The safest way to remove a wasp nest in Tempe is to identify the wasp first, treat a small, low, open paper wasp nest at dusk from a distance with a labeled wasp spray, and call a professional for anything high, enclosed, in a wall, or as big as your fist or larger. If anyone in the house is allergic to stings, skip DIY entirely. Call us at (480) 422-8388 or read about our bee and wasp removal in Tempe and we will send a technician.
What Kind of Wasp Nest Do I Have?
Before you remove anything, work out what you are dealing with, because the right method depends on the nest. In the Tempe homes we visit, most nests fall into three groups, and one of them is not a wasp nest at all.
- Paper wasps: an open, umbrella-shaped comb with visible hexagonal cells, usually hanging from an eave, a patio rafter, a ceiling fan bracket or a block-wall cap. This is the most common nest we see.
- Mud daubers: small tubes or organ-pipe shapes of dried mud on walls and garage ceilings. They are not aggressive and rarely need treatment.
- Bees, not wasps: a hive inside a wall, meter box or tree with a steady stream of insects going in and out. Do not spray these. Bees need a different approach, and a hive that has been sprayed can leave honey and comb behind that attract new problems.
How Can I Tell a Wasp From a Bee?
Wasps are slim, smooth and shiny with a narrow waist and long legs that dangle in flight. Bees are rounder, fuzzier and stockier. If you cannot tell from a safe distance, take a photo with your phone zoom and text it to us. We would rather identify it for you than have you guess.
| Nest type | What it looks like | Where we find it in Tempe | DIY realistic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper wasp | Open comb, umbrella shape, gray-brown | Patio eaves, fascia boards, ramada rafters | Sometimes, if small and reachable from the ground |
| Mud dauber | Dried mud tubes | Garage ceilings, block walls, under patio covers | Yes, scrape off after the insects leave |
| Yellowjacket or hornet-type | Enclosed paper ball with one entrance | Wall voids, attic edges, shrubs | No, call a professional |
| Honey bee hive | Wax comb, heavy traffic at one hole | Walls, meter boxes, tree cavities | No, never spray |
How Do I Safely Remove a Small Paper Wasp Nest Myself?
If the nest is smaller than your palm, in the open, and reachable from the ground, many homeowners handle it themselves. Do it in the evening or just before sunrise, when the whole colony is on the nest and wasps are slow and calm. Midday heat in Tempe makes the colony active and defensive, and this is when most stings happen.
What Do I Need Before I Start?
- A wasp-and-hornet spray labeled for nests that shoots a stream of 10 to 20 feet
- Long sleeves, long pants, closed shoes, gloves and eye protection
- A flashlight with a red lens or cover, since wasps are less drawn to red light
- A clear exit path, with the door open behind you and pets and kids inside
What Are the Steps?
- Stand at the longest range the spray allows and aim at the nest opening, not the wasps in the air.
- Soak the nest for several seconds, then back away immediately. Do not stay to watch.
- Wait a full day, then check from a distance. If wasps still come and go, repeat the treatment that evening.
- Once it is quiet for 24 hours, knock the nest down with a long pole or scrape it off and bag it.
- Spray or wash the attachment spot so scent marks fade and a new queen is less likely to rebuild there.
Never use a ladder for a nest above your head. Most serious wasp injuries we hear about are falls, not stings.
When Should I Call a Professional Instead?
Call us when the nest is higher than you can reach safely from the ground, bigger than your hand, enclosed in a wall or soffit, in the ground, or when someone in your home has ever had a bad reaction to a sting. A wasp nest in an attic vent or block-wall void is also a job for a professional, because the wasps you see outside are only a fraction of the colony inside.
Here is how the two routes compare for a typical Tempe home.
| Situation | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Small open nest under a low patio eave | Reasonable with protective clothing and dusk timing | Fast and safe, one visit |
| Nest above a second-story window | Not recommended | Recommended |
| Nest inside a wall, soffit or attic vent | Not recommended | Required |
| Family member with sting allergy | Do not attempt | Required |
| Wasps returning after you treated | Stop and reassess | Recommended |
What Should I Do If I Get Stung?
Move away from the nest, wash the sting with soap and water, and apply a cold pack. Wasps can sting more than once, so leave the area fully. Call 911 right away for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, or hives spreading across the body. Multiple stings at once also deserve medical attention even without an allergy.
Why Are Wasps So Common in Tempe Yards?
