To most people, wasps are the biggest insect nuisance there is. While they are useful for removing insects from your garden, they can be a hindrance when they set up their nests right outside your front door. The following pest control guide offers advice for dealing with this problem.

Do:

Remove food sources.

When choosing nest sites, wasps will pick locations that offer easy access to food. In the spring, their cravings tend to be for protein-based foods—while towards fall, they want more sugary items. Pest control best practices are to avoid leaving food and drinks outside, keep your garbage covered, and pick up any fallen fruit around trees.

Repair home exterior damage.

In the winter, queens will look for shelter, and holes and cracks in your home provide them with the perfect spot to safely ride out the season. However, this isn't the only way wasps invade homes. They'll also enter through gaps around windows and doors and seek out a dark, safe location inside the property, which could result in some unpleasant buzzing come spring. Therefore, make sure to invest in weather stripping and sealant and to repair any holes or gaps in frames that you see.

Don't:

Swat at them.

When a wasp is flying at you, you are much better off running away from the insect than swatting at it. Not only will this maneuver anger the wasp, but it's likely to kill it. If this happens, it will release a pheromone that will call to its nearby brethren. 

Remove a nest on your own.

It's dangerous to try and remove an active nest by yourself. Even with protective clothing, it can still result in a lot of stings if you don't understand wasp behavior and instincts. Pest control experts are trained to safely and effectively get rid of wasp nests no matter their location. They also arrive with safety equipment and products designed for the species in question. 

If wasps are trying to take over your home, turn to the professionals at All Service for effective pest control solutions. Since 2002, they have provided pest removal and home maintenance services to New Braunfels, Seguin, San Marcos, and many other Texas cities. Their experienced technicians use safe products on the interior and exterior of your home and guarantee the results of their one-time service calls for up to 30 days. Visit their website to learn more about their pest and termite control services. Call them today at (830) 626-2847 to schedule an appointment.