How Much Does Wasp Nest Removal Cost?

Average Hornet and Wasp Nest Removal Costs

Wasp Nest Removal Costs by Type

Wasp removal has a one-time pest removal cost of $300 to $700, on average. Accessibility and size of the nest are the main cost factors.

• Hard-to-reach nests in attics or walls may require minor demolition to access, while nests high in trees and under eaves require extra equipment.

• Wasp removal costs include all chemicals needed. Exterminators use pyrethroids for most insect removal, including wasps. They're sprayed on nests and include formulations with residual effects, killing any wasps that may return later in the day.

• Equipment, including ladders and protective gear, are also included in the final cost.

Mud Daubers

Mud dauber wasp nests typically cost $300 to get rid of. Mud daubers aren't notably aggressive, but will defend their nests. The problem with these little wasps is that they tend to build their mud tube nests in sheds, porch ceilings, playhouse roofs, and attics, so they can be problematic to homeowners if they perceive human activity as a threat to their hive.

Paper Wasp Nests

Paper wasp nest removal costs around $400. These little predators nest in easily accessible areas, like trees and overhangs. They are one of the most docile types and rarely attack. Removal is only necessary for high-traffic areas, where kids and pets play nearby, or an allergic reaction is possible.

Hornet Nest Removal Cost

Hornet removal costs around $450, depending on the location and accessibility of the hive. Depending on the hornet species, they either build their nests high in attics, eaves and trees, or in abandoned rodent burrows or underground nests. Hornets are stinging insects larger than your average wasp. With a tan face and yellow and black striped bodies, these predatory insects can grow up to an inch long.

Bald-Faced Hornet Hives

Costing around $625 to remove, blacd-faced hornet nests tend to be high up in tree canopies, so extermination isn't always necessary. Bald-Faced hornets aren't really hornets but a distinct species of wasp. 

Unlike yellow jackets, they don't chase intruders, although they will aggressively defend their nest. But they won't attack when foraging for food away from the home. Notably, though, their  sting is more painful than most other insects'. So if kids or pets are at risk, extermination is the best option.

Yellow Jacket Hives

Yellow jacket removal costs are on the higher end of the spectrum, often averaging around $700 or more. This higher price is due largely to how they create hives. Yellow Jackets often colonize underground burrows where the hive grows rapidly in size before homeowners notice them.

These are the most aggressive type and usually present a health risk. They'll swarm intruders and pursue attackers for hundreds of yards. Their aggressive, unrelenting nature and the size of their nests (commonly the size of a basketball, containing hundreds of wasps) make them particularly dangerous, hence the higher cost of removal.

Wasp Exterminator Costs by Method

The type of wasp and the location of its nest often dictate the best extermination method. For simple hanging paper wasp nests, aerosol is a cost-effective option. But for wasps in the ground or those that have made their home inside your home, other methods work best. 

When you hire a local wasp exterminator, they'll come and inspect your property, identify the nest location and type of wasp, and recommend the best control method for your situation. Each method carries a different cost.

Aerosol

Using aerosol pesticide to remove wasps starts at $125. How much you'll pay depends on the infestation's severity, the nest's size, the type of wasp, and the location. Aerosol is a budget-friendly method of getting rid of wasps with hanging nests, such as paper wasps and bald-faced hornets. 

Standard pesticides include tetramethrin and prallethrin. Natural, plant-based options are available, which use pyrethrin, a natural substance found in chrysanthemum flowers. But going natural usually costs more, with prices starting at $150.

Dusting

Dusting for wasps costs a minimum of $200. This method of wasp control exterminates wasps that nest underground, such as yellow jackets and some species of hornets. A powdered pesticide, like permethrin, is pumped inside the entrance. It sticks to the first group of wasps that then carry it further into the nest, coating and killing all the other wasps quickly. 

Vacuuming

Starting at $250, vacuuming wasps is the method of choice when wasps get inside your home. Sometimes they nest in the walls, and at other times, although they may nest either hanging from your attic or on your home’s exterior, they'll work their way inside to find food and shelter. 

Special vacuums can reach into tiny spaces and suck out the wasps. Vacuuming usually needs to be combined with another service to eradicate the nest as well as suck out the wasps.

Wasp and Hornet Extermination Cost Factors

​​As noted above, the type of wasp does play a factor in cost. Wasp and hornet extermination costs in the range of $100 to $1,300, though you'll typically spend $200 to $600 depending on location and hive size. Below are other factors to consider.

Professional Inspections

Professionals usually do free inspections or include them in the cost of removal. Inspections determine the type of wasp and the nest location and size. Be sure to get quotes from at least three pros before you hire pest removal specialists in your area.

Nest Location

Nests located outside in easily accessible trees or bushes will be the lowest cost to remove. Nests inside the home cost the same to remove as exterior types with one specific consideration: location.

