How to Get Rid of Wasp Ground Nests Guaranteed

If you’re wondering how to get rid of wasp ground nests safely and permanently, you’re in the right spot. This article has all my insider wasp exterminator tips on how I get rid of wasps, hornets & yellowjacket ground nests guaranteed.

How to Get Rid of Ground Wasps

In late summer, mowing the lawn or playing outside can become a dangerous game of wasp roulette. Did you lose once? Twice?

Getting rid of wasps in the ground can be easy, but it can be VERY hazardous.

Wasps like yellow jackets are fiercly territorial, and will attack agressively when the nest is disturbed.

Underground Yellow Jacket Nest

Always wear a protective suit designed to withstand stinging insects. Thick street clothes will probably not protect you from yellow jacket stings.

At night, or when temperatures are below 55F is a good time to remove a ground wasp nest because wasps are endothermic and cannot move quickly in the cold.

It’s important not to get stung. It’s reported that allergic reactions to bees, wasps & hornet stings can become more serious the more times you’re stung.

If you are stung, consider using an over-the-counter allergy medication like Benadryl right away to help alleviate swelling. 

DO NOT attempt to destroy a yellow jacket nest if you are allergic to bee stings!

Best Way to Kill Yellow Jacket Nest in Ground

Once you’ve put on your protective suit, it’s time to go out and attack the nest.

• Vacuuming: Using a shop vac, suck up as many wasps out of the ground as possible. Use stakes to secure the vacuum intake close to the wasp entry and let the vacuum run for about 20 minutes.
• Dust: Try using a dust product containing diatomaceous earth (DE) and a bellows duster to apply the dust inside the hole. Note: Use a respirator when applying DE to prevent silicosis–an irreversible health condition of the lungs. 
• Liquid spray: Most natural wasp & ant killer sprays will work well when directly contacting the yellowjackets or hornets. Hot soapy water or an essential oil spray will also kill yellow jacket ground nests.
• Foam: Use a foaming hand sprayer or a ready-to-use foaming aerosol wasp killer and apply to the ground nest.
• Dig & destroy: Use hand tools to excavate, smash up & destroy the nest.

Ground Hornet Nest

When tackling a ground hornet nest, it’s important to move quickly. These aggressive insects can sting repeatedly and cause serious allergic reactions and pain. 

Sometimes its best to call a professional pest control company. They have the equipment, training and experience to remove the whole nest safely, and may even provide a warrantied service.

Bees in Hole in Ground

If you notice ground nesting bees, do not spray them! Ground nesting bees are almost always solitary and non-aggressive.

Ground nesting bees such as mason bees & sweat bees are in general smaller than yellow jackets & hornets, can be black or metallic green, and lack the bright black and yellow warning stripes.

Ground nesting bees represent dozens of different & highly important species of native pollinators. Since they aren’t likely to sting (because they have no colony to defend), and are beneficial to the environment, it’s important to protect ground bees.

After all, we rely on pollinators for our food crops!

If you’re unsure, or need help getting rid of wasp ground nest in the Portland Oregon area, get in touch with Pest & Pollinator today!