How to Get Rid of Wasps
Encounter a wasp or wasp nest at your house? Don’t approach it immediately, as they can be pretty dangerous with their multiple stinging inclinations.
You have to know the right way and supplies to handle the job quickly and safely. In this guide, we will teach you how to get rid of aggressive wasps whether in your yard or inside your house.
Keep reading to learn more!
Common Wasps in Malaysia
First, it’s essential to know the kind of wasps you are dealing with to kill or remove them successfully
Wasps are fairly common in Malaysia. The most common families are the Asian Hornets and Mud Daubers.
Let’s now look at their appearance, size, nest properties, and other identifiers.
Asian Hornets
The Asian Hornet (Vespa velutina) is a darker coloured wasp compared to other species. It measures 3cm across and does not attack unless provoked.
When it does, it becomes very dangerous being capable of causing excruciating pain on the skin. Actually, its trademark long stinger can puncture through a beekeeper’s suit.
Asian hornets build their nest on high roofs and trees. Their nest looks like the bark of a tree or a large cocoon.
Mud Daubers
Mud Daubers (Sceliphron caementarium) are slightly smaller than Asian Hornets. They range between 1 to 2cm long.
They sport a bright black and yellow thorax and abdomen. They are much less aggressive than Asian Hornets but can sting if you provoke them.
Rather than build nests in high places, they create one from mud on the ground. If you’re on a trail or garden, it can be hard to spot one because their nests blend in with ordinary soil or mud.
How To Get Rid of Wasps in Your Yard
Here are some tips you can solve the wasp problem in your yard:
1) Set up wasp traps
A wasp trap has a special liquid (of beer or soft drink mixed with soap) inside that attracts and drowns wasps.
You can cut a plastic bottle into two parts, with the lower part having more space, pour the solution, and set the upper half facing towards the liquid, which prevents the hornets from escaping. Also, the soap will reduce the surface tension of the liquid causing them to drown.
This is a safe and effective trap, although the dead wasps will remain in the trap. You can hang this trap near where you spot the wasp such as on a branch of a tree or outside your window.
Once you find that there are no more of these pests by your house, and the contents are full, you can already remove and dispose of the trap.
2) Use soap and water
If you’re looking for a natural wasp solution, you simply need soap and water. Fill a spray bottle with water and add two tablespoons of dish soap, shake it, and spray away.
The compound kills wasps by clogging their breathing pores. You can spray this at wasp nests as well while wearing protective gear which should take care of them.
3) Hire a professional
If the situation appears dire with many wasp colonies, your best bet is to hire a professional instead. This is a dangerous job and needs careful planning and action to wipe them out and prevent them from returning to your yard again.
How to Get Rid of Wasps in Your House
Now, here are the things you can do if a wasp has entered your house:
1) Seal every entry point
Imagine one or two wasps having entered your property.
As soon as you notice this, think of how they were able to trespass into your home. It could be through your screenless doors or windows, garage holes, worn-out mortar, to name a few.
For this, you can pick up screens at a hardware store and seal off joints and windows with silicone caulk. This sealant is mould and mildew resistant and resists cracks and peels as well, which should prevent the intruding pests from coming back.
2) Create a home-made solution
If the last section does not work for you, you can also use water and soap, like we mentioned earlier to kill them, or one made of apple cider vinegar to repel them.
This repellent solution can be made by combining 2 cups of apple cider vinegar, 2 cups of sugar, and 1 cup of water.
Also, you may want to use your diffuser or light a scented candle with mint or essential oil fragrances, because wasps hate their strong smells.
3) Use an insecticide
You can instantly eliminate wasps by hitting them with a wasp spray. However, its ingredients can be toxic to your family, especially children and pets.
If the insect has been going to and fro in a room that isn’t used much, then using an insecticide may be a viable option. Otherwise, we just recommend sticking to a homemade remedy.