• Walls: additional $500–$1,400 for construction repair. Though rare, they can build inside walls with adequate room, such as uninsulated garage walls. You'll need to budget for the cost of drywall repair and painting costs after nest removal.

• Attics: price varies. They will often build their nests near the interior soffits in an attic, making removal difficult. Extra time and equipment may be necessary for complete removal. In extreme cases, the pro will remove soffits for access.

Size of Infestation

The price you’ll pay for wasp nest removal can increase or decrease depending on the size of the infestation. A large nest means more wasps, which means your cost will be higher.

Orkin Wasp Removal vs. Hiring Local Companies

Orkin and Terminix both offer wasp removal. Typical pest company removal rates fall in the $100 to $400 range though can be higher. Since each removal has specific considerations, both companies offer free quotes for their services and back them with guarantees.

Make an informed decision between hiring a local company or national brand. Each comes with its own pros and cons.

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

For small nests, homeowners who aren't allergic or afraid of stings can try a DIY approach but follow these tips.

• Wear protective clothing: A beekeeper suit runs $50–$200.

• Choose a removal method: Various methods are effective, including using a shop-vac, incinerating and soapy water to kill them.

• Pick a time: Remove them at night when they are docile and grouped together in the nest.

• Leave ground nests to the pros: For ground dwellers, hire a professional to make sure the queen is dead, or the hive will just rebuild.

• Leave bees alone: It's easy to mistake the docile honey bee—a vital component of agriculture—for a wasp. Hiring a professional to identify and safely remove them is cost-effective and environmentally responsible.

Chemicals Used to Get Rid of Wasps

There are two types of chemicals used to get rid of wasps: sprays and dust. You can purchase these online or at any home improvement store such as Home Depot, Lowes or Menards.

• Sprays: $3–$20. Raid, Spectracide, and Ortho all use a chemical mixture to kill them on contact. Most use a directed spray that shoots up to 20 feet. They continue to kill returning insects for weeks after application.

• Dusts: $5–$25. These work by dusting entry points around ground dwelling nests. It prevents insects from either entering or leaving the nest—effectively killing it over time.

Safe Alternatives to Wasp Chemicals

If you're looking for a chemical-free way to kill and deter wasps, there are many options available online or readily available in most kitchens.

• Soap & Water: $2–$20. A 1:4 soap to water mixture in a pressurized sprayer or spray bottle effectively kills wasps on contact and is safe around humans and pets. It's also useful for killing most types of insects.

• Wasp Trap: $5–$20. It won't kill the nest, but it will keep them from specific areas around your home. Effective for keeping high traffic areas clear while leaving the nest alone.

• Dummy Nests: $10–$20. This deters them from entering the area or building a nest. Wasps and bees won't build nests next to established colonies. Many varieties are available online.

FAQs

Is free wasp removal a service offered?

Sometimes you may find a beekeeper or company that collects wasps for medical reasons and may remove the nest for free or for a small travel fee. However, since they do not produce honey, free wasp removal is often hard to find. In most cases, you'll need to pay for wasp nest removal unless your municipality offers free or low-cost removal as a standard service.

What are the dangers of keeping hornets on your property?

Consider both the pros and dangerous cons of keeping hornets on your property.

• Pros: They are docile pollinators and insect predators. They won't sting unless swatted at or protecting the hive. Keeping them around helps control the insect population.

• Cons: More venom and allergic reactions. Since hornets are larger than most wasps, they carry more venom making the sting incredibly painful and possibly deadly. Consider removal when they build a nest in high-traffic areas since hives can reach 700 or more workers.

When is the best time to call a wasp removal professional?

Call a removal professional as soon as you discover a nest in a high-traffic area on your property. Some nests, when small and located in an open area, can be an easy DIY project if you don't mind the risk of being stung. Rely on experienced professionals to remove nests located in hard-to-reach areas like attics and behind walls. Wasp removal is most popular in the spring when wasps begin building nests.

How can I prevent future wasp or yellow jacket infestations?

You can prevent future infestations with products like a Waspinator—a fake hive that tricks the bugs into finding another location. It effectively deters them from entering the area for only $15. You can also leave out traps that come in various styles and either with or without chemicals ranging from $5 to $20.

Will killing a wasp attract more?

Since wasps have “alarm pheromones” that they use to alert other wasps of danger, it’s possible that killing one or disturbing a nest could attract more. After a wasp sounds the alarm, nearby wasps may become more aggressive or even attack. This is why it's best to leave wasp removal to the pros.

Will wasps return to a treated nest?

No, wasps won't return to a treated nest. In fact, wasps don't reuse old nests at all. For this reason, many people choose to leave empty or treated wasps nests in place as a deterrent to other wasps. Because wasps are fiercely territorial, they won't build a nest close to an existing nest, even an empty one. Therefore, keeping old wasp nests in situ can help to stop more wasps from taking up residence in your yard.