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If you’re noticing more wasps too close for comfort in your outdoor living spaces, or even invading your home, it might be time to solve your wasp problem. Whether they’re hiding between the vinyl in your eaves or building a nest under your covered porch, you need a powerful wasp spray to put an end to this winged assault.
The best wasp spray will kill on contact and from a safe distance, keeping the user out of harm’s way as they perform their grim job. These potent pesticides use a blend of neurotoxins that attack a wasp’s nervous system, rendering it paralyzed on contact. When sprayed into a nest, the substance will coat the hive, killing wasps returning to the hive hours later.
If you need a solution to your wasp problem, read on to learn which type of wasp spray is right for your home, and don’t miss our list of some of the best wasp sprays you can buy.
- BEST OVERALL: Raid Wasp and Hornet Killer, 17.5 OZ (Pack of 3)
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:
- BEST SPRAY CAN: Spectracide Wasp and Hornet Killer 20-Ounce 2-Pack
- BEST CONCENTRATE: Syngenta 73654 Demand CS Insecticide
- BEST FOAM:
- BEST ORGANIC INSECTICIDE: EcoSMART Organic Wasp and Hornet Killer
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Types of Wasp Spray
While most wasp sprays use the same chemicals to perform their job, sprays come in three forms.
Spray
Wasp sprays contain powerful pyrethroids and pyrethrins that will effectively paralyze a wasp on contact, preventing it from retaliation by stinging the user. These sprays allow you to stand a reasonably safe distance of up to 27 feet away, reducing the odds that you’ll be stung. As wasps tend to make their nests in the eaves of your home, this long range allows you to reach the nest without having to use a ladder, which could be dangerous should you need to make a hasty retreat.
Of course, blasting a nest from 27 feet away takes some skill. The further away you are, the harder it is to aim the spray accurately, causing waste or, worse, leaving enough wasps alive to mount a counterattack.
A thorough approach works best when using a spray. A few spurts aren’t enough. Keep the nozzle depressed and coat the entire nest to ensure all wasps are disabled to prevent any from retaliating or escaping to build a hive in some other location near your home.
Aerosol Foam
Aerosol Foam sprays work similarly to standard sprays, only the liquid creates a foam on contact, trapping the wasps, then paralyzing them with chemicals. The foam expands after it hits a nest, increasing the pesticide’s coverage and ensuring fewer wasps escape. While aerosol foams provide better coverage than standard sprays, they have shorter ranges of up to 20 feet.
Liquid Concentrate
For smaller problems, a simple can of spray or aerosol foam will get the job done. Unfortunately, wasps can be persistent pests, returning to make nests in various nooks and crannies around your home’s exterior. If you have a recurring wasp problem, you may need a large supply of wasp killer on hand to keep the wasps at bay. One bottle of liquid concentrate can make up to 40 gallons of spray, offering a much better value than the spray-ready products. Concentrates are also typically effective against a broader range of insects than canned sprays, allowing you to take out ants, roaches, and a whole host of other pests.
Concentrates do have their downsides. You must mix the concentrate with water before using it, which can be a hassle. You’ll also have to purchase a sprayer to apply a liquid concentrate once mixed. A liquid concentrate pesticide also won’t have the same range as aerosol because it is not compressed in a can. This means you’ll need to stand much closer to the nest when applying the pesticide, making you more vulnerable to stings.
Our Top Picks
The products below kill wasps on contact, with most allowing you to remain at a safe distance when doing so. This list includes some of the best wasp sprays from the most well-known names in pest control.
Best Overall
1
Raid Wasp and Hornet Killer, 17.5 OZ (Pack of 3)
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Unleash destruction on that wasp’s nest threatening your home while standing at a safe distance with this wasp killer from Raid. This 17.5-ounce can boasts an impressive 27-foot range, allowing you to hit high eaves and window casings without having to teeter dangerously on a ladder. You can also stand well away from lower-level hives, minimizing the chances of being stung. Raid also includes a higher percentage (0.05 percent) of cypermethrin, the neurotoxin that kills wasps, than most other pesticides.
