Wasp and Hornet Nest Removal · Richmond, BC
Wasp and hornet nest removal in Richmond, done at a safe distance.
By late summer a single yellowjacket nest can hold thousands of wasps, and they defend it hard. Nests turn up under eaves, in hedges, in the ground and inside wall voids. If one is near a door, a deck or a play area, don't go at it with a can from the hardware store. Tell us where it is and we'll try to connect you with an independent provider.
When to act
When wasp and hornet nest removal is worth a call.
- A steady stream of wasps flying in and out of one spot: a soffit gap, a vent, a hole in the lawn
- A grey, papery nest shaped like a football hanging in a tree, hedge or under the eaves
- An open, umbrella-shaped comb under a railing, eave or patio cover
- Buzzing or crackling inside a wall or ceiling
- Wasps appearing indoors with no obvious open window
What to expect
Wasp and Hornet Nest Removal: what is involved.
Three kinds of wasp account for most nests here. Yellowjackets nest in the ground and in wall voids and are the most likely to sting. Bald-faced hornets build the large grey paper nests you see hanging in trees and under eaves. Paper wasps build small open combs and are the least aggressive.
Every colony starts from a single queen in spring and grows through the summer. Nests peak in August and September, which is when most stings happen. The colony dies off with the first hard frosts, only new queens survive the winter, and an old nest is not reused.
That timing gives you options. A small nest high in a tree at the back of the yard can often be left to die off on its own. A nest by the front door, in the ground where children play or inside a wall should be dealt with.
Never seal the entrance to a nest in a wall. With their exit blocked, wasps chew through drywall and come out inside the house. A provider treats the nest through the entry point, typically in the evening when the wasps are home and calm, and comes back to remove or seal up once activity has stopped.
Step by step
From first message to finished job.
Describe it from a distance
Tell the provider where the nest is, how high and how big. A photo from well back is useful. Don't get close.
Treatment
The nest is treated through its entrance, usually in the evening, using protective gear.
Removal
Once activity stops, reachable nests are taken down. Nests inside walls are left to break down in place.
Close the gap
After the colony is dead, the entry hole can be sealed so next year's queens don't use the same void.
Cost
What wasp and hornet nest removal costs in Richmond.
Wasp work is usually priced per nest, with a lower rate for extra nests on the same visit. Height and access are the main things that push the price up: a nest at the peak of a two-storey roof is a different job from one in a hedge.
| Job | Published range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First nest | About $195 | Additional nests on the same visit usually cost less |
Where
Wasp and Hornet Nest Removal across Richmond.
FAQ
Wasp and Hornet Nest Removal questions.
When do wasps go away in Richmond?
Colonies decline through October and die off once hard frosts arrive, usually by November. Only newly mated queens survive, tucked away in sheltered spots until spring.
Will wasps reuse an old nest?
No. An old paper nest is not reused. A good site attracts new queens the following spring, though, so the same eave or wall void can get a fresh nest.
Is it a wasp or a honey bee?
Wasps are smooth, shiny and brightly banded. Honey bees are fuzzy and golden brown. If you have a cluster of honey bees, contact a local beekeeper, who can usually collect the swarm alive.
Can I remove a nest myself?
Small paper wasp combs early in the season are manageable for some people. Large nests, ground nests and anything in a wall are a different matter, and anyone with a sting allergy should stay well away. Never work from a ladder or roof near an active nest. Call 911 if someone who has been stung has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or feels faint.
Why are wasps so aggressive in September?
The colony is at its largest, natural food is running out and the workers switch to hunting for sugar. That brings them to patios, fruit trees and garbage bins in numbers.
Other services
More ways we can help.
Tell us what you've noticed.
A few details about the problem and your neighbourhood is all it takes to get connected with a local provider.
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