Richmond is a beautiful place known for its historic sites and moderate climate. It also has plenty of green spaces and a warm climate, it’s an ideal place to live. However, these features also make it a perfect home for various insects, especially wasps.
During the summer months, wasps become a common problem in Richmond homes. They often build their nests in your garden area, attics, and even inside walls. The worst part is that they will never hesitate to attack you. Therefore, you should always call professionals for wasps pest control in Richmond to get rid of them.
You can also adopt some DIY approaches to remove them. However, they will be effective only when you know what types of wasps have invaded your home. In this post, we will look at the most common wasps in Richmond and how to get rid of them.
1. Paper Wasps
They are long and slender, with yellow or reddish markings on their bodies. They are often confused with honeybees. However, they have a smoother body. Paper wasps build their nests from chewed wood fibres. They usually create paper-like structures that hang from trees or ceilings.
Attics and wall cracks are their favourite hiding spots in your home. They are not very aggressive. However, they can sting you if they find you around their nests.
Harmful Impacts of Paper Wasps
- Their stings can cause severe pain and sometimes allergic reactions.
- Paper wasps chew on wood, which can damage some structures over time.
DIY Control Methods
You can adopt the following methods to get rid of them.
- You should regularly check eaves, attics, and outdoor garden areas to look for their nests.
- Try to seal all cracks and tiny holes in walls and windows to prevent them from entering your home.
Make sure you try destroying their nests at night as they often become inactive at that time.
2. Yellowjackets
As apparent from their name, they are bright yellow wasps with a smooth and shiny body. Unlike paper wasps, they are more aggressive and often attack in groups. They build nests underground or inside wall cavities. Once they enter your home, they will hide in basements and hard-to-reach areas.
They are attracted to food, especially sugary drinks and meat. Therefore, your kitchen may invite them to your home. They can quickly expand their colony, which makes them a serious problem for you.
Harmful Impacts of Yellowjackets
- They are highly aggressive and often attack in colonies.
- They can sting you multiple times, which can lead to swelling, pain, and skin infections.
- They can also contaminate your food.
DIY Control Methods
You can keep them at bay by:
- Keeping food covered and sealing trash bins to avoid attracting them to your space.
- Using hot water or sprays on their nests. Try this approach only at night as wasps will be inactive.
3. Bald-Faced Hornets
They are black with white markings on their face and body. They are larger than paper wasps and Yellowjackets. They build large nests that can easily be found in trees, corners, and attics in your home. They usually don’t develop nests inside your home.
However, once they do so, it becomes a big challenge to fix this issue. They are highly protective of their nests and will attack anyone who gets close.
Harmful Impacts of Bald-Faced Hornets
- They are highly aggressive and can attack you in groups.
- Their stings are more painful than regular wasps and can cause severe swelling.
DIY Control Methods
You can adopt the following approaches to knock them out of your home.
- The first thing you need to do is to avoid getting too close to their nest.
- You can buy a wasp spray with a long reach to target nests at night.
- Make sure you trim trees and plants around your home to reduce their nesting spots.
4. European Hornets
They are larger than regular ones and grow up to 1 inch in size. Their bodies have brown and yellow stripes. They are also among the most aggressive pests and often attack in groups. They build their nests in tree wall cavities, attics, and inside sheds.
Darker and shaded areas, such as closets and storage rooms are their favourite spots in your home. The worst part is that they remain active even at night. Therefore, you may not be able to get closer to their nests.
Harmful Impacts of European Hornets
- They often make their nests from wood. So, they can chew different wooden structures and damage them over time.
- They can carry harmful pathogens to your room and spread some serious health issues.
DIY Control Methods
You can try the following practices to keep them away from your home.
- They love moist places. Therefore, you should control the moisture level inside your home. Using a dehumidifier and fixing leaks can help you regarding this.
- Turn off lights to avoid attracting them.
Bottom Line
Any of these aforementioned types of wasps can invade your home. DIY approaches will be helpful in only keeping them away from your home. Once they enter your home, you should call professionals to deal with them. They have the right equipment to remove their nests safely.