Tempe has what wasps want: water, shelter and food. Around Tempe Town Lake and The Lakes (85282), irrigation, ponds and patio misters give paper wasps a reliable water source through the dry months. South Tempe (85284) has mature trees, block walls and covered patios that offer sheltered spots to build. Near the ASU campus area (85281), older rentals and shared patios often have eaves nobody checks for months, so a nest can grow all season before someone notices.
Papago Park and the Hayden Butte area (85281) bring desert plants and open rock that support a steady wasp population right next to neighborhoods. In Tempe Royal Palms (85283), older homes have more eaves, vents and gaps for queens to scout. None of this means you did something wrong. It means the first spring queen found a good spot.
When Is Wasp Season in Tempe?
Queens wake up as the weather warms and start small nests in spring. By midsummer a nest can hold a large colony, and activity often stays high into the fall as long as nights stay mild. We keep treating wasps well into October, so a late-season nest is still worth dealing with.
| Time of year | What is happening | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Early spring | Queens start small nests | Check eaves and knock down tiny nests early |
| Late spring to summer | Colony grows fast, workers defend aggressively | Treat at dusk, or call us for larger nests |
| Monsoon season | Humidity and storms push wasps into sheltered spots | Inspect patios, garages and attic vents |
| Fall | Colonies still active, last nests built | Treat and seal entry points before winter |
How Do I Keep Wasps From Coming Back?
Removing the nest is only half the job. Without prevention, a new queen often rebuilds in the same protected spot the next season. We walk the property with homeowners and suggest steps that work for Tempe lots.
- Check eaves, patio covers, ceiling fans and gas meter boxes every few weeks in spring and summer.
- Seal gaps in fascia, soffit vents and block-wall caps with screen or sealant.
- Fix dripping hose bibs and irrigation leaks that give wasps water.
- Keep trash and pet food covered, since wasps also scavenge protein.
- Have us treat the attachment spots after removal so the area is less attractive.
A wasp problem often shows up alongside other pests. Water features that draw wasps also bring mosquitoes, and we cover that in our guide to monsoon mosquitoes in Tempe. Rock and block-wall cavities that shelter wasps can also hold bark scorpions, which is why our Tempe scorpion prevention guide is worth a read.
What Do Our Technicians Do During a Wasp Visit?
When you call, we ask where the nest is, how big it is and whether anyone is allergic. A technician arrives in protective gear, confirms the species and treats the nest. We remove it when it is safe to do so and treat the attachment point. We do not sell you a bigger job than you have. A single paper wasp nest is a single visit, and if we find a hidden colony in a wall we will tell you exactly what that involves before we start.
If the wasps are only part of a broader problem, our pest control in Tempe page lists everything we handle, and the main Tempe service page shows all of our work in the city.
Do You Also Treat Wasps Near Tempe?
Yes. Tempe borders several cities we serve every day, and the wasp question comes up in all of them. Neighbors in the East Valley can read about bee and wasp removal in Mesa, bee and wasp removal in Chandler and bee and wasp removal in Gilbert. We also serve Ahwatukee and Scottsdale.
If you want to compare how nests behave in neighboring areas, these local write-ups cover other parts of the East Valley:
- Wasp nest removal in Chandler near Cooper Commons
- Gilbert bee and wasp removal guide for Agritopia
- Professional bee removal in Mesa for the 85208 area
Ready to book? Request service online or call (480) 422-8388. Bucksworth Home Services has been locally owned since 2013 by Jordan and Taylor Moore, and you can see how we work on our YouTube channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of a wasp nest by myself?
For a small, open nest within reach, spray a labeled wasp-and-hornet product at dusk from the maximum distance, then back away and check the next day. Remove the nest only after activity stops. Do not use a ladder or try this if you are allergic.
What is the best time of day to remove a wasp nest?
Late evening or just before sunrise. The whole colony is on the nest, the wasps are calmer and fewer are out foraging.
Will a wasp nest go away on its own?
Paper wasp colonies die off after the season, but the nest stays until it is removed, and the colony can sting in the meantime. Queens may also rebuild nearby the next year.
Is it dangerous to knock down a nest with water or a broom?
Yes. Knocking down an active nest disturbs the whole colony and is a common way people get stung several times. Treat the nest first and remove it only when it is quiet.
How do I know if the nest is a wasp or a bee hive?
Wasps have slim, smooth bodies and build papery nests. Bees are fuzzier and rounder and usually nest in cavities with wax comb. If you are unsure, send us a photo before you spray.
Who do I call for wasp removal in Tempe?
Call Bucksworth at (480) 422-8388. Tell us where the nest is and whether anyone is allergic, and we will schedule a technician.