Stinging wasps around Arcadia homes
- Western yellowjackets
- Black and bright yellow, compact and fast. They nest in the ground, often in old rodent burrows, and sometimes in wall voids and attics. Late-season nests can hold thousands of workers. They sting repeatedly and are drawn to meat and sweet drinks.
- Paper wasps
- Long-legged, slender, yellow and brown or reddish. Their open, umbrella-shaped nests hang under eaves, patio covers, railings and play structures. Less aggressive but will defend a nest.
- Mud daubers
- Thin-waisted wasps that build tube-shaped mud nests on walls. They rarely sting.
Yellowjackets are wasps, not bees. They do not make honey, and they can sting many times.
When to call for removal
- A nest is near a door, window, walkway, pool or play area.
- You see wasps going in and out of a gap in a wall, eave or the ground.
- Anyone in the home is allergic to stings.
- The nest is high up or hidden and cannot be reached safely.
- Yellowjackets are crowding outdoor dining areas in late summer.
Not sure what you found? Describe the signs when you call. The connected provider can help determine whether an inspection or service visit is appropriate.
Call (626) 597-0007How a provider may remove wasp nests
Locate the nest
Call (626) 597-0007. The technician watches flight lines to find the entrance, which matters most for hidden ground and wall nests.
Treatment
Dust or a targeted product goes directly into the nest entrance, usually early morning or evening when wasps are inside.
Removal
Exposed paper wasp nests are knocked down and removed after treatment. Ground nests are treated and left to collapse.
Wall nests
Nests inside walls are treated through the entrance. If a large nest stains or attracts pests later, the cavity can be opened and cleaned.
Preventing wasps
- Check eaves, patio covers and play sets in spring for small starter nests and knock them down early.
- Cover food and drinks outdoors in late summer.
- Keep trash bins closed and rinsed.
- Fill old rodent holes in the yard, since yellowjackets reuse them.
- Seal gaps in siding and eaves where wasps can enter wall voids.
Related services and guides
Wasp FAQ
Can I spray a wasp nest myself?
A small, exposed paper wasp nest can sometimes be handled with a store-bought spray at night. Yellowjacket ground and wall nests are much more dangerous and are best left to a professional.
Do wasps reuse old nests?
No, but a good nesting spot often attracts new queens the next spring.
Should I plug the hole of a ground nest?
No. Yellowjackets will dig a new exit, sometimes into the house if the nest is near a wall.