How To Kill Wasps Naturally

How To Kill Wasps Naturally

Wasp removal is scary.

No one wants to risk the rage of a wasp as you try to eradicate them.

So how can we safely handle wasp nest removal that isn’t toxic to the environment, you, or your pets?

Use A Super Soaker To Kill Wasps Naturally.

What?! Child’s play?!

~ A gentle reminder: OMT! uses Amazon referral links at no cost to you!~

Yep, using the kid’s summertime fun water gun.

So naturally (just NO with the puns, Patti), I’m going to share my amazing no-fail lifehack with you.

Um, a Super Soaker Lifehack?

What have we become here at OMT?

Brilliant, is what!

Deterring Wasps

Spring is when we usually see an influx of wasps building nests in undesired places.

Wasps like to build in the garden, in the eaves of houses and even the grass.

This weekend, while trimming the vines on the front of the house, I discovered a wasp’s nest in the vines and practically dove off the ladder trying not to get stung.

Those be some angry wasps when disturbed.

Must deter wasps!

SPOILER ALERT FOR THE SQUEAMISH:

We killed ’em ded.

I know there is lots of info about leaving wasps alone because they are beneficial, and I am all for leaving nature to do its thang, but when the wasp’s nests are above my front door, or in a place that makes it impossible to just get along – it’s either me or them.

One of us has to go.

SPOILER ALERT #2: It’s totally them. They gots to go.

How To Kill Wasps Naturally

I’m the gal who will try the all natural route before anything else.

This includes wasp control.

Sometimes the all natural methods work, other times it’s a flop.

The Super Soaker method works every dang time, without putting more of the stuff that’s bad for us into the environment.

Kill Wasps Without Harsh Chemicals:

We make and use a homemade wasp killer spray.

Instead of buying harmful chemicals to kill the wasps and eradicate the nest, I did what we have done for years: I filled our Super Soaker (Boy’s Super Soaker from when he was a kiddo) with a mixture of water and Dawn dish-washing soap (We have only used Dawn liquid dish soap for this method, so I can’t speak to any other brand.), gave it a good shake, then handed it off to Garry, cause, you know, WASPS!

Garry’s job is to eradicate the wasp’s nest and kill all occupants.

Mine is to run screaming around the yard if one gets away and dive-bombs me.

It’s good to know your role!

How To Get Rid Of The Wasp’s Nest

1. Garry stood about 6-10 feet back from the nest (that’s important…stay back) and asked me to point to the nest.
2. He pumped the Super Soaker, to ensure a full blast.
3. He pulled the trigger and let the water and soapy mixture hit its target: the nest o’anger.
4. Make sure to re-blast nest area to get a good soaking of soapy water.
5. Stomp on any still wriggling on ground.

Be humane and put ’em outta their misery quickly.

Soapy Water Kills Wasps

If you didn’t, you do now.

The prevailing wisdom is that the soapy water clogs their breathing spores, and therefore, they can’t breathe.

They immediately fall to the ground, where we employ the stomp and scream method to finish the job.

Fine, Garry doesn’t scream – that would be me, again.

The pictured Super Soaker in this link has happy and satisfied reviews.

I wish I could offer a link to ours, but they don’t make them any more.

NOTE: As of this updated post, we now use the Scatterblast Blaster, linked at bottom of the post.

This one seems like it would get the job done and then, hey, you’d still have a Super Soaker for all the fun!

Using A Natural Wasp Killer Is Environmentally Sound

Unless…you have the giant wasp nest and would rather a professional handle it.

Speaking of a giant nest, we found one that had HUNDREDS of wasps in the late summer.

I advised Garry this job was above our pay-grade.

He scoffed (no literally, he scoffed).

How To Kill Wasps, Garry-style:

He waited until the evening, waited for the wasps to make their way home, and took care of business.

I, of course, stayed safely out of mad-as-a-hornet range.

