Finding wasp nests is never a welcome surprise, but getting rid of them in your roof can be a tough feat to take on. Thankfully, there are a couple of different methods you can use to kill the wasp colony and knock down the nests to get rid of them once and for all. Keep reading to learn how you can dispose of the wasp nests in your roof and keep your home safe from stinging insects.

This article is based on an interview with our pest control specialist, Scott McCombe, the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions. Check out the full interview here.

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Take care of the nests in the spring or early summer if you can.

  1. That’s when the nests will be the smallest. If you find the nest in the late summer, you might want to call a professional for help. Large nests are hard to get rid of, and big colonies have a higher chance of stinging you during the removal process. If you want to take on the nests yourself, be sure to wear protection in case you get stung.[2]
    • Most wasp nests will be empty from the fall until early spring. If you find an empty wasp nest, it’s a good idea to remove it while you can, since other insects will sometimes come in and borrow it.
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Pick a secure ladder that’s 3 ft (0.91 m) taller than your roof.

  1. If the nests are outside, you need to get to them safely. Extend a ladder that’s at least 3 ft (0.91 m) taller than your roof and lean it against your home. Have one person stand on the ground and hold the ladder steady as you climb up it. Once you’ve reached the roof, you can either stay on the ladder if you’re close to the nest, or you can carefully climb onto the roof for a steadier foothold.[6]
    • Use extreme caution when climbing up the side of your house, and don’t step on your roof if it’s damaged.
    • Make sure you have an exit route in case wasps fly out of their nest and start stinging you. It might be tough, but you need to climb down the ladder just as carefully as you climbed up it.
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Try nest drenching for the most effective option.

  1. Drenching the nests in insecticide kills the wasps almost instantly. Pick up a bottle of wasp insecticide from your local garden or hardware store, and make sure it has either a nozzle or a spray attachment on it. Very carefully go up to the roof where the nests are, then point the nozzle or the spray tip as close to one nest as you can. Spray the nest liberally, and try to spray any wasps that fly out of the nest if you see them. Then, move onto the next nest.[7]
    • This is not a great option to use if you have a wasp allergy. Nest drenching tends to stir wasp colonies up, and there’s a high likelihood you will get stung.
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Go for nest dusting to lower your chances of getting stung.

  1. Nest dusting is less risky for you, but it’s not quite as effective. Pick up a package of insecticide that’s in powder or dust form. Head up to where the nests are and quickly sprinkle a thin layer of insecticide all over the nests and the surrounding area. Get out of there quickly, as the wasps may fly out and try to sting you. Keep reapplying the insecticide every day for the next 2 weeks until you don’t see wasps anymore.[8]
    • Since the insecticide takes a longer time to kill the wasps, they’re less likely to get mad and fly out of their nest to sting you.
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Remove the nests and throw them away once they’re empty.

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Seal off any entry points in your roof.

  1. Make sure that wasps can’t get back into the area of your roof. Use a leaf blower to blow all the dust and debris off your roof, then grab a silicone or polyurethane sealant.[10] Patch up any holes or large gaps in your roof, especially near your gutters or your chimney. This will prevent the wasps from coming back and stop any wasp colonies in the future from building a new nest in your roof.[11]
    • If you don’t want to go through the process of resealing your roof, you can also buy roof tape to patch and seal small areas.
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Call a pest company if you need to.

Warnings

  • Insecticides can be dangerous. Always read the warning labels, and follow all of the safety instructions on the back.
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  • If you get stung by a wasp and experience hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing, you may be having an allergic reaction and you should call emergency services.[17]
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About This Article

Scott McCombe
Co-authored by:
Pest Control Specialist
This article was co-authored by Scott McCombe and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. 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. This article has been viewed 17,740 times.
25 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: May 28, 2022
Views: 17,740
Categories: Bee and Wasp Control
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