How to Get Rid of Wasps Naturally

Co-authored by Scott McCombe

Last Updated: March 4, 2023 References

Wasps, such as yellow jackets or hornets, are pesky to have in your yard or house. Their stings are painful, the nests are unsightly, and they multiply very quickly. However, the pesticides in many wasp sprays are strong enough to kill your pets if they eat the dead bees.^{[1]
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Research source} Luckily, though, there are many ways to get rid of wasps naturally. When you deal with wasps yourself, wear lots of protective clothing. Make sure your skin, including your face and hands, is completely covered.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Drowning an Aerial Wasp Nest

1
Set up a big bucket of water. Put it close to the wasp nest on the ground. Obtain a cloth bag with a tie at the end and a large rock.
- This cloth bag should be able to be tied tightly closed and should be big enough to hold the wasp nest. If you do not have a suitable cloth bag, you should pick another method to get rid of the wasps.
2
Use a ladder to get into a position where you can reach the wasp nest with your (gloved) hands. Stand close to the wasp nest, holding the cloth bag. Be careful not to move suddenly.

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3
Put the cloth bag over the wasp nest, tying it off immediately. Pull the wasp nest down onto the ground. It should be tied tightly and sealed so that the wasps inside the nest cannot get out.
4
Place it immediately in the bucket of water. Put a rock over the cloth bag to keep it submerged. Eventually the wasps will drown.^{[2]
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- You can also put at least of a quarter of a cup of dishwashing detergent or soap into the bucket of water to further immobilize the wasps.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Drowning Any Above-Ground Nest With Soapy Water

1
Obtain a garden hose and a hose end sprayer. Attach the hose end sprayer to the hose. Ensure that the hose reaches to the location of the wasp nest.
2
Put at least a quarter of a cup of dishwashing detergent or soap into the hose end sprayer. You can use any generic soap, such as Dove, Softsoap, or Dawn. Feel free to put in as much soap as you would like into the hose end sprayer.
3
Wait until dusk or dark. The wasps will have all come home to their nest at night. Therefore you will be able to kill more of them with the soap solution.
4
Stand in the vicinity of the wasp’s nest. Hold the hose and point it toward the nest. Make sure that you are close enough to spray them powerfully but not so close that you’re likely to be stung.
5
Spray the nest directly with the soapy water from the hose. Use all of the solution that you have in the garden hose sprayer.^{[3]
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Research source} The soap will paralyze the wasps, and the water will drown them.
6
Dispose of the nest. Wait until the next morning to ensure that all of the wasps have died. Use gloves if you need to handle the nest to put it into a garbage bag.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Blocking Off an Underground Nest

1
Identify all entrances and exits to an underground nest. Observe the wasps over a period of time to see if where they go into the ground. If the nest has too many entrances and exits, you may need to call an exterminator to remove it.
2
Pour soapy water into the entrance of the nest. Use any generic hand soap or dishwashing soap mixed with water. This process will kill bees currently inside the nest.
3
Put a large glass bowl over the entrance to the nest immediately afterward. Push the bowl a couple inches into the ground. Make sure that it is completely sealed.
4
Wait a few weeks. Remove the bowl carefully. The wasps should have either died from the soapy water or moved to another location because of lack of food.^{[4]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Avoiding Attracting More Wasps to Your Home

1
Purchase or make a fake wasp nest. You can find fake wasp nests for sale on the internet. You can also make one yourself by using a crumpled paper bag and some twine.
- To make the fake wasp nest, crumple up the paper bag and wrap twine around it so that it holds a vaguely circular shape.
- You could also use two paper bags for a bigger nest.
- Hang up the fake nest with twine. Put it in the near vicinity of the wasp nest. Hang it up during the night, when the wasps are less active.
- Wait for the wasps to notice the fake trap and leave. Wasps are territorial. They will not want their nest to exist near another “wasp nest,” even if that nest is fake.^{[5]
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- If this fake nest is not enough to make the wasps leave, it will deter future wasps from settling in your home.
2
Purchase a glass wasp trap.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Fill it with water and a sweet lure, like lemonade. Wasps like sweet-smelling foods and foods that are high in protein.
- Hang it in a location where you typically see a lot of wasps. The wasps will fly into it for the bait. They will then drown in the water.
- Empty and refill the glass trap frequently. This will ensure there is always bait for the wasps.^{[7]
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  Research source} If you refill it very frequently, you might consider getting another glass trap.
3
Avoid keeping certain foods inside your house. If you eat outside, avoid eating these foods in the presence of the wasps. They are attracted to the following foods especially:
- Sweet foods
- Foods high in protein
- Pet food^{[8]
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4
Keep all trash cans closed and sealed.^{[9]
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Research source} Make sure that there is nothing for the wasps to eat outside of your house. Put garbage cans and compost as far away from the house as possible.
5
Put wasp-deterring plants in your yard. While flowers attract wasps, some plants keep them away. Try mint, eucalyptus, citronella, and/or wormwood.^{[10]
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6
Move potted flowers away from the house. The wasps are attracted to the flowers for the pollination. Put potted plants inside the house or move them far away from the house entirely.^{[11]
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- Keep flowery scents out of your house. Do not wear flowery perfume or use flowery air fresheners. These smells attract the wasps.^{[12]
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7
Do not swat or kill any wasps. A dead wasp produces pheromones that will bring more wasps and ants to the site of the dead wasp.^{[13]
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Research source} An aggravated wasp is more likely to sting, too.
8
Seal your house. Make sure all door, windows, and vents are tightly sealed.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Wasps often enter houses through insufficiently sealed areas.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I keep wasps from coming back into my home?

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor.

Scott McCombe

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Check your exterior walls for any gaps or cracks and seal them. Then patch any holes in window or door screens so the wasps can't get inside.

Warnings

Confirm that you are not allergic to wasp stings before you tackle getting rid of the nest by yourself.

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If the nest is really large or the wasps are unusually aggressive, do not try to get rid of the nest yourself. Call an exterminator.

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Always wear protective gear when dealing with wasps.^{[16]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.}

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Make sure, before you dispose of a nest, that the wasps are actually wasps and not honeybees. Honeybees are declining rapidly. Call a beekeeper to take the nest from your home.^{[17]
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