While wasps are generally beneficial in our environment as they help pollinate plants and flowers, they can be a nuisance or even harmful too if they start to swarm near your home or property. In cases like this, getting rid of wasps is a must.

Read on for the best ways to get rid of wasps in Brisbane. The following tips will help you keep your home and outdoor spaces free from these stinging insects.

1. Hang Wasp Traps

Using a trap is one of the most common ways to get rid of wasps. It works by putting some tempting treat like sugar water in a container which lures the insects to go inside and eventually, they will get stuck and drown.

When using a trap, try to locate the wasp nest first and position the trap close to its entrance. Sometimes, traps are unsightly to look at as they accumulate dead wasps. If this is the case, replace them often and put them away from your outdoor living areas.

1. DIY Wasp Trap

Meanwhile, you can make a DIY wasp trap with the following instructions:

1. Get a 2-liter empty plastic bottle. 
2. Cut its top off just below the point where it tapers up to its screw-on lid.
3. Invert it inside the bottom.
4. Put a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt inside it to attract wasps.
5. Hang it near the location of the wasps.

2. Commercial Wasp Trap

On the other hand, you can opt to buy commercial wasp traps which are being sold at shops and online stores. The following are some of the shops in Brisbane that offer wasp traps:

2. Use Wasp Sprays

Another method to combat the infestation of these insects is to use wasp sprays. There are various sprays available in the market with different applications such as spraying directly an individual wasp, its entire nest, or surfaces where wasps frequent. 

When spraying wasp nests, it is recommended that you do it in a sweeping motion, while wearing protective clothing and at a distance from the nest. A good time to spray is on a cool morning when wasps are less active.

Some sprays just repel the wasps while others can both repel and kill the wasps if they attempt to keep using the treated areas. Some can be sprayed on surfaces or can be added to a paint, giving protection to the applied area for a certain period of time.

The following are some examples of wasp sprays that are being sold in Brisbane:

• Hovex Fast Knockdown Wasp Killer
• Yates Blitzem Wasp Killer & Nest Destroyer
• Amgrow Patrol Mosquito Wasp & Spider Insecticide
• Green Diamond Wasp Insecticide Nest Killer
• Pest Repeller Brunnings Indoor & Outdoor Surface Spray

Where to Buy Wasp Sprays in Brisbane

Here are some shops that sell wasp sprays in Brisbane:

3. Nest Dusting

Nest dusting is also another method to get rid of wasps. It uses the powder or dust version of wasp insecticide which is applied to cover the nests and eventually kill their colony. Here, you simply drop the powder over the nest and wait for the wasps to die off.

For best application, pump this dust into the opening where the wasps gain entry to their nest such as a hole in a wall or under a roof tile. As the wasps come back, they walk through this dust and will then contaminate their entire nest.

You will see the results usually within one or two days. It may also require reapplication. The recommended schedule to apply dust is in the early morning when the wasps tend to be less active.

The following are some wasp dust products that are being sold in Brisbane:

• Richgro Ant and Wasp Killa Dust
• Bayer Ant and Wasp Dust
• Yates Bayer Ant & Wasp Dust
• Amgrow Patrol Insecticide Ant/Wasp/Termite Dust

4. Hire a Professional

In many instances, getting rid of wasps can be tricky and better left to professional services for best results. There are also associated risks if you do it yourself as you are dealing with aggressive insects especially if they are provoked.

Reasons Why You Should Consult a Professional

The following are some reasons why you should consult professional services in Brisbane to control wasps on your property:

1. Experts can determine the type of infestation and know the corresponding solution.
2. They have the necessary equipment to do such tasks effectively.
3. Many professionals have certification from the Australian Pest Control Association, giving them more credibility to do their job safely without compromising anyone around the household.
4. They recommend precautionary measures to the homeowners in order to prevent another infestation.
5. They know how to control the use of insecticide and other treatments as it could potentially harm other wildlife in your garden and can remain in the soil for several months.

Average Cost of Wasp Removal Services in Brisbane

In Brisbane, the average cost of wasp removal is around $50 to $80 per nest. Sometimes, there are multiple nests in one household and thus, you may have to pay more. The following are some factors that affect the total cost of wasp removal:

• Infestation type which depends on the wasp specie
• Size of the nest
• Nest accessibility

Common Types of Wasps in Australia

Identifying the type of wasp is important for proper nest removal and to effectively keep them away from your property. Here’s a guide to the most common types of wasps to be found in Australia including Brisbane.

1. European Wasp

This type of wasp has bright yellow legs, black front color with yellow markings, and bright yellow back with black stripes. Worker wasps of this type can grow between 1.2 and 1.7 cm in length, while their queens are much larger. 

