Seeing swarms of bugs and insects makes many people uncomfortable, especially in summer. The minute you think you’ve had them all under control, you find a new breed disrupting the peace in your outdoor space.
Some bugs seem more dangerous than others, and wasps are among the most stubborn ones that might take over your home garden forever.
This is life, and wasps play a crucial role in the environment, but you still want to keep yourself, your family, and your friends safe from their stings. I’ll teach you what to do if you find a wasp’s nest under your deck and how to deal with their attacks. So, let’s dive in.
What Are Wasps?
Wasps are related to ants and bees, and the most popular types are hornets and yellowjackets.
They’re social insects that live in colonies, but you’re more likely to find a hornets’ nest under your deck. Yellowjackets usually build their nests under the ground, but they might also live in hollow trees.
These annoying bugs go back more than 200 million years ago, so don’t expect them to go extinct any time soon.
Why Are Wasps Important?
What do wasps actually do? Why are they important?
They help farmers because they kill dangerous pests, like weevils, lawn grubs, and caterpillars that can damage their produce. They catch these bugs and feed them to their young, saving grass, flowers, and crops.
Besides their pest control duties, wasps play a big part in pollination as they can transfer pollen when they sip on the nectar of certain plants.
One specific type of wasp is responsible for the pollination of figs. They are called fig wasps and ensure the growth of hundreds of different kinds of fig plants.
While their environmental and ecological value is acknowledged, wasps are also a danger to humans. They gravitate toward people and even build their nests under wooden decks or around homes.
Besides the insects they consume, wasps are fond of sugar. This explains their annoying presence at most picnics, outside fairs, and just about any place they can feed their addiction to sweets.
Are Wasps Dangerous?
Gnats, bees, and mosquitos are annoying and can bite you if provoked. But they don’t compare to wasps. Wasps are more aggressive and like to travel in groups. You might easily face a swarm of wasps if you pose a threat to them.
When a wasp stings you, it will inject you with its venom. Don’t worry because it’s not deadly, but irritating and usually painful.
And if you are allergic to bees, you may be allergic to wasps. This is a bit worrying.
What Do You Do if a Wasp Bites You?
You’ll experience burning and/or sharp pain in the area where you were bitten by the wasp. The area around the bite will swell up, be itchy, and turn bright red for a short period.
There might also be a white spot in the middle. The good news is that these symptoms usually do not last very long!
Some people might experience more serious symptoms. Large local reactions include severe redness, but they aren’t dangerous. These might take a week or so to resolve.
Treating a Wasp’s Bite
Clean the area well with warm water and mild soap. Don’t scrub it to avoid irritation, but go over it gently to remove all the residual venom on the skin.
If the bite is swollen, apply an ice pack to the area to reduce it. If the pain and itchiness persist, an over-the-counter antihistamine should relieve you.
How Do You Know You’re Allergic to Wasps?
Most people recover from wasp insects pretty fast with no complications. Yet, in most cases, there might be more severe symptoms that show that you’re allergic to wasp stings and might go into an anaphylactic shock.
- Hives or severe itching on the skin, away from where the sting is.
- Trouble swallowing due to a swollen tongue.
- Swelling of the lips and throat that worsens with time.
- Wheezing, coughing, and other breathing difficulties.
- Dizziness and sudden drop in blood pressure.
- Lightheadedness and loss of consciousness.
- Changes in your pulse.
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What Should You Do?
If you know you’re allergic to wasps or bees, you already know what to do. It’s a good idea to buy a bee sting kit, which comes with epinephrine injections. Give yourself one of them after getting stung.
But what if you don’t know?
Pay attention to the symptoms you’re experiencing. Are you facing difficulty breathing? Do you feel that you’re getting worse?
You might have an allergic reaction and need to seek emergency medical attention.
How to Get Rid of Wasps Under Your Deck
Now that you know everything about wasps, you should learn how to handle them if they show up at your home, especially under your deck.
Wasps love wood, which provides protection and allows them to build their nest. So, how can you deal with a wasp’s nest? Here are five things to do if you spot a wasp’s nest under your deck.
1. Check All Areas
The first thing you should do is to check if there are other wasp nests around. Check wooden porches or overhung trees around the exterior of your home.
Seal all the cracks and crevices because these are where wasp queens will most likely build their nests. Use a potent outdoor sealant to prevent wasps from building new nests.
If it’s already getting cold, you can wait because wasps will abandon their nest in winter. Once gone, you can carefully remove and discard it safely.
2. Use a Repellent
Whether using a natural or chemical repellent, it’s best to spray the nest at night when the wasps are moving slower and not as combative.
You can dilute peppermint oil with water and dish soap to get rid of the wasps. The soapy water will suffocate them, while the peppermint scent is offensive to these bugs.
Once you believe the nest is empty, use a broomstick to break it. Stay away in case a stray wasp is hanging around.
If you are uncomfortable doing this yourself or you are allergic, call a professional who can safely remove the nest from your premises.
3. Use a Vacuum Cleaner
This is an excellent way to eliminate wasps without coming near the nest. If you have a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, use soapy water to vacuum some of the wasps.
Extend the hose using a broomstick and vacuum the nest at night. If your vacuum cleaner has a dirtbag, wait a few days before emptying it.
4. Stick Wasp Traps
Wasp traps lure wasps towards them, and the insects drown in the liquid. This is a long-term method that helps you get rid of stubborn wasps that have been hanging around for a while.
It usually takes a few days to a week to eliminate most of the wasps. After that, you can use any of the previous methods to empty the nest.
You can also make a trap using a bottle filled with water, sugar, and honey. Cut the bottle in half, flip the top part, insert it into the bottom half, and your trap is ready.
The scent of the sugary liquid will attract wasps, and they will drown inside. Scatter several ones around the deck to get rid of all the wasps.
5. Surround Your Deck with Pest-Repelling Plants
Several plants can make your outdoor area less desirable for wasps. Their scents repel these bugs, so they won’t be eager to build their nests under your deck.
Flowers like marigolds and coneflowers, and fragrant herbs like peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass, wormwood, thyme, and eucalyptus will keep wasps at bay.
How Can You Prevent Wasps from Returning in the Future?
Once you are finally done with these pesky insects, some things prevent them from returning.
- Keep your trash bin covered so they are not attracted to sweet food.
- Spray under your deck regularly to maintain control of the area.
- When taking matters into your own hands, be careful, maintain a safe distance….and be ready to make a run for it!
Final Thoughts
Wasps can be a real nuisance when they build a nest under your deck. Their stings aren’t fatal but they can be quite painful. If you’re allergic, seek immediate medical help if a wasp stings you.
Always seal all the cracks where wasps are more likely to build their nests. You can use chemical and natural repellents to control their numbers or remove the bugs using a vacuum cleaner.
Once you’ve got rid of the wasps, discard the nest, and grow some fragrant plants to keep them away.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
--
If you want more backyard tips including recipes, how-tos and more, make sure you subscribe to my youtube channel