This pack includes three 17.5-ounce cans, making sure you have plenty of backup should the pests return to take up residence in another part of your home. In addition to killing hornets and wasps, this pesticide will also kill mud daubers and yellow jackets. This spray is safe for indoor or outdoor use, but keep it away from eating surfaces and food.
Best Bang For The Buck
2
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Hot Shot’s 14-ounce spray can features an impressive 27-foot range, allowing you to hit both low and high spots on your home’s exterior with ease without having to get too close to the hive. You also don’t need to worry about discoloring the siding or trim on your home’s exterior, as this product is stain free.
Hot Shot kills on contact. Simply aim the narrow stream at the hive entrance, then expand to cover the whole nest. This pesticide also lingers, killing wasps that return to the hive days later. In addition to killing wasps, this product will also eliminate hornets, yellow jackets, tent caterpillars, and scorpions for those living in the Southwest. This product is safe for outdoor use only.
Best Spray Can
3
Spectracide Wasp and Hornet Killer 20-Ounce 2-Pack
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With its ability to kill wasps and a whole host of other pests, this wasp and hornet killer from Spectracide is an excellent option for home pest control. In addition to taking out wasps and hornets, Spectracide will also rid your home of ants, tent caterpillars, yellow jackets, and even the odd scorpion. This spray can delivers a stream of wasp-paralyzing poison a maximum distance of 27 feet, allowing you to hit high places without the need for a ladder.
Simply coat the entire nest and wait 24 hours for it to kill stragglers returning to the hive. This wasp killer won’t stain siding, making it safe to use under eaves and covered porches, along window casings, and in other nooks and crannies where wasps like to build nests. This pack of two 20 oz cans offers some backup for larger wasp problems.
Best Concentrate
4
Syngenta 73654 Demand CS Insecticide
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For those recurring wasp problems, buying individual cans can become cumbersome and costly. You may prefer to have a lot of pesticide on hand. This 8-ounce bottle of concentrated insecticide from Syngenta will make 40 gallons, ensuring that you’ll have plenty of pesticide to keep your home’s wasp population at bay. It will also kill 30 types of insects, including spiders, flies, fleas, ticks, and bedbugs.
There are some trade-offs for the value this spray offers. You need to purchase a sprayer to apply this product. It also requires you to mix the concentrate with water before using it. And, since it’s not compressed in a can like other products, it doesn’t offer nearly the range that more expensive aerosol cans offer. But you may find the cost savings worth the inconvenience.
Best Foam
5
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You don’t have to worry about your poor aim with this wasp killer from Ortho. The pesticide foams upon contact, expanding to cover a larger surface area than standard sprays. This makes it easier to saturate the nest, killing wasps entering and exiting the hive and even those that return later.
Ortho Home Defense features a range of 20 feet, allowing you to hit doorways, eaves, and windows with ease while standing out of harm’s way.
In addition to getting rid of wasps, this spray will also take out yellow jackets, mud daubers, and hornets. It’s safe for use outdoors and indoors in attics and other non-living areas. It comes in 16-ounce cans.
Best Organic Insecticide
6
EcoSMART Organic Wasp and Hornet Killer
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When you have pets and kids, using pesticides can make you nervous. As much as you need to rid yourself of that growing wasp’s nest under the front porch, conventional pesticides can be a health hazard. EcoSMART’s wasp and hornet killer solves your wasp problem without endangering your family’s health. It’s also easier on the environment. This insecticide is 100 percent organic, using plant oils instead of neurotoxins to affect insects’ nervous systems, killing them. These oils affect only insects, so they are safe for humans, pets, and wildlife. In addition to killing wasps, this product will also eliminate hornets, yellow jackets, and other flying insects.
There are some trade-offs to consider. EcoSmart costs twice as much as or more than standard spray pesticides. It also has a shorter range of 18 feet.
FAQs About Wasp Spray
If you’re wondering how you should use wasp spray, how these products kill insects, or whether they’re harmful to humans, read on for answers.
