Effective Wasp Control: Using a Wasp Bomb for Under Deck Infestations
Regarding wasp control, dealing with under deck infestations can be challenging. Wasps are notorious for building nests in hidden and hard-to-reach areas, like under decks, which can threaten your outdoor space and health. However, you may ask like many others. Do bug bombs kill wasps? Using bug bombs for wasps effectively eliminates wasps, ants, fleas, and other insects from nesting under your deck.
Wasp bombs are specially formulated insecticide aerosol sprays designed to quickly and effectively kill wasps on contact. With their wide aerosol spray can range, wasp bombs can reach tight spaces, including under decks, where wasps commonly build nests. One of the key advantages of using a wasp bomb for under-deck infestations is that it offers a do-it-yourself (DIY) solution to save you time and money compared to hiring a professional exterminator.
In our guide, you can learn more about using a hot shot fogger and the effects it can have on your home. By the end, you’ll better understand how to deal with pesky yellow jackets and other troublesome insects hiding in hard-to-reach places. (Read Peat Moss Over Grass Seed)
Do Bug Bombs Work On Wasps?
Wasp and yellow jackets infestations can be a real nuisance, especially when they are in hard-to-reach areas like under the deck. Bug bombs often control such infestations, but do they work on wasps? The answer is yes and no. While bug bombs kill adult wasps, they may not be effective at killing the entire nest. Some experts believe using bug bombs could worsen the problem by scattering the surviving wasps.
If you’re dealing with a ground-nesting wasp species, like yellow jackets or hornets, bug bombs might not be your best option. These insects build their nests in underground cavities with little water or moisture. Bug bombs require moist conditions to work effectively and may not penetrate deep enough into underground nests to eliminate them.
Even if you take the DIY route to get rid of these wasps, it may be worth calling a professional to kill them rather than causing health issues with a nest full of angry wasps around your home.
Can You Bug Bomb Under a Deck?
If you’re experiencing a wasp infestation under your deck, you may wonder how to get rid of them quickly and effectively. One option is a wasp bomb, which can release insecticide aerosol to kill all the wasps in one go.
However, using an insecticide bomb or a traditional bug bomb under a deck may not be the best idea. Instead of a bug bomb, use an insecticide concentrate to be diluted and sprayed on specific areas where the bees and wasps congregate around their nest.
7 Steps to Use a Wasp Bomb Under Your Deck
Once you have had enough, wasps can be dealt with using the following steps. First is a quick overview, then more detail about how you’d kill the wasps under your deck.
1. Safety First.
Wear protective clothing and equipment like gloves, goggles, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and closed-toe shoes.
2. Identify the Wasp Infestation.
Inspect your deck area for signs of infestation.
3. Cover the Area with Plastic Sheeting.
Spread plastic sheeting across the affected area to prevent any escape of chemicals from a hole.
4. Plan Your Escape Route.
Decide on an escape route before spraying to avoid getting trapped by emerging pests.
5. Place the Wasp Bomb Under Your Deck.
Crawl under to place a wasp bomb underneath or near the nest you want to destroy.
6. Activate and Exit.
Follow instructions on Wasp Bomb for activation and exit while closing off entry points.
7. Wait & Watch.
Carefully monitor the treated area for at least a week after using a Wasp Bomb and ensure any active insects have been killed.
Full Steps To Ensure Your Wasps Are Dead
1. Choose Your Wasp Bomb
When getting rid of wasps, using a wasp bomb is an effective method. However, not all wasp bombs are created equal. It’s essential to choose the right one for your needs. One factor to consider is whether you want a plastic or metal casing for your wasp bomb. Plastic options are more environmentally friendly and easier to dispose of, but some users prefer the sturdiness of metal. Another important consideration when choosing a wasp killer spray or bomb is how effectively it kills the insects. (Read Can You Lay A Grill Down To Transport It)
2. Turn Off Electricity to Deck Lights
Before using a wasp bomb for under-deck infestations, turning off the electricity to deck lights is essential.
This step is crucial as turning off the electricity will prevent accidental electrocution while spraying to kill the wasps’ nest or using a spray bottle filled with insecticide. Electricity can also cause a fire hazard if not turned off before using any chemical solutions.
