It is strongly advised not to destroy a hornet’s nest or a wasp’s nest yourself because this involves considerable risks. Wasps and hornets are insects that hate to be disturbed, and when they sting, they inject venom into their victim, a venom dangerous because of haute toxicity. However, some people want to pay for the destruction of a nest. In this case, you might as well know what not to do and what is the best method to limit the risks. But it is still much more reasonable to go to a professional.
Destroying a hornet or wasp nest: what are the risks?
Hornets and wasps are real warriors who go on the attack without the need to tickle them much. So removing their nest exposes the unwary to serious health risks. These insects are very aggressiveand as far as the hornet is concerned, only one individual is capable of burst. With its long stinger, it deposits its venom deeply in the very heart of the blood vessels. As for the wasp, it is also dangerous and its victim is even more exposed if it has an allergy to its venom. The consequences may, in either case, be deadly.
Destroy a hornet’s nest or a wasp’s nest: what you should not do
In order not to run reckless risks, you have to be wary of false good ideas that can be gleaned everywhere. Contrary to what many people think, under no circumstances should :
- Tap on the nest with a shovel or any other accessory. This is a really insane method because it only has the effect of exciting hornets and wasps. Within seconds, insects can swoop down on their attacker and sting them dozens of times in an effort to defend themselves.
- Water a nest of wasps or a hornet’s nest until the walnut : it is totally ineffective because a good number of insects will escape the water. Angry, they will rush on the assailant to prick. It also means taking the risk of flooding your house if the nest is in the attic…
- Inflammer and nid of wasps or hornets is a method as dangerous as it is ineffective. You can start a fire, and many insects will have time to escape the flames anyway. Joined by their congeners who were outside the nest, they will sting the incendiary very violently.
- Do not intervene if the nest is placed high up (tree, gutter…) or if it is very difficult to access.
Without in-depth knowledge of these insects with dangerous venom, one should not get involved in destroying their nest.
Destroy a hornet’s nest or a wasp’s nest: precautions to take imperatively
It is highly recommended to entrust the destruction of a hornet’s or wasp’s nest to a pest control professional. However, if you want to take on this most risky task yourself, you must take the necessary precautions, namely:
- Do not undertake to remove a wasp nest in case of allergy.
- Find out beforehand about the behavior of these insects in order to anticipate their behavior.
- Wear specific clothing to protect yourself from bites: the slightest millimeter of skin must be covered. We therefore equip ourselves with protective glasses, respiratory protection and personal protection. Face, neck, hands, arms, legs, feet must be fully covered. This safety equipment also equips the professionals responsible for eliminating hornet and wasp nests because the risks are real.
- Intervene at night because this is the time when hornets and wasps are a little less virulent (which does not, however, exclude the risk of bites).
- Avoid using a powerful torch which would only wake them up.
- Use only powerful professional products in order to eradicate undesirables.
- Anticipate a plan of attack so as not to act by improvisation.
- Make sure you have a possibility of immediate withdrawalespecially if you have to treat indoors.
Once all these precautions have been taken, approach the nest gently and quickly cover it with a large, easily resealable plastic bag – of the garbage bag – while keeping a handy bombe d’insecticide specific. Once the nest is inside the bag, it must immediately be sealed and placed in a dumpster with a lid located at a reasonable distance from the dwelling. For more security, you can insert the tip of the spray can into the bag before closing it and spray the nest generously.
Finally, it is possible to play the card of the prevention by installing wasp traps in the garden, by placing mosquito nets at the windows to prevent these insects from entering, and by regularly cleaning the surroundings of his house as well as the attic. This allows to check that a wasp or hornet nest is not forming in a crack or under the framing.