How to Get Rid of Yellow Jackets in Your Attic

Yellow jackets (wasps)
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How to get rid of yellow jackets inside your home is a matter of choice, and there are various ways to go about it. Yellow jackets typically enter through some hole in your attic or basement. However, you have to make sure it is yellow jackets, rather than bees and wasps, attacking your home.

This is important because different traps and chemicals are used to banish them that will not be effective on other insects. Second, if you have many stinging insects in your home and you cannot determine what they are, it is better to seek professional help. Below, you can find various approaches to getting rid of yellow jackets you can choose from.

1. Professional Help

This approach is preferable because exterminators are trained to identify the stinging insect and offer the best solution. Sometimes, it is recommended to repeat the procedure in order to ensure yellow jackets are gone for good. They will also make sure the stinging insects are not nesting nearby, getting rid of their colonies.

The worst thing about yellow jackets is that they are gossipers: if one finds something interesting or sweet to explore, it will bring back the whole population, especially if their nest is near. If you already tried alternative methods without success, maybe it is time to seek professional help. The only drawback here is the price, which is higher than the one of all other methods, but effectiveness is guaranteed.

2. Using Bee Traps

wasp nest

In fact, bee traps are best suited for catching yellow jackets and wasps. They are not too big and may be placed anywhere in the attic or even on the roof if needed. They contain some sweet or sugary liquid to attract the yellow jackets and trap them until they drown in the trap. It is better to use them outdoors rather than in your attic or home because yellow jackets may soon return with a whole colony. This is quite unpleasant, especially if you are allergic or have small children.

3. Use Repellents

You can use repellents, especially with children or allergic adults. However, they are not intended for permanent use and if yellow jackets nest nearby, they will not solve the problem.

4. Use Chemicals

yellow jacket on a flower

There are plenty of chemicals on the market that help to banish yellow jackets from your attic. Some of them are organic and harmless to pets and nature if you choose to be green. However, most chemicals have to be used with caution, especially the poisonous ones.

5. Further Considerations

Multiple yellow jacket stings are dangerous for small kids and even for non-allergic adults: large amounts of poison in the blood may cause allergic reactions. Be careful if you notice even a single yellow jacket in your attic or home. Soon they may multiply and precautions should be taken immediately. You should avoid annoying yellow jackets because they may become aggressive. If you stay calm, they will rather ignore you, and you will avoid unpleasant or even dangerous confrontations with them.