How and When to Remove a Wasp Nest

In Florida, wasps are everywhere. They are an insect that will basically set up shop anywhere they can. They try to select under-hangs or shaded areas. They will usually pick areas where there is not a lot of human traffic.

After Hurricane Dorian left town, I was unlatching my hurricane shutters. I have the type of shutters that double as a window a shade/metal awning. They were a very commonly installed item in the 60’s and 70’s and I do have to say they are both easy to manage and effective.

I always look under the awning to make sure there is no wasp nest there before I handle it. I don’t want to get stung or attacked. Today, I did the cursory look-over before I raised the shutter and there seemed to be nothing there. I grabbed the shutter/awning and started to raise it. Before you know it I felt a searing pain on my right earlobe and heard that dreaded buzzing noise. Ouch! I was stung by a wasp on the ear.

Apparently there was a tiny wasp nest in the recess of the shutter that I did not see. It was obscured by a fold of metal. This event today inspired me to write this article about how and when to remove wasp nests.

1. Do this at dawn, dusk or at night with a flash light. This is when all the wasps should be home and resting.
2. Use standard over-the-counter wasp spray. One with a good long stream is preferred because nests can be high up and out of reach.
3. Make sure there is no wind. You do not want the poison spraying back on you.
4. Gloves, goggles and a mask – You may want to wear some rubber kitchen gloves, a mask and goggles. This will protect you from poisonous back-spray.
5. Give the nest a good solid spray of 2-3 seconds. Walk directly back into your home and forget about the nest for the night.
6. Wash your gloves and hands carefully.
7. In the morning all the wasps should be dead. You can remove the nest with your gloves on and go about your business.

It can be a good idea to make sure someone is with you while doing this removal. If you somehow get swarmed and the situation gets out of control the other person will be able to call for help.