Wasp Nest in a Wall: Exactly What To Do Today (and What Not To Do)
Emergency guide for dealing with wasps in wall voids. Learn what to do immediately and what NOT to do to avoid making the situation worse. This guide could save you from a dangerous wasp invasion into your home.
🚨 CRITICAL WARNING
Do NOT seal wall void wasp nests without proper treatment – it can lead to wasps chewing through into your home. This is a common mistake that can make the situation much worse.
If you hear buzzing in your walls or see wasps entering through cracks, follow this guide carefully or call a professional immediately.
First Steps – Stay Safe When You Suspect Wasps in the Wall
Immediate Safety Checklist
If Nighttime and You Must Act
If it's an immediate hazard (e.g. wasps already coming into the house), as a temporary measure, you could tape a fine mesh or cloth over interior vents or cracks to slow their entry indoors, but leave the main exterior entry open so they don't seek a new way out inside. (This is a stop-gap until a pro arrives.)
Why Wasp Nests in Walls Are Tricky (and Potentially Dangerous)
Hidden and Hard to Reach
The actual nest could be several feet from the entry point, deep in the wall. Sprays often can't reach the colony. Wasps build layered paper comb that might span a large section between studs.
Risk of Indoor Invasion
If threatened (by improper spray or sealing), wasps can chew through drywall or find gaps into the home interior. One blog recounted 200 wasps breaking into a living room after the homeowner sealed their exit!
Structural Concerns
Over time, a large nest can soften drywall (from nest materials and moisture). There are cases of nests bulging or breaking through walls. Check if any yellowish stains or soft spots on the wall – could indicate nest pressing on drywall.
Bee vs Wasp Identification
Sometimes people mistake honeybee hives for wasp nests in walls. Note: If the insects are honeybees (fuzzy, golden), the approach differs (you'd call a beekeeper or specialized bee removal, not exterminate). Pros will identify species.
Allergy Warning
If wasps get inside, the sting risk is significant. One should have an exit plan and perhaps keep an EpiPen accessible if allergic.
How Professionals Remove Wasp Nests from Walls (Step-by-Step)
Professional Removal Process
- 1Inspection & Entry Point Location: A pro will confirm where the wasps are entering and roughly locate the nest within the wall (by sound, thermal imaging, or small inspection holes).
- 2Apply Insecticidal Dust (Not Just Spray): Professionals typically use a dust insecticide (like deltamethrin dust) injected into the wall void. Dust drifts and penetrates the entire nest, killing all wasps, whereas liquid spray can't reach deep.
- 3Do Not Plug Until Done: The pro will leave the entry hole open initially – allowing wasps to carry dust inside and preventing forced entry to your home. They never seal it until activity stops and nest is confirmed dead.
- 4Secondary Access if Needed: If the nest is huge or not fully killed by exterior dusting, a professional may carefully open the wall (drill small holes or remove a section of drywall) to directly treat and remove the nest.
- 5Nest Removal & Cleanup: After extermination, ideally the nest material is removed (if accessible) to prevent smell or attracting other pests (ants, carpet beetles can feed on dead wasps).
- 6Sealing Entry & Repairs: Once the nest is eliminated, they will seal up the original exterior entry point (caulk or foam in siding gap, etc.) so future queens don't use the same spot.
- 7Follow-up: Many pros offer a guarantee – e.g. they'll come back in a few days to ensure no more activity, or a warranty period if the wasps return, they'll re-treat free.
Throughout, reassure that a trained technician will do this safely, usually in one visit. This educates readers and builds trust that calling a pro is the effective solution.
What Does Wasp Nest Removal Cost (Wall Nest Specifics)
Typical Range
Removing a wasp nest in a wall may cost more than an exposed nest due to complexity. Nationally, wasp removal costs average around $300–$700 for a single visit job. Wall removals can be on the higher end if drywall repair is needed.
Factors Affecting Cost
Mention factors like height of the nest (second-story wall might add cost), size of colony, and repair costs. For example, LawnLove reports wall nest removal averages ~$630, plus up to ~$950 if carpentry repairs are needed.
Emergency Surcharge
If this is an after-hours emergency call, there might be an extra fee (some pest companies charge +$75-$100 for nights/weekends). Advise readers to ask about this when calling.
Reiterate that leaving a wall nest untreated can lead to bigger expenses (damage repair, or multiple treatments), so it's worth addressing promptly.
Aftercare: Preventing Reinfestation and Repairing the Wall
Seal and Repair
Ensure the entry point in siding or eaves is fully sealed (caulk, steel wool for gaps, etc.). If drywall was opened, repair it once you're sure all wasps are dead. Leaving pheromones or nest scraps could attract scavengers or new queens, so cleanup is important.
Cleaning
If any wasps got into living spaces, vacuum up dead wasps (carefully, as their venom can still cause skin reactions). Dispose of vacuum bag.
Watch for Activity
For the next week or so, keep an eye (and ear) out for any remaining buzzing. It's possible a small secondary nest was elsewhere, or a few stragglers remain. If you still see wasps after treatment, contact the pro for a follow-up (most will re-treat under warranty).
Prevent Future Nests
This overlaps with general prevention: in late winter, check and seal any gaps in siding, where pipes/wires enter walls, attic vents, etc. Consider a yearly pest inspection if wasps have been a recurring issue.
Safety Note
If any comb or honey (in case it was bees) is left in the wall, that can rot or attract other pests – ensure removal. (For wasps, mostly just paper nest which dries out.)
FAQ – Wasps in Walls
Q: I hear wasps buzzing in my wall – will they eventually go away on their own?
A: If it's late in the season (fall), the colony will die out in winter cold, but waiting is risky. They could chew into your home before then. Also, a dead nest can attract other pests or a new queen next spring. It's safer to remove it professionally rather than "wait it out."
Q: Can wasps chew through walls?
A: Yes – wasps (especially yellowjackets) can chew through drywall or plaster if desperate for an exit. They have strong mandibles for chewing wood pulp. Nests have been known to break through interior walls when left untreated. This is why you shouldn't seal them in without killing them first.
Q: Should I block the hole in my wall to trap the wasps inside?
A: No, don't plug the hole as a first step. If you trap live wasps inside, they will look for or create another way out – often into your house. Always eliminate the colony (with proper treatment) before sealing entry points.
Q: What if the wasps get into my house?
A: If you suddenly see wasps in your rooms, they may have chewed through. Stay calm and isolate that area: close doors to that room if possible to contain them. Do not attempt to swat a swarm. If only a few, you can use wasp spray on individual wasps (stand at a distance). If it's an overwhelming situation, leave the house and call professionals.
Q: How long does it take to remove a wasp nest in a wall?
A: A professional treatment typically takes an hour or less to apply dust and secure the area. The wasps in the wall will usually die off within 1-2 days after treatment as they track the dust into the nest. Some exterminators will then remove the nest remains if accessible, which might add another hour. In total, most wall nest jobs are resolved in a single visit, plus perhaps a short follow-up visit to verify all activity is gone.
Need Professional Help Now?
Don't risk wasps breaking into your home. Contact a licensed wasp removal professional for immediate assistance. 24/7 emergency service available.
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About This Guide
✅ Expert-Reviewed
This content has been reviewed by licensed pest control professionals with experience handling wall void infestations.
🛡️ Safety-First Approach
We prioritize your safety with clear warnings about common mistakes that can make wall infestations worse.
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