Ground wasps can be a nuisance and safety concern if they build nests close to your home. Getting rid of ground wasp nests requires some care to avoid getting stung, but there are several effective methods you can use. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about identifying ground wasps, finding and eliminating nests, preventing future infestations, and treating stings. With the right approach, you can safely rid your property of ground wasps.

Identifying Ground Wasps

Ground wasps belong to the genus Bembix and are a type of sand wasp or digger wasp. There are over 400 species found worldwide, with around 20-30 occurring in North America. Here are some tips for identifying ground wasps:

Appearance: Ground wasps are black and yellow or white-banded, similar to yellowjackets. They are relatively slender with a thin, thread-like waist. Their wings are smoky black. Ground wasps range from 3/4 inch to just over 1 inch long.
Nesting habits: True to their name, ground wasps build nests underground in burrows in sandy soil, old rodent burrows, or cavities under rocks, patio stones, logs, or debris piles. The entrance will be a single hole about 1/2 inch wide, sometimes with a mound of excavated soil nearby.
Behavior: Ground wasps are solitary nesters, with each female wasp constructing and provisioning her own burrow. You may see numerous holes in an area as multiple females nest near each other. The wasps fly rapidly in and out of holes on hunting forays. They are not very aggressive, but can sting in self-defense if disturbed.

Finding Ground Wasp Nests

Locating all the ground wasp nests on your property is important for control. Here are some tips for finding their hidden nests:

Look for Holes

Carefully inspect your yard for single hole nest entrances, especially in sandy soil, rock beds, and mulched areas. Watch for wasps flying in and out. The holes may have nearby piles of excavated dirt. Mark any holes you find so you can treat them.

Follow Foraging Wasps

Observe the flight patterns of foraging ground wasps. Oftentimes, they will lead you back to their nests. Watch where wasps go after visiting flowers, water sources, or other sites.

Check Undisturbed Areas

Focus on sections of your landscape that are less maintained, like beneath shrubs, in storage areas, or wood/rock piles. Disturbed soil also attracts nesting, so check places that have been recently dug up.

Inspect at Dawn/Dusk

Ground wasp activity peaks during the warmer parts of the day. For best visibility, look for them leaving nests at dawn or returning in the evenings. This is when you can pinpoint nest holes.

Use a Stethoscope

You can sometimes hear ground wasps buzzing in their nests through a stethoscope or other listening device placed by the hole. This can confirm occupancy.

Mark and Monitor Holes

Once you find a potential nest entrance, mark and monitor it for wasp traffic to verify it is active. Some holes may be old/abandoned rather than active nests.

Removing Ground Wasp Nests

Once you locate ground wasp nests on your property, you can use the following methods to safely destroy them:

Pour Boiling Water

For smaller nests, boiling water can be very effective. Approach the nest at night and slowly pour 3-4 gallons of boiling water down the entrance hole. The heat will kill wasps and larvae inside the nest. Cover the hole with soil after treatment.

Use Insecticide Dust or Spray

Insecticide dusts or sprays specifically for ground-nesting wasps can be applied to the nest entrance. Follow product directions carefully. Avoid runoff into lawns/gardens.

Remove Nest Burrow

Larger nests may need to be dug out with a shovel once the wasps are gone. Carefully excavate the burrow and look for larval combs inside. Removing nests helps prevent reuse in future years.

Apply Dry Ice

You can also use dry ice to treat nests. Drop pieces into the entrance and quickly cover with soil. The carbon dioxide will displace oxygen flow and suffocate wasps inside.

Contact a Pest Control Expert

For large infestations, it is often wise to hire a professional pest control company. They have the proper protective equipment and insecticides to safely treat multiple ground wasp nests on your property.

Preventing Future Ground Wasp Nests

After removing ground wasps, take steps to discourage them from nesting again in the future:

Fill in Holes and Bare Spots

Eliminate places suitable for nests by filling holes, ruts, and bare soil areas where female wasps can dig. Level any mounds around previous nests.

Use Landscaping Fabric

Install landscape fabric over bare ground in problem areas. This acts as a physical barrier to prevent digging while still allowing water flow.

Maintain Ground Covers

Keep thick ground cover vegetation like mosses, vines, or dense plantings to make the soil less accessible. Avoid mulches and pea gravel that allow digging.

Check Window Wells

Make sure window wells have proper drainage and no debris/leaf buildup where wasps could nest in the corners undisturbed.

Seal Off Access Points

Check places like weep holes, gaps in siding, openings in sheds/outbuildings, spaces under steps, and cracks in foundations. Seal up any crevices leading under homes or into crawlspaces.

Apply Repellents

Insect repellent sprays, granules, or stakes made with natural ingredients like mint oil, garlic, or cloves can help deter ground wasp nesting in treated areas. Reapply regularly.

Limit Bare Sandy Soil

If possible, minimize bare sandy soil areas on your property, as these are prime nesting spots. Replace with less desirable compacted clay, mulch beds, patios/walkways, or gravel.

Check for Nesting Early

Keep an eye out for the first ground wasps in spring to identify nesting sites before populations build up. It’s easier to treat single nests than widespread colonies.

