Why do wasp nests keep coming back?

If you’ve dealt with wasp nests in your home or yard, you may have noticed that they often reappear in the same locations year after year. This can be frustrating as you work to keep your property free of these pesky insects. But why exactly do wasp nests continue to return to the same spots?

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Wasp Nest Locations

There are a few key factors that lead wasps to construct their nests in the same places repeatedly:

Familiarity – Wasps have small territories and complex memories. If they nested successfully in a location before, they remember it and return.
Shelter – Wasps look for protected areas out of direct sun, rain, and wind. Undisturbed eaves, cavities, and overhangs fit the bill year after year.
Building Materials – Nests are made of saliva and wood pulp. Nearby wooded areas ensure a steady supply of materials.

Foundations – Some nesting sites may have remnants of old nests still intact, attracting wasps back to the same spot to expand.

In general, wasps prefer building nests in areas that are hidden, dry, and close to wood sources. Once they find an ideal site, they are likely to return to it as long as conditions remain favorable.

The Wasp Life Cycle

Another reason wasp nests reappear is directly tied to the wasp life cycle. There are three main phases to the wasp life cycle:

Spring – Solitary phase: In spring, fertilized queen wasps wake up from hibernation and begin building small starter nests. They lay eggs and care for the first immature workers alone.
Summer – Social phase: Mature wasp colonies work cooperatively, expanding the nest, guarding it, and gathering food. Female workers build new cells for eggs laid by the queen.
Fall – Reproductive phase: In fall, the queen stops laying eggs and produces fertile males and new queens. After mating, new queens leave to hibernate while the rest of the colony dies off.

Only mated queens survive the winter by hibernating in protected spots. When spring arrives, they emerge to start the cycle again, often drawn back to previous nesting sites. Since individual queens can live for several years, they may reuse the same locations annually.

Advantages of Established Nest Sites

There are several key advantages to wasps returning to build nests in familiar places repeatedly:

Saved energy: Returning to an old site skips the effort needed to scout for new locations.

Known safety: Previous success means the site offers proven protection and materials.
Foraging efficiency: Familiarity with nearby food and water sources ensures easy access.
Genetic selection: Reusing sites may favor wasp offspring genetically predisposed to return to the same area.

By reusing advantageous nest locations, wasp queens improve their chances of sustaining future generations. This selective benefit is a major reason the behavior persists.

Deterrents to Break the Cycle

If you’re tired of wasps invading the same spots every year, there are steps you can take to deter them:

Inspect known nest sites in early spring and knock down any starter nests.

Seal cracks, fill holes, and repair overhangs that allow access.
Apply residual insecticide sprays made for wasps around common entry points.
Install screens or netting to block areas wasps frequent.

Remove food and water sources nearby like fallen fruit, compost, and bird baths.
Consider preventative wasp nest treatments by a professional exterminator.

Taking early action is key before large colonies become established. Deterrent efforts may need to be repeated for a few years to fully break the nesting cycle and change wasp behavior patterns.

When Professional Help is Needed

In some cases, wasp problems persist despite best efforts at prevention. It may be time to call in a professional exterminator if you notice:

Multiple nests appearing each year in hard to reach spots
Signs of large, mature nests like heavy traffic of wasps

Evidence of nests inside wall voids, attics, or other inaccessible areas
Aggressive behavior from wasps defending the nest
Family members who are allergic to wasp stings

Licensed exterminators have the proper protective gear, specialized tools, and insecticides to remove nests safely. They can also provide advice on permanent solutions specific to your property.

Preventing Stings and Health Risks

Wasp nests pose more than just a nuisance – they also present health risks from stings. Here are some tips to avoid stings when wasp nests are present:

Stay calm and move slowly if you encounter wasps outside.

Avoid swatting or crushing wasps. Quick movements trigger aggression.
Steer clear of known nest areas and keep children and pets away.
Wear thick clothing with bright colors if you must work near nests.

Never disturb or attempt to remove nests yourself.

Multiple stings can be extremely dangerous. Seek emergency care if you experience signs of allergic reaction including swelling, rash, trouble breathing, or dizziness.

Prevention Summary

To review, follow these best practices to deter wasps from rebuilding nests in unwanted areas:

Find and destroy early season starter nests.
Seal off access holes, cracks, and crevices.
Use residual insecticide sprays at common entry points.

Install physical barriers like screens.
Remove outdoor food and water sources.
Hire a professional exterminator if needed.

Avoid disturbing established nests.
Closely monitor areas year-round to detect renewed activity.

With diligence and patience, you can break the cycle of returning wasp nests. Pay special attention in spring and early summer when founding queens emerge. Targeting them first before nests expand gives you the upper hand. Stopping wasps at the source now means fewer stings and headaches later.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I permanently get rid of wasp nests?

There are a few options for getting rid of wasp nests permanently:

Insecticide sprays – Apply residual sprays made specifically for wasps in and around common nest sites early in spring before wasps return.
Pest control – Hire a licensed exterminator to locate and remove difficult to reach nests and apply professional-grade treatments.

Nest removal – Physically knock down accessible nests in early spring or late fall when wasps are dormant. Be sure to wear protective gear.
Prevention – Seal cracks and holes to deny entry, install screens, and modify landscaping to make areas less attractive to wasps.

Consistency is key – it may take multiple years of vigilant prevention to permanently stop wasps from returning and rebuilding nests in the same locations.

What time of year do wasps build nests?

The wasp nesting cycle aligns with their life stages:

Spring – Solitary queen wasps emerge from hibernation and begin building starter nests to lay their first eggs.
Summer – The colony expands the nest to maximum size and produces more wasps.

Fall – Wasps stop building the nest and focus on producing new queens and males to overwinter.
Winter – The old nest dies out while mated new queens enter hibernation. The cycle repeats next spring.

So the peak nest building period is late spring through mid summer. But prevention should start in early spring before queens get established and continue into fall when they are looking to hibernate near nest sites.

How do you get rid of a wasp nest without insecticide?

Some non-insecticide options for removing wasp nests include:

Soapy water – Spray soapy water or a mild detergent directly into the nest opening. This coats the wasps and disrupts their breathing.
Gas treatment – Insert aerosol computer duster spray or a commercial wasp freeze product into the nest to kill wasps with gas.

Nest removal – Physically knock down accessible nests by hand or with a long pole. Do this at night when wasps are dormant.
Trap out – Place a one-way exit cone over the nest opening and let wasps leave but not return. The colony will abandon the nest.

For larger infestations, contact a pest control professional to apply non-chemical methods like powered vacuums to suck up wasps or thermal treatments to overheat the nest.

What scent do wasps hate?

Wasps have a strong aversion to certain natural scents. Some smells that deter wasps include:

Citrus – Orange, lemon, grapefruit, lime, and other citrus scents repel wasps.
Clove – Whole or ground cloves contain a chemical wasps avoid.

Peppermint – The minty aroma of peppermint oil drives wasps away.
Cedar – Fresh cedar mulch or planks emit a strong scent that wasps dislike.
Garlic – The pungent odor of garlic repels wasps.

Use these scents strategically by planting citrus trees or mint near nesting sites, placing cedar mulch barriers, or distributing cotton balls soaked in essential oils around your property.

Conclusion

Wasp nests often persistently return to previous locations due to familiarity, ideal shelter, and the wasp life cycle. Breaking this pattern takes diligence but is definitely possible. Early spring prevention, exclusion tactics, removing food and water sources, and professional control when needed can permanently evict wasps from your property for good.