If you see wasps swarming near your gutters, there is a good chance that there is a nest inside your gutters or downspouts. Wasps seek out your house structures because they provide them with both shelter and food. Besides clogged rain gutters, these insects prefer to nest in tree branches, under eaves, and other sites where debris accumulates.
Before you and your family consider spending some quality time outdoors, conduct a perimeter check around your gutters to see if the wasps are swarming around and disappearing inside. Clogged rain gutters supply the moisture or dampness that wasps need because water enables members of their nests to hunt other insects.
Keep reading if you want to learn why your gutters have a wasp infestation and how to keep these insects out of your gutters.
Do Wasps Build A Nest And Live In A Rain Gutter?
Wasps are able to form their nests in various places inside and outside your house, and rain gutters are one of those places that can give them a safe and secure shelter. If you notice multiple wasps swarming around your gutters, you should inspect if there is any wasp infestation or nesting. They tend to nest in gutter corners or around the brackets.
If your rain gutters are blocked with trash and leaves, there may not be a continuous flow of water passing through that would repel the wasps. The wasps enjoy the moist environment because it allows them to search for water striders and other insects for sustenance.
However, they appear to prefer an uncovered system in which to build their hive. Thus, the only thing to keep them away is to cover your rain gutters. Covered gutters, on the other hand, frequently provide homeowners with a false sense of security. If you just want to avoid having to clean up your gutters on a regular basis, a covered gutter is a smart investment for your house. However, there could be activities going on in your gutters that you aren’t aware of. Hence, it’s critical that you keep your covered gutters clean.
If you fear wasps have made their way inside your rain gutters, it’s critical to locate and remove the nest as quickly as possible, as the colony’s enormous weight can cause serious gutter failure.
Why Are Wasps Attracted To Gutters?
In general, wasps will find your gutters appealing at any time of the year. As mentioned earlier, these pests prefer sheltered corners and voids for their nest construction. Thus, your gutters are ideal places for them to inhabit. However, many people never really see them during the summer and only notice them in the fall.
The wasps will climb up along the roof lines to where your gutters meet. The dwellings in these circumstances do not have nests as the wasps are only hunting and sleeping. If left unchecked, these dwellings could draw even more wasps over time, which leads to nesting inside your rain gutters.
To stop this behavior, you should take the steps necessary to prevent the new infestations in your gutters, as outlined below.
How To Prevent Wasp Infestation In Gutters?
Wasps are the most prevalent gutter invaders, as well as the most annoying. Even if they haven’t settled in your gutters yet, there are a few things you can do to stop them from establishing a nest.
1. Remove Nesting Possibilities
Removing the chances of nesting is one of the most effective strategies for keeping wasps at bay. Check for wasp entry points, install gutter protection to keep debris from gathering, and clean up locations where wasps can nest. Make sure that no greenery touches or rests against your house walls.
2. Use Wasp-Repelling Plants
Wasps have a keen sense of smell that they utilize to locate food. Thus, use the smells that they dislike, such as wormwood, marigold, mint, basil, pennyroyal, and geranium, to your benefit. Grow these plants near places where you enjoy relaxing in your yard, or in areas where wasps have previously nested.
3. Remove Any Wasp Attractants
Wasps are predatory insects that prefer sweet and meaty diets. By removing these food sources from your diet, you make yourself less appealing to wasps. Clear your property of ripe or rotting fruits and berries. If possible, keep garbage covered indoors to avoid drawing wasps into your house. Finally, make sure that no pet food is left in the bowl outside.
4. Get Rid Of A Wasp Nest
Lastly, purchase a non-toxic insecticide and spray the nest around in the evening, night or early morning, when the wasps are dormant. Make sure to continue spraying until all of the wasps are dead or gone. The nest can then be removed.
If you opt to remove the nest yourself, wear protective gloves and protective eyewear at all times.
However, it is recommended that you hire a professional to remove an active nest, rather than climbing a ladder yourself and risking being bitten.
Luckily, our Wildlife Troopers team is experienced in wasp nest removal. Call us today to discover how our pest extermination services can help to safely and efficiently remove wasps from your South Florida property.
