How Much Does A Wasp Exterminator Cost?
Do you need to get rid of wasps in your home? Here’s how much wasp extermination is going to cost. Wasps are essential for the environment. They feed on parasites and other insects that may harm plants and crops in your garden. However, they can be annoying and very dangerous. You should consider wasp removal when the nest is near your house, children’s play areas, air conditioning units or anywhere that wasps could harm people and pets. If the nest is out of reach, contact your local pest control service provider for removal options.
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Wasps can be a danger to people, especially if there are any allergies involved. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 1,109 deaths from hornets, wasps and bee stings from 2000 to 2017. Accordingly, though it can be cheaper to go the DIY route, it can be safer and more reliable to hire an expert take care of a wasp nest. The cost of wasp extermination varies depending on the type of wasp, size of the infestation, location of the nest and the extent of any repair work that needs to be done afterward.
Cost of a Wasp Exterminator | ||
---|---|---|
National Average Cost | $390 | |
Average Range | $325 - $450 | |
Minimum Cost | $160 | |
Maximum Cost | $750 |
Factors That Influence Wasp Exterminator Costs
Wasp extermination costs vary depending on the infestation size, nest location and removal method. The cost also includes any chemicals needed, equipment and protective gear. You may also be required to cover professional inspection fees, though this depends on the generosity of who you hire.
Size of the Infestation
The total cost you will pay for wasp extermination will increase or decrease depending on the size of the infestation. It will cost less to remove a small hive of 10 to 50 worker wasps than giant hives. This is because larger ones are more difficult and time-consuming to remove. Also, a smaller number of wasps will have done less damage to your home with minimal infiltration to the woodwork on the exterior of your deck and garage, and they are less likely to return.
Treatment Type
After an exterminator conducts an inspection, they will determine the best treatment. This may differ based on the kind of wasp: yellow jackets, hornets, paper wasps or mud daubers.
Wasp removal is similar to the removal of bees, but since wasps are more aggressive, expect to pay an average of $400 for their removal. There are three main treatment types for wasps: aerosols, dusting and vacuuming.
Aerosols are best for hanging nests, however some of the chemicals they contain, such as tetramethrin and prallethrin, may be harmful to your health if not administered correctly. For large removals, you may want to spend the day or night out until the air is clear.
Greener options include creating homemade traps and spraying the nest and wasps with soap and water (dish soap will stop their ability to breathe).
Dusting may be ideal for in-ground nests. Vacuuming is the best solution for wasps that have gotten into nooks and crannies. Professional exterminators may use special vacuums to fit into the small openings.
And, of course, the nest must be destroyed.
Wasp extermination method | Cost |
---|---|
Aerosol | $125 |
Dusting | $200 |
Vacuuming | $250 |
Types of Wasps
There are various wasps, and exterminators may charge you depending on the type they find on your property. If the wasp variety poses a more severe threat, extra precautions must be taken.
- Mud dauber wasps: This variety has a skinny, sinewy shape, with a black body and metallic sheen. The name originates from the way their nest has long mud tubes. Mud daubers build their nests in sheds, barns, attics and porch ceilings.
- Red wasps: This type of wasp measures about an inch long and has a red bodys with black wings. The nests have an umbrella shape with a honeycomb structure.
- Paper wasps: These wasps have brown bodies with yellow or red markings. They are not necessarily aggressive. Because of their docile nature, it can be easy to remove them by yourself or choose to let them be. Their nests are constructed from paper and have an umbrella-like shape.
- Hornets: Despite the name, hornets are wasps that are about one inch in length withe a pale tan face and yellow and black lower body. They conceal their nests in hollow trees, barns and attics. These wasps tend to be aggressive when their nest is nearby.
- Bald-faced hornets: This variety has a distinct black and white body, almost an inch long. They construct their nests from wood pulp. These nests are typically large and built near the top of tree canopies.
- Yellowjackets: These wasps pose the highest safety risk. They tend to hide their hives underneath the ground, making their nest hard to reach. These wasps are typically aggressive and will attack unprovoked. To avoid harm, leave wasp extermination to the pross.
Average Cost of Wasp Removal Per Type
Type of Wasp | Removal Costs |
---|---|
Mud Dauber | $300 |
Red Wasp | $325 |
Paper Wasp | $400 |
Hornet | $450 |
Bald Faced Hornet | $625 |
Yellow Jacket | $700 |
Treatment Duration
Typically, a wasp treatment only requires a one-time pest control visit, though you may want to schedule follow-up visits to ensure that the wasps don’t come back. However, if the wasp infestation is severe, it may take multiple follow-up treatments, affecting the overall cost. An initial visit usually costs an average of $150 to $300. Monthly or semi-monthly visits can cost$40 to $70, depending on how extensive the treatment is.
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Location of the Nest
While some wasps may opt to build their nests on a tree or the side of a house, others make them inside the attic, walls, or underground. The easier it is to reach the nest, the lower the fees for exterminators. If the nest is in a hard-to-reach location, like the HVAC unit or wall, it will cost more to remove. $325 to $450 is normal for removal from an attic, $350 to $875 from a wall, and $475 to $600 from the chimney.
The cost of repairs could be in the thousands if large wasp nests have gathered inside the walls or other hard-to-reach areas.
Repairs
Wasps can cause damage to your beams or walls. After wasp removal, you should prepare to repair damage to your home. The cost of repair at $500 to $1,400 when wasps build inside walls. As much as professional wasp exterminators will try to keep the damage at a minimum, you may need to call in a carpenter to repair the finer details.
Cost to Remove a Wasp Nest Yourself
If you have experience with pest removal, you could try a DIY approach to save money on smaller nests, but be sure to properly identify the wasp to know what risk it poses. Wear protective clothing, such as a bee suit, which may cost $50 to $200. Be sure to protect yourself and others, and keep the number of a professional nearby—in case you need a more thorough approach.
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When to Call a Professional Wasp Exterminator
If all of your at-home wasp treatments haven’t rectified the problem or the problem is too severe to handle on your own, it is highly recommended that you call in a professional wasp exterminator. Calling a professional wasp exterminator is an excellent way to eliminate the problem the first time. Not to mention, a pest control company has the training, insecticides and equipment to do the job safely and efficiently. Also, so you don’t get stung in the process.
How to Prevent Wasps
Seal all cracks and crevices to your home. Remove potential food sources, especially sugary or sweet items. Avoid swatting or squashing wasps, since they release a pheromone that attracts other wasps. Minimize perfume and other sweet scents, especially later in the summer. Lastly, use wasp traps to deter them from coming back.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What kills wasps instantly?
Like many pests, the correct insecticides formulated explicitly for wasps are what will do the trick to eliminate them. The pesticides typically come in cans designed to spray at a long distance, creating enough distance between you and the wasp nest.
Where do wasps nest?
Each wasp has a different nesting pattern. For example, yellowjackets nest underground, and paper wasps nest in trees or building eaves.
Can wasps damage your house?
Certain types of wasps make their nests from wood pulp. These nests can harm structural elements of your house, such as beams, walls or flooring. If wasps build their home inside your walls, an exterminator may have to create holes or cut into the wall to remove them.
How many wasps are in a nest?
This largely depends on the type of nest and the size of the nest. Typically, nests hold between 1,000 to 10,000 wasps.
Will wasps return to a sprayed nest?
Once a wasp nest is sprayed, typically, the insecticides will continue to kill them. However, some species of wasps will “adopt” old nests, so it is best to dispose of the nest once it’s rid of wasps.
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