If you’re noticing more wasps around your home during late summer in Michigan, you’re not alone. This is when they are most active and more likely to sting if they feel threatened. Whether it’s a nest tucked under your eaves or wasps buzzing around your landscaping, knowing how to handle them safely is important.
In this article, you’ll learn safe removal tips and prevention strategies to help keep your home and yard sting-free.
Key Takeaways
- A wasp nest near your home can be risky, and trying to remove it yourself is not safe.
- Different wasps build nests in different places, and knowing the type helps you figure out what to do.
- Sealing off a nest too soon can backfire, so let a pest expert handle removal and check for safety.
- Keeping your yard tidy, food sealed, and checking early for nests can help stop wasps from moving in.
Safe Wasp Removal Tips for Michigan Homes
Spotting a wasp nest around your home can be stressful, but removing it yourself isn’t something we recommend — especially with aggressive species like the Eastern yellow jackets or nests in risky spots like attics.
Here’s what you can do safely to assess the situation and when to call in the pest control service.
Identify the Nest Type and Location
Not all wasp species in Michigan behave the same, and understanding what you’re dealing with helps determine your next step.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you spot the most common wasps near you:
| Image | Wasp Type | Nest Location | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Paper Wasps | Open nests under eaves, made from wood fibers | Low to moderate; easy to spot early |
 |
Yellow Jackets | Hidden in-ground, attics, or voids | High; very aggressive and hard to access |
 |
Bald-Faced Hornets | Enclosed hornet nests in trees or on sheds | High; active in late summer, painful wasp stings |
It’s also worth noting that some insects — like honeybees and bumblebees — are often mistaken for wasps. These pollinators are beneficial and generally not aggressive.
If you’re unsure, consult Michigan State University’s resources or a wasp control service before taking action.
Time Your Approach Wisely
Wasps are less active in the cool hours of early morning or late evening. If you need to observe a nest to show it to a pro, these times are safest.
Always keep your distance, as one upset wasp can signal others to defend their nest using their stinger — especially social wasps like the German yellowjackets.
Don’t Seal Nests Prematurely
If you’ve found a nest inside a wall or attic, do not seal it off.
Trapped wasps may chew through walls in search of an exit. Let a pest control expert confirm that the nest is inactive before closing any openings.
Leave Removal to the Experts
Even small nests can hold dozens — sometimes hundreds — of wasps.
Attempting removal without training can lead to injury. Exterminators have the proper gear and techniques to remove nests and ensure all larvae and adult wasps are gone.
In addition to physical removal, professionals can use appropriate pest solutions for long-term results — especially if you’re dealing with a recurring infestation.
Prevention Strategies to Keep Wasps Away
After a nest is gone, it’s important to take steps to prevent more from forming. Here’s how to make your home less appealing to wasps.
Maintain Your Landscaping
Overgrown trees and bushes give wasps shelter, while fallen fruit or exposed trash gives them a food source. Keeping your landscaping trimmed and tidy helps deter wasps, carpenter bees, and other unwanted pests.
Use Decoy Nests
Certain types of wasps, particularly social wasps like the European paper wasps, won’t build nests near another colony. Hanging a decoy hive early in the season can help keep new wasps from settling.
Regularly Inspect for Early Nest Activity
During spring and early summer, queens scout for nesting spots. Catching a mud dauber or cicada killer early can prevent a full-blown infestation. Check high corners, sheds, and voids around your home regularly.
Secure Trash and Outdoor Food Sources
Wasps are drawn to sugary drinks, meats, and exposed garbage. Use tight-fitting lids on trash bins and clean up spills promptly. This simple step helps keep Hymenoptera species like wasps and bees away.
Ready to Safely Remove Wasps from Your Home?
When it comes to wasps in Michigan, safety is always the priority.
At Pest Pros of Michigan, we provide safe, effective wasp nest removal — without putting you or your family at risk. We’ll locate and eliminate the nest, remove all wasps and larvae, and help you prevent future infestations with long-term solutions tailored to your property.
From Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids, we’ve helped homeowners across Michigan take back their homes and yards from these stinging insects — and we’re ready to help you, too.
Ready to stop worrying about wasps? Get in touch with us today.
