Independent guides — we are not an exterminator. If someone has trouble breathing after a sting, call 911. Safety basics

Bees & Wasps · Pest guide

Wasps & Yellow Jackets control

Paper wasps, yellow jackets and hornets: nest removal, traps and sting safety.

Start here: How to Safely Remove a Wasp Nest (2026 Guide) When to call a pro

Wasps & Yellow Jackets at a glance

Scientific name
Family Vespidae
Size
1/2 to 1 inch (13–25 mm)
Appearance
Smooth, narrow waist; yellow-and-black or brown with yellow bands
Where found
Eaves, sheds, playsets, wall voids, ground holes (yellow jackets)
  • Health riskHigh
  • Property damageLow
  • Do it yourself?DIY or pro
When wasps & yellow jackets are active Peak: Jun–Sep
  1. Jan Rare
  2. Feb Rare
  3. Mar Rare
  4. Apr Low
  5. May Active
  6. Jun Peak
  7. Jul Peak
  8. Aug Peak
  9. Sep Peak (this month)
  10. Oct Active
  11. Nov Rare
  12. Dec Rare

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Paper nests under eaves or railings
  • Steady traffic in and out of a hole in the ground or wall
  • Wasps around trash cans and outdoor meals in late summer

Call a professional when

  • Nest inside a wall, attic or ground near a path
  • Nest larger than a softball or high up
  • Anyone nearby is allergic to stings
How to choose a pest control company

Safety first

Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness after a sting.

Wasps & Yellow Jackets: removal guides

1 guide

Step-by-step plans to get rid of a pest, from DIY methods to professional treatment.

European paper wasp nest under an eave

Wasps & Yellow Jackets · Removal

How to Safely Remove a Wasp Nest (2026 Guide)

· 6 min read

Keep wasps & yellow jackets out

  1. Knock down small starter nests early in spring
  2. Keep lids on trash and recycling
  3. Seal gaps in siding and vents

Often confused or found together

All bees & wasps
Bees Carpenter bees drilling fascia boards and honey bee swarms: protect the bees and the house. Spiders Mostly harmless and useful, but brown recluses and black widows need care. Flies Fruit flies, drain flies and house flies: find the breeding source first.
Photo credits

Thank you to Alvesgaspar, Tdolphin~plwiki, Ryan Hodnett and Irina Petrova for sharing these beautiful photographs and helping bring this guide to life.

Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC BY 4.0