In human dwellings, European wasps can be found in cavities in walls, ceilings, and under eaves. These are opportunistic predators and scavengers, as they eat dead animals, fruits, live insects, processed human food, and garbage, among others.

2. Paper Wasp

Paper wasps are smaller compared to European wasps with their worker wasps measuring from 1 to 1.5 cm in length. They have small heads and very narrow waists. The other pair of their wings is larger with brown-tinted color.

They got their name from their nests which are made of paper-like material from the gathered plant stems and dead wood mixed with their saliva. Their natural habitat is in shrublands but they can be found around human dwellings too.

3. Mud Wasp

One of the distinguishable features of a mud wasp is its thin and stick-like petiole or waist which protrudes out from the thorax to the abdomen. They have bright yellow color with large black bands around the abdomen and thorax.

Mud wasps are slightly larger than European wasps with their workers growing from 1.7 to 3 cm in length. Their nests were made of collected mud, particularly clay mud.

4. Yellow Jacket Wasp

These wasps have black color on their front with yellow markings while their back is bright yellow with black stripes. Their legs are also bright yellow. They are almost similar to European wasps, except for the three tiny black dots on their face.

Worker wasps of this type can grow around 1.3 cm in length while their queens are much larger. Yellow jacket wasps often survive the winter and then form a larger and polygynous nest the next year.

5. Asian Paper Wasp

Asian paper wasps can be identified by their vivid black and yellow colors. They have long, thin legs and slender bodies. Their worker wasps can grow from 1.3 to 2.5 cm in length.

In Australia, this type of wasp is considered highly invasive and can be very aggressive toward humans. While they built their nests in trees or bushes, they can be frequently found above ground on houses or other buildings too.

What Attracts Wasps to a Home or Property

As a preventative measure, knowing what exactly attracts wasps to any yard will help you avoid infestation of this type of insect. The following are the top reasons why wasps will choose to pester a home or property.

1. Weathered or Decaying Wood

Wasps need a construction resource to build their nests and the material they use is wood fiber. If you see wasps activity near weathered wood on your property, that’s because wasps scrape wood fiber from such materials to create their nests.

2. Presence of Insects

Wasps are actually considered beneficial yard pests as they control the population of other smaller insects as these are their source of food such as bugs and spiders. Thus, keep an eye on the insect population within your premises as this will attract wasps.

3. Flowers and Foliage

Just like many other insects, wasps are also attracted to flowering plants because of their nectar and fragrance. Large amounts of foliage also give them covers to build their nests. To deter these insects, try to plant other flowers that wasps are not attracted to.

4. Eaves, Porch Ceilings, and Overhangs

If your property has eaves, porch ceilings, and overhangs, pay attention to these areas as these are possible good nesting places for wasps. They often build their nests on corner spots where it will be more protected.

5. Access to Entry Points in Your Home

During winter, wasps often seek shelter indoors in order to survive the climate. If they can get in easily to your property’s open entry points, they will be encouraged to come in. These include doors, windows, vents, and even cracks in your foundation.

Top Reasons Why You Should Get Rid of Wasps

Wasps are not just a mere annoyance if they decide to settle around your home or property. They are capable of wreaking havoc not only on the residents but also on the building structures as well. Here are the top reasons why you should get rid of wasps:

1. Painful Stings and Aggressive Behaviors

Wasps are territorial insects that are well-known for their painful stings and aggressive behaviors. They have this lengthy stinger that they use to attack everyone out of their way and unlike bees, wasps can use these stingers multiple times.

2. Their Sting Can Cause Allergic Reactions

Some people may have severe allergic reactions after being stung by a wasp. In many cases, prompt medical treatment is needed.

3. Wasps Can Destroy Wood Structures of Your Home

Wasps use wood fiber to build their nests and many parts of your house can be a great source of this material such as wood siding, porch, and deck, among others. They can cause significant structural damage, making your house unsafe to live in.

4. Wasps Can Attack in Large Group  

Many types of wasps belong to the social classification which means that they live in colonies and can attack in groups. They release alarm pheromones when they’re threatened or agitated, which means a call for reinforcement from other wasps nearby.

Wasps are resilient insects that build their nests in inconvenient locations such as entryways, gardens, ceilings, and porches. In addition to that, they are equipped with a powerful sting that can cause significant pain and irritation.

The combination of nuisance and painful sting makes wasps a pest that you would want to keep away from your home or property. Take on the above-mentioned tips and you should have various ways to effectively get rid of wasps.