Wasps and hornets are part of every Simcoe County summer, and most years we see a spike in calls in July and August — often right after someone has tried to deal with a nest themselves. Here’s how to handle one safely.
Why DIY wasp removal goes wrong
Store-bought sprays often agitate a colony before they kill it, and wasps defend their nest aggressively. Two situations are especially dangerous:
- Concealed nests in walls or soffits. Spraying the visible opening can drive the colony into your living space instead of out.
- Late-summer yellowjackets. By August, a colony can number in the thousands and is at its most defensive.
Bald-faced hornets, with their large grey football-shaped nests, are particularly quick to swarm. A single disturbed nest can deliver dozens of stings in seconds — a serious risk for anyone, and potentially life-threatening for those with allergies.
Know what you’re dealing with
In central Ontario the common stingers are:
- Paper wasps — open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves and railings
- Yellowjackets — often nesting in the ground or in wall voids; very aggressive late season
- Bald-faced hornets — large enclosed aerial nests in trees and on buildings
Each behaves differently, which is why identifying the species matters before anyone approaches the nest.
When to call a professional
Call if the nest is:
- Inside a wall, soffit, or other concealed space
- Near a doorway, deck, play area, or anywhere with foot traffic
- Larger than a golf ball, or showing heavy, steady traffic
- Anywhere near someone with a sting allergy
How we remove nests safely
Our technicians locate the nest and its flight path, treat the nest and void so returning foragers carry product inside and the whole colony is eliminated, then remove accessible nests physically. Finally, we treat the spot and recommend sealing the soffit, fascia, or deck gaps that made it attractive — because wasps return to the same sheltered spots year after year.
The best time to act is early summer, when nests are small. A nest the size of a golf ball in June becomes an aggressive hazard by August. If you’ve spotted steady traffic to one spot, book wasp and hornet removal — we offer same-day service for active nests across Barrie, Innisfil, and the surrounding area.