Removing Yellow Jacket Nest From House Siding

Yellow jackets building nests and colonies inside house siding is a common and frustrating problem for homeowners. The buzzing swarms pose a sting risk, and nests hidden in walls can allow the wasps inside your living spaces. Getting rid of these uninvited guests takes some work, but is doable with the right techniques.

Why Yellow Jackets Nest in Siding

There are a few key reasons yellow jackets are drawn to build nests within house siding

• Protected site – The enclosed space shelters the nest from weather, predators, and other disturbances.

• Insulation – The siding provides warmth to help the colony survive winter in cold climates,

• Cavities and crevices – Gaps between siding boards or panels allow easy entrance.

• Close to food – Nearby human homes offer sweet drinks, trash cans, and ripening fruit trees.

Carpenter bees also nest in siding, but can be identified by their larger size and lack of waist.

Locating Hidden Nests

Finding the exact spot yellow jackets are getting into walls or soffits can be tricky. Here are some clues to locating nest entrances:

• Observe wasp flight paths near the house, especially where they seem to disappear.

• Listen for buzzing noises within walls. Trace the sound to a general area.

• Look for small (1/2 inch or less) round entry/exit holes with worn, smooth edges.

• Watch for yellow jackets entering cracks between overlapping panels or boards.

• Focus on southern and western exposure walls, which get more sun.

• Nearby exterior nests may offer clues to potential indoor access points.

Pinpointing the entry hole is key for effective treatment.

Treatment Options

Once you’ve located active yellow jacket access holes in siding, you can use these methods to eradicate them:

Insecticide spray – Products like wasp freeze or fast-acting sprays are injected directly into the nest opening. They kill on contact.

Dust insecticide – Puff dusts containing permethrin into the entry holes. Wasps spread it throughout the nest.

Insect growth regulator – Apply a product that prevents wasp larvae from maturing. It eliminates nests more slowly.

Vacuum extraction – Carefully use a bee/wasp vacuum to suck out some adults, brood, and nest material.

Fumigation – Fogging an entire wall with insecticide gas may be needed for large infestations.

Wall void injection – Make small holes to inject dust or spray every 16 inches over infested areas.

Nest removal – Physically extracting accessible nests can provide immediate relief if combined with other controls.

In most cases, getting the nest while it’s small produces better results. Seek help from a professional exterminator if you have a severe, expanding infestation.

Prevention Tips

After removing siding nests, some prevention steps can make your home less inviting to future yellow jackets:

• Caulk, seal, and screen any visible gaps in siding, vents, windows, etc.

• Attach yellow jacket traps near problem areas in spring to catch queens.

• Limit exposed food, trash, standing water, and fallen fruit that attracts them.

• Apply residual insecticide spray around potential entry points preventively.

• Keep ground vegetation trimmed back from siding.

• Use fine window screen in vents to exclude insects.

• Install house siding and soffit materials that leave fewer seams vulnerable to nest building.

With persistence and the right products, you can successfully boot undesirable yellow jacket nests from your home’s siding. Stay vigilant for signs of new colonies each season. And when enjoying the outdoors around your newly wasp-free house, watch where you step!