Q. How do you use wasp spray?
Use the following steps to put an end to the wasps invading your home:
- Wait until sunset. While this may sound dramatic, it’s actually strategic. These insects are least active at dusk, meaning most of the wasp population will be in the hive, maximizing your ability to eliminate all of its inhabitants.
- Stand safely away from the nest. Wasp sprays are designed with ranges of 15 to 27 feet for a reason. When you spray the hive, the wasps will attempt to counterattack. The farther you are from the hive, the safer for you. It’s also important not to stand under the nest, as the spray will run off of it and fall to the ground along with any six-legged casualties.
- Soak the nest. Don’t be stingy with the spray. Dousing the nest will ensure that you kill all the wasps, preventing them from coming after you. A nest soaked with pesticide will also take care of any inhabitants that return to the hive later.
- Wait 24 hours. Even if you plan your attack at sunset, it’s unlikely every wasp will be at home. Wait 24 hours before removing the nest to allow the pesticide to kill any wasps returning to the hive.
- Dispose of the nest. Remember that most pesticides are hazardous to humans and pets. Wear gloves and a mask when removing the wasp nest. Make sure to put the nest in an enclosed garbage can to prevent pets and children from coming into contact with it.
Q. What does wasp spray do to a wasp?
Wasp sprays use chemicals known as pyrethroids and pyrethrins, both of which cause catastrophic damage to the wasp’s nervous system on contact, paralyzing them and then killing them. This is why a wasp will drop out of the air instantly after being sprayed.
Q. Is wasp spray dangerous to humans?
Wasp spray is dangerous to humans. The National Pesticide Information Center warns that brief direct exposure can cause symptoms that include difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, itching, or burning. Always use caution to avoid skin or eye contact, do not breathe it in, and do not ingest wasp spray. But if an accident happens, contact a Poison Control Center. Should symptoms be concerning, seek emergency medical help immediately.
FAQs
What is the best pest control for wasps? ›
Existing Nest: The best way to get rid of a wasp nest is to use an insecticide that contains a freezing agent. PT Wasp and Hornet Killer Freeze, Wasp X Spray, or Bonide Wasp & Hornet Aerosol are good options for nest elimination since the freezing agent keeps the wasps from stinging.
What do professionals use to get rid of wasps? ›To eliminate wasps, you can hang wasp traps, spray nests, or use a homemade mixture of soap and water to kill live wasps. If you hire a pest control expert to get rid of wasps, the team will destroy existing nests and apply additional yellow jacket treatments to prevent re-infestations.
What wasp spray sprays the farthest? ›Spectracide Wasp & Hornet Killer Spray, Kills Wasps, Hornets and Yellow Jackets, Sprays Up To 27 Feet, 20 Ounce.
Is there a spray that will keep wasps away? ›Mix together a few drops of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils to naturally repel wasps. You can add this essential oil blend to a spray bottle along with a few tablespoons of dish soap, fill the rest of the water bottle up with water, and shake.
How do exterminators get rid of wasps? ›The most common treatment for wasps involves the use of an aerosol spray or concentrated liquid applied directly to the nest, which often kills wasps on contact and continues killing any wasps that return to the nest for several days after.
Will wasps return to a sprayed nest? ›Once a nest has been thoroughly sprayed with a pesticide, it is best to leave it alone and return to remove it the next day. If there are any surviving hornets or wasps, they will return back to the nest and the residual effects of the spray will eliminate those insects as well.
What is the best time of day to spray wasps? ›The best time of day is early morning when most of the wasps will be inside the nest and activity is at a minimum. I recommend having two cans of aerosol wasp spray at the ready.
How often should you spray for wasps? ›Ortho recommends waiting 24 hours, then checking on the nest and respraying if necessary. Once the nest is inactive, you can knock it down with a long stick. If you have ground nests, use a powder wasp killer like Sevin instead of a spray.
