kill the wasps. It may be necessary to use several applications depending on the size and location of the nest. First, use an aerosol insecticide spray away from the nest. The aerosol spray should be sprayed for about one minute. Once the insecticide has been applied, spray the walls and openings of the nest. Ideally, you should do this in wide circles so that any escaping insects are prevented from taking flight. Alternatively, you can place a bowl or rock over the main entrance of the nest.
This trap is effective because the yellow jackets will attempt to exit the nest through the main exit of the house toward the sun and will strike the glass bowl. This will exhaust them and kill many of them.
Using a wall of air bricks
Use peppermint oil If you notice yellow jackets coming in and out of your eaves, you may have a yellow jacket nest in your home. There are a couple of ways you can get rid of the nest safely. One way is to apply insecticide directly into the nest or around the exterior of the hole. Another option is to vacuum the yellow jackets out of the hole. One disadvantage of this method is that it will not seal the hole. Another way to get rid of the nest is to apply Rentokil Wasp Nest Killer Powder. You can spray the wasp powder on the whole wall or just one air brick. The main advantage of using this method is that it is most effective during the day.
This allows you to apply the powder more quickly. Another option is to plug the entrance hole on the exterior. This option may be more effective, but it will leave your home or business full of bees. Since yellow jackets do not lie down and die, they will continue to find another way to get in. Therefore, a professional yellow jacket exterminator is the best option. The costs of hiring a professional will be significantly lower than the cost of purchasing the materials and equipment yourself.
Using peppermint oil
While peppermint oil is an effective pesticide for wasps, it is expensive. If you are on a budget, consider using a ready-made peppermint oil concentrate. Peppermint oil repels wasps because of its aromatic mint fragrance. To use peppermint oil as a repellent, mix it with four cups of water and spray the nest. Wait until the wasps are not active at night, and make sure to wear long sleeves, gloves, and a hat. Yellow jackets tend to build nests inside exterior walls and eaves. Since nesting entrances are usually high up, you may be able to spot the nests from a distance. In addition to spraying peppermint oil, you can also use a reusable, non-toxic trap from Rescue.
Another effective method is using a glass bowl. This method works well for aerial nests. If the nest is underground, use sand to fill any gaps between the bowl and the ground. Yellow jackets can hide in even the smallest holes. This solution should left on for at least a week to starve the nest.
