How to Keep Wasp and Hornet Nests Out of Your Gutters
When the weather warms up, so do your gutters – so be on the lookout for pests that can infest your gutter system! Whether they fly, slither or crawl, they are all looking for new places to call home. However, there is one family of bugs that pose more of a threat to your family’s safety than others: bees, wasps and hornets. We have created an outline of ways to keep hornet and wasp nests out of your gutters.
When Do Bees, Wasps and Hornets Nest?
In the eastern United States, the queens establish their new homes by the month of June. If you are noticing more of a “buzz” around your home than usual, these critters may be seeking residence under your gutter system.
Environments for Invite Bees, Wasps and Hornets
Bees, wasps and hornets often look for damp or moist areas to nest, as water allows members of their colonies to hunt other insects. Be sure to do a perimeter check near your gutters and other areas of your home that contain standing water before you and your family start spending weekends outside.
Have the gutter system of your house inspected, examine the area around your foundation and check under your deck as these areas are most common for water collection. If you come across bees, wasps or hornets hanging around a certain area of the house, you can be sure a nest is nearby.
Read More: Are Squirrels Living In Your Gutters? Signs and Ways to Respond
Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Removal of Bees, Wasps & Hornets
If you find one of the homes of these pesky bugs, here are our best tips on safely removing them from your home:
- Purchase a pesticide that is nontoxic to humans
- We suggest herbicides like Roundup and 2,4-D
- Spray the nest at dawn or dusk when bees, wasps and hornets are inactive
- Repeat the spraying processes over three to four days or until you are certain all the insects are gone
- Once you are sure the wasps and bees are gone, you can remove the nest with a broom if it is too high to reach
- If you choose to remove the nest yourself, be sure to always use gloves and protective glasses and take every precaution against pesticides and against falling
- We recommend calling in a professional and avoiding climbing a ladder yourself
How a Professional Can Help with Bees, Wasps and Hornets in Your Gutters
Even if bees, wasps or hornets have not found a home there are a few things you can do to prevent a nest from forming this summer. Keep all foliage from touching or leaning against your house. This is especially true of gutters that have any low-hanging trees around them or gutters that are full of debris.
Make sure that there is no water damage around the roofline of your home. If there is, this is a sign that your gutters may need to be repaired. Remember that the best way to deal with bees, wasps and hornets is prevention. Pests love damp places.
Reputable Gutter Cleaning and Repair Services
Your first line of defense is making sure your gutter system is in working order and that water is flowing away from your home. Our team of technicians offer reputable gutter cleaning services in Durham, NC and other areas and are committed to keeping bees or wasps out of your gutters. Have you had your gutters inspected lately? Book an appointment to receive assistance with clogged gutters on your property.