He was victorious, my valiant wasp killer, but honestly, had it just been me, I wouldn’t have attempted.

You do you and decide what is safe and what is best left to the professionals.

When Eradicating Wasp’s Nest, Exercise Common Sense

Be safe above all else.

If you’re allergic – ALL THE NOPES. (keep the OTC allergy meds on hand!) Get someone else to handle this job.

We have been using this method for so many years, I don’t remember when we started.

Let me say it again: The best part is it works every stinkin’ time.

After a hearty couple of soapy blasts, we check to make sure the wasps are dead and we knock down the physical nest as a lesson to those who dare to return and rebuild.

You Can Also Use A Garden Sprayer To Kill Wasps

You could use a regular garden sprayer if you are without a Super Soaker (why are you without a Super Soaker?!). 

Garry likes to use the garden sprayer (not the kind for spraying weeds) when the wasps are in harder to reach or see places, like our vines.

Start the spraying from the top, let the soapy water mixture flow downward and soon you see EXACTLY where the nest is as the retreat.

Retreat is such a benign word.

Let me frame it more accurately: those wasps will come out swinging, looking to stab you with their poison daggers of pain, ready to die if they must (they must).

Killing Wasps Ain’t For The Weak

If you miss your target, they’re coming after you.

I’ve been stung before, so use extreme caution, especially if you’re allergic.

It’s all fun and games until Patti is running through the yard like a maniac.

Some recommend attacking at night, when the painful little beasts aren’t as active.

We have tried that method (see above) and the biggest drawback is that you can’t see the flying devils as well as in the full light.

The plus to that method is most of the wasps are home during yer sneak attack, which means they won’t be back.

We’ve almost always done it as soon as we see a nest being started on the eaves or any hidey hole they can find (like cleverly disguised in the vines).

You could also use a bucket of soapy water that you splash on the nest, but again, I ask, why don’t you have a Super Soaker? (they are sooo much fun!)

Wasp Deterrent

One of the very best ways to deter wasps from returning is to fully knock down their nest.

The nest will hang on a thinner stem – get rid of that too.

Wasps are known to return to any part of a remaining nest.

Be diligent in making your home less hospitable for them to start building anew.

Remember To Use Extreme Caution When Employing The Super Soaker Method

To recap:

• Find the wasp nest
• Fill Super Soaker with a mixture of water and Dawn dish soap.
• Give the Super Soaker to your hunter!
• Stand back while they spray nest.
• Scream and run when angry wasps come flying for you.
• Stomp wasps to death when they hit the ground.
• Clean all evidence of nest, so the stabby wasps don’t return.

Stabby indeed, those little devils are out for blood.

Our weapon of choice is the Scatterblast Blaster, but we have also used a regular garden sprayer.

The beauty of using Super Soakers is they are easy to fill and handle. We keep one loaded with wasp juice in the garage all through the spring and summer.

In all the years we’ve used this method, Garry has been stung once. 

It’s quick, it’s efficient and it makes me happy to know we’re not using harsh chemicals.

If you haven’t tried killing wasps naturally with soapy water – what are you waiting on?

Originally posted June 29, 2016. Updated April 10, 2024

Update On How To Kill Wasps Naturally

 

We have used this method successfully since this post was originally posted in 2016.

Sweet E is now of the age where he wants in on the action.

Last week we discovered a wasp nest above our front door and he wanted to man the Super Soaker.

We agreed as long as Garry supervised.

He handled it like a champ. The wasp’s nest got blasted and every wasp stomped ded.

All of this to say that this method is easy enough for an older child to use (but, again, use extreme caution and make sure a capable adult is supervising).

If You Liked This Lifehack, Here Are A Few More You Might Enjoy:

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There you have it. All the hacks!

I hope you not only enjoyed this post: Super Soaker Lifehack: How To Kill Wasps Naturally.

Will try this method!

Happy Hunting, Y’all!

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