Treating Ground Wasp Stings

While not aggressive unless provoked, ground wasps will sting in self-defense if disturbed, stepped on, or if they get trapped against bare skin. Here is how to treat a sting:

Remove the stinger as soon as possible by scraping it out sideways with a flat object like a credit card. Don’t squeeze the venom sac.
Wash the sting area with soap and water to remove traces of venom. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling.
Over-the-counter sting relief sprays or creams containing lidocaine can numb pain. Oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine can reduce itching and swelling.
Monitor for signs of allergic reaction, including severe swelling, redness, headache, nausea, or shortness of breath. Seek emergency care if you have trouble breathing.
Avoid scratching the sting as it heals, as this can lead to infection. Keep the area clean and use antibiotic cream if needed.
If stung multiple times, or stung inside the mouth or throat, get emergency medical help immediately. Toxic venom doses can be life threatening.
See your doctor if any sting symptoms persist beyond a few days or worsen instead of improving with home treatment. You may need prescription medications.
Watch for any delayed skin reaction, which could indicate venom allergy. Future stings may cause more severe allergic effects. Allergy testing can confirm this.

When to Call a Professional Exterminator for Ground Wasps

While do-it-yourself control methods can work for a few ground wasp nests, larger infestations often require professional pest control. Contact a licensed exterminator if:

You find 10 or more active nest holes throughout your property.
Nests are located in hard-to-access areas like under patios, deep in rock beds, or within home structures where DIY treatment is difficult.
You are allergic to stings or otherwise unable to safely treat nests yourself.
Nest entrances reappear in the same areas after removing them yourself.
Multiple people have been stung on your property.
Nests pose risks for pets, children, or high-traffic areas like doorways.
You do not have the right supplies, equipment, or experience for safe control.

Licensed exterminators have specialized tools, insecticides, and knowledge to effectively eliminate ground wasp infestations while minimizing risks to people, pets, and landscaping. Their expertise and training allows them to pinpoint nest locations and treat difficult-to-access areas. They know how to prevent future recolonization. While professional services come with a cost, they are often the best solution for severe or recurring ground wasp problems.

FAQs About Controlling Ground Wasps

How do I know if I have ground wasps?

Look for solitary black and yellow wasps flying in and out of small holes in the ground, about 1/2 inch wide. Unlike yellowjackets, ground wasps have a thin waist and smoky wings. They create individual nests rather than large shared hives. Holes are often surrounded by mounds of dug soil.

What attracts ground wasps?

Ground wasps seek out areas of bare sandy soil and existing holes or cavities to build nests for breeding and shelter. They are also attracted to food and water sources like flower nectar, gardens, compost, fruit trees, bird baths or pet dishes. Reduce these attractants.

What time of day are ground wasps most active?

Ground wasp activity peaks during the warmer daylight hours. They rest at night and are less active on cloudy/cooler days. Treat or observe nests at dawn/dusk when most wasps will be inside but not in a fully dormant state.

Are ground wasp nests reusable?

In most cases, ground wasps do not reuse the same nests after the lifecycle ends in fall. Females build new nests each spring. However, other ground-nesting wasps may move in to old burrows. Sealing holes or removing nests discourages this.

How long do ground wasps live?

The adult female ground wasp has a lifespan of approximately 45-60 days in summer. Male ground wasps are shorter-lived, around 25 days, as they do not construct or provision nests. Larval stages in the nest depend on species but range from 3-4 weeks up to one year before emerging.

How many ground wasps are in a nest?

Nests contain up to around 25 wasps at peak capacity, depending on species. There is only one female wasp per nest. She constructs the burrow alone and provisions it with paralyzed insects or spiders to feed her offspring. Ground wasps do not form large communal hives like yellowjackets.

How do I treat a ground wasp sting?

Scrape out the stinger, wash the area, and apply ice for swelling. Over-the-counter products like lidocaine spray or antihistamine tablets can help reduce pain, itching, and other symptoms. See a doctor for multiple stings or any signs of severe reaction like breathing issues.

Will ground wasps attack me?

Ground wasps are not aggressive and only sting when threatened or accidentally disturbed. Be cautious working around nests, avoid swatting at them, and do not intentionally provoke them. Remain calm and move slowly if one flies nearby and it will likely leave you alone.

How can I prevent ground wasp nests on my property?

Eliminate standing water, fill in holes/ruts in the ground, apply nest-repelling mint oil sprays, use landscape fabric as a barrier, maintain thick vegetation cover, and reduce bare sandy soil areas. Check for and treat early nesting activity in the spring.

Conclusion

Ground wasps can be annoying and painful, but with proper identification and control measures, you can safely rid your yard of them. Locate all nests and use methods like insecticide dusts, boiling water, or dry ice to destroy them. Prevent future colonies by modifying landscaping and maintaining thick ground cover. Call pest control experts if you have a severe infestation or difficult nests to remove. Avoid swatting at ground wasps, remain calm, and back away slowly if they fly near you to prevent stings. With some diligence, you can enjoy your yard again free of ground wasps.

How to Get Rid of Ground Wasps