Wasps & Hornets
Aggressive stingers whose colonies peak in late summer.
Order Hymenoptera · Peak: Peak aggression late summer–fall
Signs you have them
- Paper nests under eaves, soffits, or in shrubs
- Football-shaped baldfaced hornet nests in trees
- Steady insect traffic at one hole in the ground or a wall
- Repeated stings or aggressive insects near a doorway
Behavior
Paper wasps build open umbrella combs; baldfaced hornets build enclosed football nests; yellowjackets and European hornets nest in the ground or in wall voids. Colonies grow most aggressive in late summer and fall as they defend a large nest, then workers die off at the first hard freeze.
Risks & health concerns
Stings are painful and can trigger anaphylaxis — wasp and hornet stings drive roughly 225,000 ER visits a year in the US. Many species sting repeatedly, and a nest near a door or play area is a daily hazard.
How we treat wasps & hornets
- 01Locate and identify the nest and species
- 02Treat and remove aerial nests, ideally at dusk when activity is low
- 03Treat void nests at the entrance — without plugging it, which drives them inside
- 04Knock down combs and advise on sealing future nesting points
Common questions
We use EPA-registered products applied strictly as directed on the label, and an Integrated Pest Management approach that uses the least-invasive effective method — often baits and targeted placements rather than broadcast spraying. The product label sets the re-entry interval; for most interior applications that simply means staying off treated surfaces until they are dry. We will always walk you through what we are using and any precautions.
Yes. We offer same-day service for stinging insects and active rodent issues, and 24/7 emergency response for wildlife. Call our priority line and we will get a licensed technician out as fast as we can.