Wasp and Hornet Nest Removal in Downers Grove, IL

Wasps and Hornets We See Around Downers Grove

Paper wasps. Slim, brown or reddish wasps with long legs. Their nest looks like a small umbrella with open cells, often under eaves, porch ceilings, deck rails, shutters and light fixtures. They sting when their nest is disturbed.

Bald faced hornets. Black and white, larger than wasps. They build gray, papery nests shaped like a teardrop or football, often hanging in trees and shrubs or attached to eaves and sheds. These nests can get as big as a basketball and hold hundreds of hornets. They are very protective.

Mud daubers. Slim, dark wasps that build small mud tubes on walls, garages and under eaves. They are usually not aggressive, but the nests can be a nuisance.

Digging nests in the ground, usually from yellow jackets, are covered on our Yellow Jacket Control page. Carpenter bees, which drill into wood, have their own page: Carpenter Bee Control.

Why You Should Not Remove a Nest Yourself

• Disturbed wasps and hornets attack in groups, and they can sting more than once
• Nests are often high up, on ladders or roof edges, which is dangerous
• A missed nest or a partial removal can leave angry insects behind
• Some people are allergic to stings, and a serious reaction can happen fast

Call 911 right away if someone who was stung has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a fast heartbeat.

When Nests Grow

Wasp and hornet nests start small in spring, when a single queen builds a nest and lays eggs. Workers hatch and the colony grows through summer. By late summer and early fall, the colony is at its largest and most defensive.

That is why early removal is easier, and also why calling as soon as you see a nest is better than waiting. Only the new queens survive winter, and old nests are not reused.

How We Remove Wasp and Hornet Nests

1. Inspection. We find the nest and identify what type it is. We also check nearby areas for other nests.

2. Safe treatment. We treat the nest from a safe distance using products made for stinging insects. The right time of day matters, and we usually treat when most of the insects are inside.

3. Nest removal. Once the nest is treated, we remove it where we can safely reach.

4. Prevent rebuilding. We treat the surrounding area so wasps are less likely to build there again.

5. Advice. We show you the spots around the home where nests often start, so you can watch for them.

Wasps that were out of the nest during treatment may return for a day or so. This is normal and they will die off.

Where Nests Start Around Homes

• Under eaves, soffits and roof edges
• Porch ceilings, deck undersides and railings
• Around door frames, shutters and window frames
• Garages, sheds and playsets
• Outdoor lights, grills and patio furniture
• Trees and shrubs close to the house
• Attic vents, gable vents and the gaps in siding

Many Downers Grove homes have two stories and large roof overhangs, which gives wasps sheltered spots that are hard to reach without a tall ladder.

How to Lower Your Risk

• Check eaves, porches and sheds every week or two in spring, when nests are still small
• Seal gaps in siding, soffits and vents
• Keep trash cans covered and outdoor food and sweet drinks put away
• Trim shrubs and branches near the house
• Do not leave old nests up, since they can attract new queens to the same spot

Wasp and Hornet Nest Removal Across Downers Grove

We remove nests in homes and businesses throughout Downers Grove, including ZIP codes 60515 and 60516, and in nearby towns such as Lisle, Woodridge, Westmont and Darien. If you are close by, call us anyway.