How to Get Rid of a Wasp Nest in the Roof

It can be a very scary moment. There you are, enjoying an early summer’s afternoon on your deck and suddenly you notice worker wasps flying into and out of your roof’s eaves. The scary part? Unlike with ground nesting wasps, this means the pests are actually living in your house! You better find out how to get rid of the wasp nest in the roof before things get out of hand.

Before You Begin

First, the best way to remove wasp nests is to call a professional roofing company who will do a full roof inspection. If you decide to do your own pest control and tackle the nest removal yourself, you must make sure you are not allergic to wasp stings. If you’re not sure, you will need to visit your doctor to be tested for the allergy. Remember, your nest may be home to one of many different species of wasps, including yellow jackets, paper wasps and bald-faced hornets.

4 Steps to How to Get Rid of a Wasp Nest in The Roof

Safety is even more important for something like getting rid of wasps and bees than it is normally. If you are attacked and/or stung, it can trigger a panic reaction and make you act before thinking.

1. Wear protective Clothing – To further reduce the chance of being stung, you should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, gloves, shoes, a hat and even face covering and safety goggles. And that’s regardless of the time of year. No excuses for it being hot outside.
   
2. Locate the Wasp Nest – If you noticed wasps entering through your soffit, they may be in the eaves just above the soffit, or they may be in the rafters of your attic. Use that exterior entry point as a guide to finding the nest. If they are in the home, the sound of wasps chewing wood during the day can lead you to the nest.
   
3. Approach the Nest in the Early Evening or Early Morning – It is important to get rid of the nest when all the wasps are ‘at home’. While this might seem counter-intuitive, it is better to get rid of the nest when the wasps aren’t active.
   
4. Use Water or Wasp Killer – If the nest is in the eaves and visible from the outside after you remove the soffit, you may be able to spray the nest with water. Be sure to use the high-velocity setting on the hose’s nozzle. A pressure washer may damage your roof. Keep spraying the nest until the water completely soaks and destroys it. Plan an escape route if you are attacked. If you use a wasp killer, follow the instructions on the can.

If you liked this post, check out our article on getting to know your roofing system.