Can you spray wasps during the day? ›Avoid spraying the nest directly during the day so you do not get stung. Spray the nest liberally. If you're using a freezing agent in a wasp aerosol spray form, spray when most wasps are home at night to eliminate the infestation.
Why is my wasp spray not working? ›It could be that you're using the wrong kind of stinging insect control. Spraying the entry point with a liquid wasp spray or other aerosol will kill a lot of yellow jackets, but you will not get material into the nest itself. Nests treated with aerosols will almost always bounce back.
What will keep wasps away from my patio? ›
Grow plants in your patio planters that wasps don't like, like lemongrass and peppermint. Mix clove, geranium, lemongrass essential oils with water, shake well and spray your patio area. You'll have to spray your patio regularly throughout the summer.
What eats wasps? ›Insects, mammals, birds, and reptiles eat wasps. Insects like beetles, centipedes, dragonflies, hoverflies, spiders, moths, robber flies, and praying mantis eat wasps. Wasps are omnivores because they eat various plant-based foods and other insects.
Why do wasps keep coming back after spraying? ›Any wasp that was not in the nest when the pesticide was applied wasps will likely return. Depending on the product used when they enter, the pesticide will eventually affect them. If they sense danger or see the damage, they may not enter and look for another hive to accept them.
What spray do wasps hate? ›Peppermint oil on its own has been shown to act as a natural repellent for wasps and bees, or you can use a combination of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils as a natural pest control method.
How long does spraying for wasps last? ›This product can be sprayed on surfaces or added to paint or stain. When mixed with paint or stain, it's able to “lock in” and provide a year or more of protection. When used as a spray, it will last 30 days keeping away most any insect pest including wasps.
How do you get wasps to leave? ›Distract them with something sweet. 'Gardeners could also consider placing a small glass of orange juice in a remote corner of their garden to draw wasps away from an occupied area,' says Catherine Alyons.
Does Dawn get rid of wasps? ›Yes, you can kill wasps with dish soap. The soapy water can also kill bees and hornets. Dish soap works because it helps the water get through the exoskeleton of the wasp, which can then drown the stinging pest. This method can be particularly useful when you find a loan wasp who wandered into your home.
How do you get wasps to move? ›Use plain water. Wasps build nests in a dry, sheltered spot that is protected from the elements. You can encourage them to move to a different area (without killing them) by spraying the nest with a hose. Stand a good distance away and set your hose sprayer to a gentle, rain-like setting.
What does WD 40 do to wasps? ›WD40 will also foam when it interacts with the hot temperature of the wasp. This smothers the lungs and suffocates the wasps until they die. Even if the wasp does not suffocate, it will die of poisoning. WD40 is poisonous once it has entered the system.
Will wasps leave if you destroy their nest? ›Wasp nests are easy for wasps to come back to time and time again because they are filled with and surrounded by these pheromones. Even after removing the nest, those pheromones can linger and stick around where the nest was. Pheromones help wasps protect their nests as well.
What time do wasps go to sleep? ›
When do wasps sleep? Generally speaking, wasps do not sleep as we might think of sleeping. Wasps tend to become less active at night and during the winter female wasps are known to hibernate. They can become very inactive, and appear to be asleep, but they are just dormant.
What attracts wasps to my house? ›Easy Access: A house with many open entry points will attract wasps, bees, and other pests. Wasps always get in through any open cracks, holes, and open doors and windows that are left open. Even the vents and cracks in your foundation give access to wasps to enter and build nest your house.
Where do wasps go after you spray their nest? ›Once sprayed, the wasp killer foams up to trap them in their nest. Ortho recommends waiting 24 hours, then checking on the nest and respraying if necessary. Once the nest is inactive, you can knock it down with a long stick. If you have ground nests, use a powder wasp killer like Sevin instead of a spray.
How do you get rid of a wasp nest without getting stung? ›The most effective option is to build a small fire and smoke them out. They'll abandon the nest and you won't have to use dangerous chemicals.
