How to Kill Wasps and Hornets and Prevent Their Nests

Find all of the wasp and hornet nests on your property during the day when they are most active and mark each nest you find with a garden flag. Look for wasps and hornets to nest in places like patios, under decks and in underground rodent holes.

Put on tight, protective clothing to protect against stings and locate the garden flags at night when wasps and hornets are least active. Apply an insecticidal dust containing either carbaryl or chlorpyrifos directly onto the nest or into the nest opening.

Check the nests the next day for any wasp or hornet activity. If you notice any, re-treat the nest at night with the insecticide dust. Once you are sure the wasps and hornets are dead, knock down the nests.

Inspect your lawn and around your home on a weekly basis for wasp and hornet activity. If you discover any, treat them immediately before they become a problem.

Prevent wasps and hornets from nesting in and around your yard. Do not leave open food and drinks out and store trash in a garbage container with a tight-fitting lid.