Wasp Nest Removal
Summary: Removing a wasp once the wasps have died should be done as soon as possible. The leftover nest may contain dead insects or stored food that will decay. Once it begins to decay you will be fighting mold and other invading insects.
Sam S; Vancouver, British Columbia asks: I had a wasp nest inside my living room wall. I heard buzzing in the walls and treated the spot with a spray insecticide. Now, there is a strong, "musty" odor coming from a section of the living room wall exactly where I heard the buzzing. Do wasps nests have an odor or is it possible I now have a mold problem?
Dear Sam: Yes, you could have a mold problem inside the wall. That's why we never suggest treating wall voids with liquid sprays. A professional exterminator attempting a wasp nest removal would or should only use pesticide dusts to treat inside walls.
Remember, the wasp nest, which could have contained hundreds or even thousands of larvae, has had the attending adults killed. The larvae have died and are rotting inside the wall and are probably the cause of what you are smelling.
It didn't help matters when you introduced liquid pesticide into the walls.
The space inside walls are supposed to remain dry. The liquid sits there creating a wet environment and suddenly the development of mold becomes a real possibility.
Yellow Jacket nest
We always recommend opening a wall to remove the nest after the wasps or bees have been eliminated. Now you can kill two birds with one stone. Open the wall to remove the dead nest and remove any materials that have mold caused by the moisture you injected.
Comments
24 Sep 2008, 14:38
17 May 2009, 04:07
27 Jul 2009, 12:02
I cut down a wasp nest and put it in a garbage bag inside a garbage can, how long will they live before I can safely remove the lid?
31 Jul 2009, 12:38
Thank you.
11 Aug 2009, 13:32
I have noticed about a dozen or so yellow jackets of various sizes going in between the side of our pool and the concrete slabs. These slabs are supported by a bed of sand. We ahve a 18month old baby who loves to swim so I am understandably concerned. I have tried the Raid hanging trap to no availo as it appeasrs only a small number have been trapped (8) over a period of four days. I also tried soapy water in the evening but haven't dug up the nest - yet! Can you please advise what to do. I live in Ontario where we are having some wierd weatehr patterns humid-thunder storms etc..
Thanks
12 Aug 2009, 10:52
15 Aug 2009, 07:18
16 Aug 2009, 11:10
19 Aug 2009, 13:50
I've tried to spray around the cracks but have been unsuccessful in getting rid of the hornets. Is there anything I can do, or should I hire somebody to take care of the nest for me.
Thanks in advance.
03 Sep 2009, 14:56
08 Sep 2009, 20:22
I am strata council president in a high rise in vancouver and we have a nest in the top of the building I think, as one of the penthouses has swarms of hornets around, and it has made life very unpleasant on their deck. If there is a nest it is high up, and hard to reach. Any suggestions on reputable and able professionals that we might get to come and deal with this problem. I would assume that this nest will just stay over the winter and be used again next year??
thanks
Dale
Vancouver
13 Sep 2009, 15:10
What do we do ? Should we spray at the entrance ?? Please suggest something. Since it is by the entrance door, we are very much disturbed while entering and leaving our house.