How many yellow jackets live in a nest? ›A colony of yellow jackets only forages about a mile from home to gather their food, so if you are seeing them frequently, odds are you're close to their colony, or nest. Nests have populations of 2,000 to 4,000 worker yellow jackets (all female), some drone (male) yellow jackets and up to 50 queens at once!
How long does it take for wasp spray to work? ›It usually takes about 24 hours for wasp and hornet spray to work. After a 24-hour period, watch the nest carefully for several minutes. If no wasps or hornets are visible, use something to knock it down from a distance. If you see any insects flying, respray the nest and wait 24 more hours before knocking it down.
How many wasps are in a small nest? ›Paper wasp colonies are small, usually fewer than 200 wasps per nest.
What time of day are wasps least aggressive? ›Wasps are generally more active in the middle of the day when it's warm, and less active between dusk and dawn when temperatures are cooler. You can tell its summer by looking at the insect activity around.
What happens to wasps when sprayed? ›In reality, wasps usually die off within 15 minutes after coming in contact with the treatment. The delayed reaction to the insecticide gives them time to carry the dust into the nest interior and spread it around, contaminating the whole nest.
Is wasp spray toxic after it dries? ›If you're wondering, “Are pesticides safe after they dry?”, the answer is that most are safe once dried.
Do pest control deal with wasps? ›
All pest technicians will also have special gear to protect them from stings, and a range of treatments to kill off the wasps. They usually offer the option to remove the nest a few days after the treatment has taken place, but this may not be possible if the nest is heavily embedded into the structure of the building.
Does Ortho Home Defense Work for wasps? ›Ortho Home Defense Hornet and Wasp Killer7 is the 1 product you need to protect against hornets, wasps, yellow jackets and other listed insects. You no longer have to stand close, the jet spray reaches nests up to 20 ft. above the ground.
Does Ortho Home Defense Get rid of wasps? ›Kill wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets in above-ground nests with Ortho® Home Defense® Hornet & Wasp Killer7. The jet spray reaches 20 feet above the ground, and the foaming spray traps stinging pests in their nest.
How much does it cost to get rid of wasps? ›Professional wasp removal costs around $383 but can range from $100 to $1,300. * The severity of your wasp infestation is one of the most significant determining factors. For example, you might pay only $200 if an exterminator kills 50 wasps and a single nest, but up to $500 if you have a larger infestation.
Will wasps return to a destroyed nest? ›Will Wasps Return To a Destroyed Nest? If a structure was destroyed by natural occurrences, wasps and their queen may attempt to rebuild in the same location.
What can I spray to keep wasps and hornets away? ›Peppermint oil: Wasps and hornets hate the smell of peppermint oil! So, take a cotton ball soaked in peppermint oil and place it near areas where you've seen wasps and hornets. You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with water and use it to spray areas.
What kills wasps Besides wasp spray? ›The fact is, ordinary liquid soap in a spray bottle works as well as anything I've ever tried when it comes to dropping and killing wasps around the house.
What happens after you spray a wasp nest? ›Once sprayed, the wasp killer foams up to trap them in their nest. Ortho recommends waiting 24 hours, then checking on the nest and respraying if necessary. Once the nest is inactive, you can knock it down with a long stick. If you have ground nests, use a powder wasp killer like Sevin instead of a spray.
How long does Ortho Home Defense last? ›Ortho® Home Defense® Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2 kills bugs inside while keeping them out by using as a preventative treatment or after evidence of insect activity. A bug barrier of up to 12-months protection (against ants, roaches and spiders indoors on nonporous surfaces) provides long lasting results.
How do you get rid of yellow jackets if you can't find the nest? ›The smell of peppermint is a yellow jacket repellant. Combine a few drops of pure peppermint oil, a few tablespoons of dish soap and warm water in a spray bottle. Locate any active wasp nests and carefully spray the concoction around the entrance.
How long does wasp spray keep wasps away? ›
This product can be sprayed on surfaces or added to paint or stain. When mixed with paint or stain, it's able to “lock in” and provide a year or more of protection. When used as a spray, it will last 30 days keeping away most any insect pest including wasps.