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What to Do When You Encounter a Bee or Wasp Nest

Encountering a bee or a wasp in your backyard or garden can be scary. These are stinging pests and can pose a threat to you and your family. In Idaho, outdoor activities, like barbecues and picnics, are cherished. While bees and wasps are important for pollination, they can become aggressive if you touch their nest or threaten them. 

While you may want to handle the problem on your own, it is important to seek help from a professional pest control in Meridian. It is highly likely that you might get stung if you attempt to remove it without proper training, tools, or protective equipment. These stings can be painful and even trigger severe allergic reactions. 

Important steps to follow when you encounter a bee or wasp nest

Understand the insects

Before you try to get rid of the nest, it is important to identify the type of insects you are dealing with. Wasps, like yellow jackets and bald-faced hornets, are more aggressive than bees. However, bees are relatively less aggressive in nature. Bees are good for plants, but you should be very careful when approaching them.

Assess the threat level

After identifying the type of insect, assess the threat level. If you find a solitary bee nest or a small paper wasp nest, you should leave it alone. Wasps and bees help pollinate and contribute to plant health. Therefore, they can coexist with humans. However, if the nest is in a busy area, has aggressive wasp species, or poses a danger to society, you should take immediate action.

Do not disturb the nest

You might want to throw a stone or disturb the nest while seeing one. However, you need to stop yourself from doing this. Wasps are extremely sensitive to movement and can become aggressive if they sense any danger. 

Do not move too close to the nest, and monitor it from a safe distance. If you want to approach the nest, make sure you are covered in protective clothing, such as masks, helmets, gloves, and long sleeves, to avoid the risks of bites and stings.

Wait for the right time

Wasps and bees are less active in the early morning and evening. If you wish to remove their nests, it is important to wait till the right time. For a safer removal process, it is advisable to wait till dusk as more insects will be resting in their nests. Do not approach them during the daytime when they are most active, as they might sting you.

Protective gear

It is very crucial to wear the right clothes to protect yourself when removing a nest. Make sure your body is fully covered, including your head, face, ears, and hands. You can wear a bee suit or thick clothes for extra protection. You can also wear a hat with a face mask to protect yourself from possible stings and bites.

Wasp Nest

Use chemical sprays with care

If you decide to use a chemical spray to get rid of the nest, make sure it is specifically designed for wasps or bees. Read the instructions on the bottle carefully and apply them from a safe distance to mitigate any risks. Many people are allergic to wasp bites and stings. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional pest control service for this task.

Natural alternatives

If you do not want to use chemicals, you can also try natural methods to treat wasp nests. For this, mix boiling water with dish soap and pour it into the nests when these insects are less active. Peppermint oil can also be used as a natural repellent, as it can bother the wasps and make them leave the area.

Protect your family from stings!

If you find a bee or wasp nest in or around your house, you should take action immediately. Hire a professional pest control team in Idaho today!