What To Do If You Spot A Wasp Nest On Your Charlotte Property

Sometimes you’re just minding your own business when you spot a wasp nest. If you’re lucky, you’ll see it before you get too close and they feel threatened. Wasps, like other stinging insects, are notorious for attacking unsuspecting homeowners on their own property. Some wasps even fly out of the ground, and you won’t see a nest at all! Aruza Pest Control provides quality pest control in Charlotte and we're here to offer you advice about what to look for, what to do, and how to get rid of wasps on your property.

How To Find A Hidden Wasp Nest

There are 27 different types of wasps in North Carolina, but there are three common species that tend to cause the most trouble for homeowners:

• European paper wasp
• German yellow jacket
• Northern paper wasp

The paper wasp gets its name from the type of nest it builds, which looks like grey papier mache. Some wasps build their nests high up in a tree, while others will build them in more secure places surrounded by structures. Check around your property for active nests by thinking like a wasp. They like their nest to be protected from the elements, and they need access to food and water.

The first place you should look for a wasp nest is under your gutter system. Gutters offer protection, water, and attract other pests that can easily become meals to wasps. If your gutters are clear, look in the corners of your porch, gazebo, shed, and any other covered structure you may have. In trees, wasps can build their nest high on a branch, but some species will prefer the cracks and crevasses. Old stumps are a favorite.

Wasps only use their nests once per season and when they are done, they abandon them. Its grey and sometimes lilac swirled appearance makes paper wasp nests one of the easiest nests to identify.

Yellow jackets can build their nests up high as well but in Charlotte, you’ll find these aggressive creatures at the base of a tree, or tunneled underground more often than not. The warm weather of North Carolina caters to these pests and produces large and strong yellow jacket colonies. Due to the aggressive nature of yellow jackets, if you find a nest, it is best to avoid it and call for professional help. If you’ve had a recent gopher problem, be on the lookout for yellow jackets. They like to take over their tunnels.

What To Do Once You've Found The Wasp Nest

Removing wasp nests can be very dangerous, so it's a job best left to the professionals. Wasp, yellow jacket, or paper wasp nest removal can result in multiple stings if the nest isn't fully abandoned. Yellow jackets tend to be more aggressive than paper wasps in Charlotte, but it can be difficult to determine what kind of nest you're dealing with. For your own safety, we don't recommend homeowners try DIY methods of nest removal.

Natural Wasp Deterrents For Charlotte Residents

Removing an active nest can be tricky and the best way to get rid of a wasp nest is to call for professional assistance. Wasp prevention in Charlotte is much safer than taking your chances and dealing with the problem when it happens. Wasp prevention doesn’t have to be difficult, and it can even be creative! Below are some natural wasp deterrents for your yard:
Plant wasp-deterring flowers and herbs around your home. Wasps are repelled by marigolds, geraniums, thyme, spearmint, garlic, and lemongrass. 
Remove yellow from your yard. Wasps and other insects are attracted to the color yellow.
Use a decoy. Wasps will not build their nests within 100 feet of another wasp nest. You can make the decoy yourself or you can purchase one online.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Wasps In Charlotte

Due to the high probability of running into a yellow jacket nest, you must be cautious when approaching any kind of wasp nest. DIY methods can prove to be dangerous, so the best wasp nest removal in Charlotte is handled by Aruza Pest Control. We have over two decades of combined experience in the pest control industry and we can help locate and safely eliminate any wasp nests near you.