Who to Call to Get Rid of a Hornet’s Nest: A Complete Guide

Stay far away from a hornet’s nest until the pros arrive

Specialist is removing hornet nest from a house
Photo: ll911 / Adobe Stock
Specialist is removing hornet nest from a house
Photo: ll911 / Adobe Stock
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Stirring up a hornet’s nest is dangerous business, and when there’s one too close for comfort on your property, it’s helpful to know who to call to get rid of a hornet’s nest. 

It's best to reach out to a licensed professional who specializes in bee and wasp removal. Use this bee and wasp specialist hiring guide to help you find the right pro to remove a hornet’s nest safely. 

Benefits of Hiring a Bee and Wasp Removal Pro to Get Rid of a Hornet’s Nest

While hornets and other wasps are important pollinators like their more mild-mannered bee relatives, if their nest interferes with your home’s foot traffic path or living space, it can pose a very real hazard. Treating a nest can be tricky, as it is often challenging to kill all of the insects inside. Surviving wasps may repair and rebuild, leaving you with the same predicament. 

Hiring a local bee and wasp removal specialist ensures you’re receiving a specialized approach to getting rid of a hornet’s nest rather than a one-and-done treatment that may not completely eradicate the colony. These pest removal pros have the right tools, protective gear, treatments, and procedures to destroy a hornet’s nest for good.

Can I DIY Hornet Nest Removal?

Closeup of a hornet's nest with visible wasps
Photo: Andrey Znamenskyi / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Whether it’s hornets, yellowjackets, or any other type of wasp, learning how to remove wasp nests on your own is extremely risky. Hornets and other types of wasps can be dangerous and aggressive, particularly when they’re protecting a nest. To safely eradicate a nest, you’ll need to act quickly and treat the nest using pesticides, insecticidal dust, or even a 1:4 mixture of dish soap and water. However, DIYing is not recommended as there could be wasps outside the nest that can attack or sting you in the process.

It’s also important to note that bee and wasp stings are a common allergen that can cause a serious or even fatal reaction in some individuals. If you’re allergic, or if you’ve never been stung before and aren’t sure, then it’s especially important to reach out to a wasp removal pro rather than attempting the DIY method.

Can I Hire a Professional Exterminator for Hornet Nest Removal?

In some cases, a general pest control professional may be a viable alternative for hornet nest removal. However, it’s essential that they have in-depth knowledge of what wasps are, how to differentiate between them, and—most importantly—how to safely and effectively evict them for good. Be sure to verify that your pest control specialist is properly licensed and experienced in removing hornet nests before you hire them. You should also get multiple quotes from wasp removal specialists to find the best deal and talk through your removal options. 

How Do Bee and Wasp Removal Pros Remove a Hornet’s Nest?

When you hire a bee and wasp removal specialist, they will use extreme caution to remove the hazardous nest from your property.

  • Pros will begin by assessing the nest and the surrounding area to determine the best course of action. They may measure the nest or look for signs of the queen inside.

  • They may apply pesticides in the form of aerosols, liquids, or dust to kill the nest and its contents.

  • Once the hornets have been eliminated, they will remove the nest completely. 

  • In certain cases, they may choose to relocate hornet nests to help preserve the population. Either way, you and your property will no longer be the host.

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of removing a hornets nest ranges from $300 to $400, depending on the size and location of the active nest. Bald-faced hornet removal costs more than the average—about $625 to $750. The price tag also depends on the eradication method, ranging from aerosol sprays and dusting to vacuuming and extermination.

You should hire a wasp or hornet removal professional to get rid of an active or dormant hornet nest. Due to the feisty and dangerous nature of these pests, it’s best to hire a professional who has the proper skills, tools, and experience to remove a nest safely. Do not attempt to remove an active hornet nest on your own.

The best way to get rid of a hornets nest is to hire a wasp or hornet removal professional who can remove it safely and effectively. Homeowners should not attempt to remove an active hornets nest on their own due to the very high risk of being stung many times.

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