Wasps are actually helpful insects because they prey on many plant-eating pests. Usually wasps prefer to avoid humans, but if they nest too close to a dwelling, they can present a problem. Luckily, there are natural, non-chemical ways of removing wasps nests. Read on to learn more.
Ask a friend to help you, because removing a wasp nest safely requires more than one set of hands. One person will remove the nest while the helper quickly contains it. Make sure that you ask a friend that is capable of working calmly and quickly.
Wear protective clothing. A beekeeper’s suit is best, but if you don’t have access to one, wear boots and heavy pants. Roll your pant cuffs outside of your boots and put a rubber band around the top of your boots to keep wasps from flying up your pant leg. Wear a sturdy, long-sleeved shirt and a pair of heavy work gloves with the sleeve cuffs fastened around the cuffs with rubber bands.
Protect your face and head. Wear a protective hat and, if possible, construct a veil of protective fabric.
If you have a pair of heavy coveralls, wear them over the top. This will keep any stingers from reaching your skin.
Remove the nest in the cool of the evening when the wasps will be drowsy.
Ask your helper to hold a large box with a tightly-fitting lid underneath the wasp nest. Cut the stem holding the nest very quickly with a long-handled pruning hook or other long cutting tool. Close the box as quickly as possible and seal it.
Submerge the box in a tub of water or place it in a freezer for several hours. Be sure that all the wasps are dead before you remove the box, because wasps are able to chew through nearly anything.