Believe us when we say that we know how relaxing time in the yard isn’t so relaxing when wasps are buzzing around. They tell you to stay still when there’s a wasp nearby, but it always turns into a marathon when a wasp decides to show up!
What’s even more inconvenient is discovering wasps nesting in your gutter. Thus, we’ve dedicated this article to demonstrating how to get rid of a wasp nest in the gutter.
Also, stay tuned for more information on how to keep wasps at bay.
What Draws Wasps to Your Yard?
We wanted the first section to help you understand why wasps landed in your yard in the first place.
1 – Shelter
A wasp is classified as either solitary, living alone, or social, which stays in colonies.
The social breeds that are commonly seen hovering over our yards are always on the lookout for a safe haven, especially in the spring. The wasp colony usually dies during the winter due to a lack of food, and the only survivor is a fertilized queen.
When the weather warms up in the spring, all of the fertilized queens in each colony begin looking for a place to build their homes.
“What’s so appealing about my gutter, then?” You might ask.
If your gutter is clogged with debris and leaves, it’ll provide ideal shelter for wasps.
Besides, it’ll not reach the point where a large amount of water will pass through and damage their nest. Yet, the environment inside the gutter remains damp and provides them with the necessary moisture.
2 – Outdoor Water Source
Wasps are frequently seen flying over bodies of water. In explanation, they can’t eat solid food, so they get their nutrition from any source, usually in liquid form.
Accordingly, water serves as a source of both energy and food for them.
Hence, if you have a water pond, pool, or fountain in your yard, you can expect some visitors. Eventually, those can make their way to your dripping gutter.
3 – Food Supply
If your yard offers a wasp’s favorite food, it’ll be here to stay.
Wasps have a sweet tooth, so it makes sense that they’ll be drawn to things like honey, jam, fruits, and open juice or soda bottles.
BBQs also double as a paradise for wasps because they adore protein-based food. Consequently, they’ll begin feeding on any scraps of meat.
Plus, wasps consume other pests and larvae that could be found in your gutter.
4 – Flowering Plants
Wasps have a fine taste in flowers. Aside from nectar, they’ll stop to admire the foliage and fragrance of a flower.
Truth be told, despite their stinging reputation, they make excellent pollinators and are a great asset to gardeners. Some people intentionally grow specific plants in their gardens that produce nectar to draw wasps.
How to Get Rid of a Wasp Nest in a Gutter
Before we continue, please keep in mind that the steps outlined below are only for small nesting cases. If it’s more complicated than that, or it appears to be a long-standing nest, it’s best to call in professionals.
Let’s get started on getting rid of some unwanted guests!
Safety Precautions
- Dress in a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, closed-toed shoes, and socks
- Wear an extra layer of clothing; wasp stings can penetrate through one layer of clothing
- Dress in light colors like white, beige, or blue
- Avoid wearing too bright colors or too dark colors, because wasps might perceive them as a threat
- Make sure you’re not wearing any perfume or scented products
Tools Required
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Mask
- Wasp nest spray or dish soap water mixed with water
- Broomstick
Steps to Clearing the Nest
1 – Scouting
First, carry out a small investigation in the evening when the wasps are dormant.
Recall where they tend to hover over the gutter and attach a ladder a little further away from it.
Next, climb up to pinpoint the exact location of the nest so that you can spray it when the time comes.
2 – Spraying
If you use wasp spray, make sure it’s non-toxic to humans and eco-friendly. It’s also a good idea to get one with a long nozzle so you can spray from a distance.
For a DIY solution, combine two tablespoons of dish soap with water in a spray bottle. As simple as it sounds, this mixture suffocates and kills wasps immediately.
Go up there again in the evening after you’ve taken all the necessary safety precautions.
Mornings are best avoided for two reasons. The first is that wasps are extremely active during the day. The second is to ensure that the majority of them have returned home.
Once you’re up there, start spraying the nest thoroughly and any wasps that fly out from it. After you’ve finished spraying, the spray will linger in the nest, killing any returning wasps.
You might need to repeat this process for up to four days, at least until you notice there’s no longer any activity up there.
3 – Removing
Double-check to ensure that there are no wasps in the gutter. If this is the case, detach the nest with a broomstick and dispose of it.
3 Ways to Prevent Wasp Nesting in Your Gutters
We don’t want to have to cross off “removing the wasp nest” from our to-do list more than once. The good news is that wasps lose interest quickly in a place if it shows unwelcoming signs.
So, let’s put those signs up using the following tips:
1 – Keep the Gutters Clean
Keeping your gutters clean and having water flowing smoothly through them will prevent pest nesting.
Plus, wasps won’t find them a secure shelter when they’re free of debris and leaves.
2 – Limit Temptations
Always keep your grills closed, garbage bags sealed, and your yard free of food waste.
Also, as previously mentioned, wasps feed on other pests. So, if you have an infestation, it’s time to have it removed.
3 – Spray Peppermint Solution
The smell of certain plants irritates wasps. Eucalyptus, citronella, wormwood, and mint are some examples. That’s why we recommend planting them in your yard to deter wasps.
For your gutter, dilute a few drops of peppermint oil in water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Shake well before spraying this mixture into the gutter and any other potential nesting areas.
Final Thoughts
The best piece of advice we can give you is to make your yard and gutters as unattractive to wasps as possible, and hopefully, you won’t have to deal with them.
If they’re already settled in your gutter, follow our instructions on how to get rid of a wasp nest in the gutter and you should be fine.
Just remember to take all necessary precautions; after all, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. As a homeowner, I love working on projects around the house, and as a father, I love investigating various ways to keep my family safe (whether or not this involves tech). I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.