How Much Does Wasp Nest Removal Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $300 - $700
Depending on the type of wasp, wasp nest removal can range from $100 and $1,300. Other cost factors include the size and location of the nest; most homeowners will end up paying around $525.
Wasp nest removal costs about $525 on average, with most homeowners spending between $300 and $700.
Removal of a small nest can cost as low as $100, while larger nests can cost up to $1,300 to remove. For severe infestations, monthly visits may be necessary for around $40 to $70 per visit, with the initial visit typically costing between $150 and $300. Prices vary depending on the size, location, and type of wasp.
- Average
- $525
- Low end
- $100
- high end
- $1,300
Wasp Extermination Cost Factors
Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for wasp removal at your home.
| Type of Service | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Wasp nest removal | $100–$1,300 |
| Initial exterminator visit | $150–$300 |
| Monthly treatments | $40–$70 |
| Yellowjacket removal | $500–$750 |
| Hornet removal | $300–$400 |
| Paper wasp removal | $100–$200 |
| Mud dauber removal | $300–$400 |
| Red wasp removal | $310–$400 |
| Bald-faced hornet removal | $625–$750 |
Besides the size of the infestation, you’ll need to consider factors such as the nest’s location, repairs needed, and the company you call to get the job done.
Size of Nest
While one or two wasps may seem scary, dealing with a hive with hundreds of workers can be even worse. The larger the hive, the more difficult and time-consuming removal and cleanup will be.
For small hives of around 10 to 50 worker wasps, you’re looking at spending around $250 for extermination on average. Medium hives with 50 to a couple hundred wasps will be in the $500 range. Large nests can cost up to $1,000—or more.
Location
While most people associate our buzzing neighbors with hanging from a tree or off the side of the house, not all wasps or hornets prefer to make their homes here. Some build inside your attic, in the walls, and even underground. If this happens to you, the local wasp removal company you hire will likely need to cut into different parts of the home, which could lead to additional repair costs.
| Location | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Walls | $250–$800 |
| Attic | $300–$500 |
| Chimney | $400–$600 |
| Trees | $200–$600 |
Removal Method
From sprays to full-on nest removal, you can choose between a few wasp extermination methods.
| Wasp Extermination Method | Minimum Cost |
|---|---|
| Aerosol | $125–$150+ |
| Dusting | $200+ |
| Vacuuming | $250+ |
Aerosol
The average wasp nest removal cost via aerosol starts at $125 for traditional chemicals or $150 for natural plant-based pesticides such as pyrethrin. This is a relatively economical choice for removing hanging wasp nests, such as those with paper wasps and bald-faced hornets. Costs vary based on species, location, and the extent of the infestation.
Dusting
The minimum cost to dust a wasp nest starts at $200. This technique targets wasps that build underground nests, such as yellow jackets and certain hornet species. The process involves introducing a powdered pesticide, such as permethrin, into the nest entrance. The powder then adheres to the initial group of wasps inside, who subsequently spread it deeper into the nest, effectively coating and quickly exterminating all the remaining wasps.
Vacuuming
With prices beginning at $250, vacuuming is the ideal approach for eliminating wasps infiltrating your home. In some cases, the wasps may have established nests within the walls or built their nests hanging from the attic or the house's exterior.
Extermination
Wasps are commonly exterminated because they’re aggressive, the hive has grown too large to remove, or they’re causing damage to the home. But extermination is arguably the quickest method for exterminators, so you should expect to pay around $350 on average.
Number of Visits
For severe wasp infestations, multiple visits may be necessary, with costs ranging between $200 to $600 per visit. Check out how much to budget for multiple visits from a wasp exterminator.
| Number of Treatments | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $200–$600 |
| 2 | $400–$1,200 |
| 3 | $600–$1,800 |
| 4 | $800–$2,400 |
| 5 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| 6 | $1,200–$3,600 |
| 7 | $1,400–$4,200 |
| 8 | $1,600–$4,800 |
| 9 | $1,800–$5,400 |
| 10 | $2,000–$6,000 |
Type of Wasp
Not all wasps are the same. The three most common types of wasps include yellowjackets, hornets, and paper wasps, each with their preferred method of building their nests.
| Wasp Removal Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowjackets | Hides hives underground, aggressive, moderate-sized nest | $500–$750 |
| Hornets | Nest is football-shaped and hangs from a tree branch or other vertical surface; not aggressive away from nest but can be when the nest is nearby | $300–$400 |
| Paper Wasps | Not aggressive, docile nature; nest is papery and umbrella-shaped, with a single comb of cells | $100–$200 |
| Mud Dauber | Nests are made of mud and are often tube-shaped; not aggressive but tend to construct nests in human-frequented areas | $300–$400 |
| Red Wasps | Don’t sting unprovoked; nest is umbrella-shaped and attached to a structure by a single strand | $310–$400 |
| Bald-faced Hornets | Nest is typically gray or brown and football-shaped; hangs from a tree branch or other vertical surface | $625–$750 |
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets pose the highest risk to safety and do their best to hide their hives underneath the ground. They’re typically aggressive and will attack even if unprovoked. Because of their hard-to-reach nests, large population, and risk of being stung and attacked, the cost of yellowjacket removal for a moderate-sized nest is around $500 to $750.
If you’re dealing with a yellowjacket infestation, leave the removal or wasp extermination process to the pros. This avoids unnecessary risk to yourself in the form of the insects and the chemicals needed to eliminate them.
