Here are the Most Common Pests in Australia and How to Deal With Them

In this helpful guide, The Local Guys will teach you the best ways to remove wasp nests, make your own wasp sprays and traps, and keep pests from coming back!

Wasps are a common pest in Australia, especially during the warmer months. Most people don't mind having solitary native wasps like mud daubers buzzing around, but no one's happy when aggressive wasps invade their property.

Wasp nests can be dangerous and difficult to remove, but we have heaps of tricks and tips for anyone who wants to try! But if you're allergic to wasp stings, dealing with a major pest infestation, or just don't want to risk a painful sting, then leave wasp nest removal to The Local Guys!

Anyone who's dealt with wasps nesting on their property will tell you that they have a bad habit of choosing the most inconvenient or hard-to-reach places!

Native Wasps:

Most of these wasps are solitary, not aggressive, and aren't usually a nuisance.

• Mud Daubers: Build mud nests in sheltered areas.
  
  
• Native Paper Wasps: Build papery nests out of plant and wood fibres.
  
  
• Sand Wasps: Build nests in sandy soil.
  
  
• Spider Wasps: Build nests using mud and plant material.

Invasive Wasps:

These social wasps are pests, behave aggressively, and build bigger nests. They pose a threat to native insects and negatively impact local wildfire and vegetation.

• Asian Paper Wasps: Aggressive when provoked, territorial of their papery nests.
  
  
• European Wasps: Highly aggressive, form large colonies, usually build underground nests.

Wasps are attracted to homes and gardens because they provide easy food sources and attractive nesting options. Leftover food and open soft drink cans are instant lures for wasps, especially in the summer months!

Keep wasps away using 8 preventative measures:

1. Dispose of fallen fruit in the garden or backyard
2. Don't leave pet food, sweet foods or sweet drinks out
3. Keep recycling bins and rubbish bins closed
4. Close compost bins and cover compost piles
5. Keep swimming pools covered
6. Use a repellent spray (vinegar is a natural wasp repellent!)
7. Set up wasp traps
8. Organise a professional wasp pest control treatment

It is not safe to remove a wasp nest by yourself if you have a major wasp infestation or you are allergic to wasp stings. Minor allergies to insect stings are fairly common, but a severe allergic reaction to wasp stings can send people into anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis from wasp stings can be life-threatening without immediate medical intervention.

The best way to guarantee safe wasp nest removal is to contact pest control professionals like The Local Guys! But if you'd like to try your hand at getting rid of wasp nests, then we have some quick tips for you.

1. Locate the wasp nest: If the nest is hidden or partially concealed, wait until later in the day when the wasps are returning to the nest. They'll be easier to track down that way!

2. Decide which methods to use: Get prepared by selecting an insecticide, making your own wasp spray, creating a wasp trap.

3. Select a time: Your best chance to get near the wasp nest is in the early morning and late evening.

4. Wear protective clothing: Proper clothing can protect you from painful stings!

• Long-sleeve shirts and full-length pants
• Gloves (covering or tucked into your sleeves)
• Safety goggles or glasses
• A face shield or mask
• Long socks (covering or tucked into your pantlegs)
• Enclosed shoes

5. Use your pest control method:

Set traps, deploy bait stations, or spray. Be thorough to ensure the best results.

6. Repeat the treatment as needed: Reset your wasp traps or spray again if necessary. You may need to repeat your pest control treatment multiple times for the best results.

7. Get rid of the wasp nest completely: Make sure the wasp nest is removed entirely, otherwise the wasps will return and rebuild!

8. Seal off the area (if possible): If the nest was in a wall void or other cavity, make sure it's sealed up to block access for wasps!

The Local Guys provide professional pest control treatments covered by warranties! So if the same type of wasps come back to your property during that time, our pest control experts will return to eliminate them at no additional cost! Internal treatments and indoor wasp removals have a warranty of 3 months. Combined wasp pest control treatments (internal and external) have a warrant of 6 months.

Our professional pest controllers:

• Have a 100% satisfaction guarantee! If wasps reappear during the warranty period, our pest controllers will complete another treatment at no extra cost!
• Are fully-licensed and trained to deliver wasp control services
• Hold an average rating of 4.5 stars
• Hold $20,000,000 in Public Liability Insurance
• Undergo regular Police Clearance checks
• Require a Working With Children Check (WWCC)
• Have a First Aid Certificate
• Donate $5 to World Vision Australia with every job

You don't need a specialised insecticide spray to get rid of wasp nests!

Fill a spray bottle with:

• 1/2 cup of liquid dish soap
• 1 cup of water

This DIY wasp spray is quick, simple, and perfect for killing wasps buzzing around your property! Soapy solutions can suffocate wasps quickly by blocking the pores (spiracles) that wasps use to breathe.

If you're trying to get rid of the wasp nest entirely, then make a double or triple-batch of wasp spray! You don't want to run out of wasp killer halfway through the job and leave yourself vulnerable to nasty stings.

Wasp traps are a great way to eliminate wasps without having to get close to the nest!

• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons of dish soap
• 1/4 cup of water

Don't use honey in your wasp trap: Honey can lure bees to the trap and you don't want to take out your local honeybee colonies!

• Prepare the wasp bait
• Pour the bait into your plastic bottle trap
• Place the trap close to the wasp nest (but away from windows/doors)
• Check on the wasp trap every 2-3 days
• Clean out the dead wasps
• Continue setting the trap until you're satisfied the paper wasps are gone

Take care when emptying the wasp trap: Make sure the paper wasps are dead before disposing of them.

Knocking down an active wasp nest is a terrible idea! Messing with a wasp nest is the quickest route to a wasp attack, and without the right preparation, safety measures and pest control products you'll have a hard time fending off these aggressive insects.

How to dispose of a wasp nest:

1. 1. Use your preferred wasp control method: Kill the wasps using bait, sprays, etc.
   2. Check the wasps are dead: Trying to dismantle an active wasp nest is an open invitation for painful stings.
   3. Remove the entire nest: If you don't remove the entire nest, the pests will return!
   4. Seal the area: Block any access for wasps so they can't rebuild the nest.

The average price of wasp pest control in Sydney is $160 to $245. Our pest control technicians offer comprehensive pest treatments to get rid of wasps indoors and outdoors on Sydney properties! The Local Guys also offer 3-6 month warranties for clients dealing with wasp issues, so you can count on lasting protection.

Plain vinegar is not the most effective wasp killer and is more likely to irritate them. You'd be better off using vinegar as an ingredient in a DIY wasp trap or as a deterrent spray. Wasps hate the smell of white vinegar, so if you spray it on common nesting areas like porch ceilings, roof eaves, or window openings, the vinegar can help repel wasps.

European wasps and paper wasps are some of the most aggressive types in Australia. They are territorial insects and are credited with most aggressive wasp attacks on humans.

Remember: you should always maintain a safe distance from European wasp nests and paper wasp nests!

Call the pest experts at The Local Guys! Our pest controllers offer safe and effective methods of wasp control for clients across Australia.

Wasp nests are a common pest problem in Australia, especially in the warmer months! You can take preventative measures to help keep wasps away from your property. Using DIY wasp sprays and wasp traps can also help you take control of wasp issues. Removing wasp nests can be difficult and risky, and you should never attempt it on your own if you are allergic to wasp stings.

For safe and effective wasp nest removal, you can trust professional pest controllers from The Local Guys! We offer professional wasp control services with 3–6 month warranties and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. For fast, reliable wasp control in Australia, contact The Local Guys!