When to Call a Hornet and Wasp Exterminator

Serving Albuquerque and Taos

Bees, wasps, and hornets play significant roles in pollinating the fruits, grains, and vegetables we consume. When they’re out in nature or in our backyards buzzing around, they aren’t posing any serious threats.

However, if a nest starts to form anywhere humans may frequent, action needs to be taken before a potentially dangerous situation occurs! Few pest infestations are more frightening than a wasp or hornet invasion, which can get out of hand quickly—this is why it’s important to know when it’s time to call your local hornet and wasp exterminator.

If you feel like wasps are a threat to your property, don’t wait to act—call New Mexico Pest Control today!

Identifying Hornet and Wasp Infestations

Knowing what you’re dealing with when you spot a nest is essential to determining the severity of the situation. Many people clump honey bees and wasps into the same category and although they have similar attributes, a wasp nest poses a much bigger threat than a gathering of bees. There are many species of wasps and some, like yellow jackets or hornets, are known to swarm and attack when threatened. Wasp nests start very small but can grow rapidly in size especially during the summer months. Watching the flight of a wasp may be helpful in locating any suspected nest, and different species of wasps build nests that look different from one another:

1. Paper Wasp Nests: Paper wasps construct open, exposed nests that most often resemble an upside-down umbrella.
2. Yellow Jacket Nests: Yellow Jackets build nests that are covered in a papery substance and are often found within wall voids or cavities in the ground.
3. Bald-faced Hornets: This species also builds papery-covered nests that can be located in natural cavities like tree stumps in in cavities within buildings.

Removing Hornet & Wasps Yourself

Treating wasps and hornets individually is not a long-term solution, and treating nests can be dangerous! Although we recommend calling us if the situation is serious, the following list describes some of New Mexico Pest Control’s best tips for using DIY methods:

• If you are allergic to stinging insects of any kind, do not attempt to knock a nest down yourself!
• If the nest isn’t too large (palm-sized or smaller), consider knocking it down yourself. If the nest is bigger than a fist, please do not attempt to knock it down and call a professional instead.
• Knocking a nest down needs to be done very carefully. When their nest is threatened, wasps will do almost anything to defend and protect it.
• We don’t recommend using over-the-counter sprays because they can be hazardous for humans as well as any animals that may feed on the dead insects.
• Never spray inside of a building.
• If you’re going to spray before you knock a nest down, always spray at night or early in the morning when wasps and bees are less active.
• Always wear protective gear, such as long sleeves and pants. This can help you to avoid a sting.
• Make sure to properly dispose of the nest, as well as any dead wasps you see.
• And remember: Wasps are wild and they’re highly unpredictable. Don’t take any risks even if it looks like most of them are dead!

Safe and Responsible Hornet Nest Removal

If you’ve determined that the nest you discovered is too big for removing safely yourself, you need to call a professional. Even if the nest is small, it’s always the safe choice to have an expert remove the nest professionally to avoid potential danger. A licensed pest control company like New Mexico Pest Control can ensure that the infestation is safely destroyed, as well as take preventative measures to prevent more bees from re-entering or re-colonizing the space. If you’re concerned about bees or other stinging insects around your house, give us a call! New Mexico Pest Control will work with you to make sure your needs are taken care of, any problems are addressed, and any nests are removed safely. Call us today for a free quote!