Hornets
Hornets are not necessarily aggressive when away from the nest but tend to be when the nest is nearby. The sting of a hornet tends to be a little more painful because of the size of its stinger. For hornet removal, expect to pay around $300 to $400 on average.
Paper Wasps
Paper wasps are typically the only wasps you’ll want to deal with on your own. These types of wasps are not necessarily aggressive and don’t tend to attack, even when near the nest.
Because of their docile nature, removing paper wasps only costs around $100 to $200 on average. You can also choose to leave them be.
Mud Dauber
Mud dauber wasp nest removal costs an average of $300 to $400. Although mud daubers aren’t particularly aggressive, they will protect their nests when necessary. The main issue with these types of wasps is that they tend to construct their mud tube nests in attics, playhouse roofs, sheds, and places that humans regularly frequent. An innocent passerby can easily be mistaken for a threat, posing a serious hazard.
Red Wasp
The removal cost for red wasp nests is usually around $310 to $400. Red wasp nests are umbrella-like structures resembling a honeycomb and affixed to a structure by a single strand. These reddish-colored wasps generally don’t sting unprovoked, but they will still protect their nests, so removal may be necessary for high-traffic areas.
Bald-Faced Hornet
Bald-faced hornet nests are costlier to remove, averaging about $625 to $750. This is mainly due to the extra labor and risk involved, as nests are typically found elevated within tree canopies. With that in mind, extermination isn’t always necessary if the nest is far enough away. Hornet stings are some of the most painful, so it’s worth considering if there is a risk to children and pets.
Local vs. National Company
Before starting the removal process, you’ll need a pest control company near you to come out and check a few things. These items include the extent of the infestation, where the wasps are coming from in the home, and any damage you may incur from removing them.
National chains often inspect for free but tend to cost more for the removal process than local companies. Contacting a pest control company near you is the first step to getting a personalized quote.
Wasp Removal Cost
Removing wasps is similar to removing bees. However, wasp removal tends to pose a more significant risk and result in more aggressive attacks, so expect to pay around $400 for wasp removal.
Wasp Damage Repair Costs
Wasps can cause damage to your home, which could mean repairing beams in the attic, fixing a hole in the wall, or resodding the area where pros dug up the nest. Repairs can range from $300 to $1,000, depending on the type of repair.
Roof repair costs: $390–$1,880
Ceiling repair costs: $150–$4,420
Siding repair costs: $360–$1,450
Window repair costs: $177 to $634
Door repair costs: $50–$700
DIY Wasp Nest Removal
You should only tackle wasp removal yourself if you know what you’re doing, and even then, there is always a risk you’ll get stung. If you’re dealing with a small nest, this may be a project you can handle yourself, so long as you’re not allergic and don’t mind the possibility of being stung. You can opt to use insecticides to deter them from coming back. You’ll also want to follow a few tips for safely removing a wasp nest.
For chemicals, expect to pay around $12 on average for a spray and $15 for dust. The spray is the direct insecticide you’ll use on the nest and surrounding areas. The dust is used for entry points to prevent insects from entering or leaving. You may also need protective clothing if the hive is big enough, costing around $100 extra.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
You’ll want to call the pros to help you out, especially If you have an allergy to wasps or are unsure if you’re seeing wasps or bees. Bees are a vital part of the environment, and accidentally messing up a hive can negatively impact the environment around you. Plus, wasp removal can be dangerous and painful, especially if you’re not sure what you’re doing.
How to Save on Wasp Nest Removal
Wasp nest removal can be expensive, but there a few ways to keep costs as low as possible:
Get quotes from multiple pest control companies to find the best price.
Consider DIY methods, such as decoy nests and repellents like peppermint oil and geranium oil.
Keep your property well-maintained and free of debris, which can attract wasps.
If you are having trouble with other pests around your home, ask your exterminator about bundling services to save on costs.
To save on potential costs for removal in the future, consider applying preventative treatments that can deter wasps from building nests around your home.
If the wasp nest isn’t posing an immediate threat to the animals and humans around your home, consider letting it be.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
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Frequently Asked Questions
You can prevent wasps from returning by having follow-up visits with your local exterminator. If you don’t want to harm more wasps, consider adding a fake nest to a tree or the house. These nests deter wasps from building around your home.
You can also repel them using natural substances like vinegar, coffee grounds, and cinnamon. Wasps also dislike the smell of certain plants, including eucalyptus, peppermint, basil, and lemongrass—just plant them in your garden or pots by your doors.
Wasp removal is challenging for pros and novices and carries the risk of painful stings. Therefore, it’s not surprising that wasp removal is not free. You can save money by going the DIY route, but paying a professional exterminator increases the chance of effective removal—and keeps you from painful wasp stings.
If you spot a wasp nest on your property, call a professional exterminator as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to call a pro to remove the wasps, the more you risk a painful sting. The concern is elevated if you or any family members are allergic to wasps or bees—the sooner you remove the threat, the better.
If a small hive is far enough from your home and doesn’t seem to pose a threat to the health of anyone, then you can opt to leave them alone. They are still pollinators; if you have a garden, they’ll tackle some gardening work for you and produce helpful results without harming you.
Though it might look like the same wasps keep returning to your home year after year, most wasps do not return to the same nesting site. Instead, it’s far more likely that your home is attractive to wasps, encouraging different wasps to nest there come nesting season. Consider taking steps to prevent wasps to prevent a new group from coming next year.