3. Seal All But One Deck Opening
To effectively use a wasp bomb on yellowjackets under your deck, it is crucial to seal all but one deck opening. This prevents the escape of wasps and maximizes the effectiveness of the treatment. Identify all entry points close to your house, and seal them with caulk or foam insulation. Use tap water to dilute the caulk or foam insulation if necessary.
4. Prepare Your Fogger for Under-Deck Use
One crucial step in using a hot shot fogger under a deck is preparing your fogger to ensure maximum effectiveness. Read the instructions to understand how the device operates. This includes knowing how to load it with insecticide and use it safely.
Next, access and inspect your deck area for any potential hazards that could impact the performance of your wasp bomb, like rain or wind. If you expect windy conditions during application to prevent wasps everywhere, consider postponing until calmer weather for better accuracy and coverage. Rain can also dilute the chemicals in the insecticide, reducing its potency.
It can also be better to carry out the task during late dusk, as most of the wasps will have returned for the night.
5. Set Off Your Bug Bomb
Activate the wasp spray according to the instructions provided by holding down on the button until empty or until it stops spraying automatically.
6. Seal the Last Deck Opening
Sealing the last deck opening is critical in preventing wasps to fly out from under your deck. Start by cutting a plastic bottle to create a funnel and placing it over the opening. The funnel will allow you to direct the odor neutralizer into the opening without spilling it everywhere.
Apply an odor neutralizer around the area where you placed the bomb, as this will be more effective in both killing wasps and deterring them from returning.
7. Wait for the Fogger to Work
Once you have positioned the bomb in the ideal location, it is time to wait for the wasp fogger to work its magic. Most wasp bombs take 3-4 hours to dispense their contents and eliminate the infestation. During this time, you should keep your distance from the area under attack and avoid contact with live wasps.
While waiting for the fogger to work, ensure that all entry points are sealed with duct tape tightly. This will prevent any surviving wasps from escaping and seeking refuge elsewhere.
Remember, wasps will fly and sting if aggravated, so it is best not to disturb them while you use your spray bomb.
Do You Have to Wash Your Deck After a Bug Bomb?
For getting rid of wasp infestations under your deck, using a wasp bomb can be an effective solution. However, once the bomb has been activated and killed, you may wonder if you must wash your deck afterward. The answer is yes.
Bug spray bombs kill insects on contact. They can leave behind harmful residue on surfaces where they are used. This residue might harm pets or children who come into contact with it. Therefore, washing down your deck after using a bug bomb is recommended. When washing your deck using a wasp bomb, use soap and water or dishwashing liquid to clean the residue.
Can You Use a Bug Bomb to Kill Wasps Under Your Deck?
If you have a severe hornet nest or wasp nest under your deck, you might be tempted to use a bug bomb as a quick solution. However, before doing so, understand if bug bombs effectively kill wasps and hornets. Bug bombs kill insects that encounter them by releasing a fog of insecticide into the air.
While they may be helpful for some insects, they aren’t always effective against wasps and hornets or in a big nest. One reason bug bombs may not work against wasps is that these insects build their nests in enclosed spaces where the fog from the bomb can’t reach and destroy them.
Most bug bombs won’t penetrate the thick paper-like material that makes up many wasp nests. Even if you spray directly at the nest entrance or around it with a bug bomb or other aerosol insecticides, there is no guarantee that all the wasps will die. (Read Potassium Salts Of Fatty Acids Moss Control Guide)
Alternative Ways to Remove Wasp Nests Under Your Deck:
If you’re seeking alternative ways to remove wasp nests under your deck, there are several options you could consider. One natural solution is to use a peppermint oil solution. The strong scent of peppermint oil repels wasps, so you can mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the nest.
This may deter the wasps and cause them to abandon the nest. Another option is to use a vacuum cleaner with a long attachment to remove the wasp nest physically. Carefully approach the nest and use the vacuum cleaner to suck up the wasps and the nest. Wear protective clothing and cover all exposed skin to avoid getting stung.
Wasp traps can also effectively capture and remove wasps from under your deck. You can purchase commercially available wasp traps or make your own using a bottle filled with a sweet liquid like fruit juice or soda, which will attract the wasps. Once the wasps enter the trap, they cannot escape.
Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder from fossilized diatoms that can kill wasps. Sprinkle a layer of diatomaceous earth around the entrance of the wasp nest or on the nest itself. The powder will penetrate the wasps’ exoskeleton and dehydrate them, ultimately killing them.
Final Thoughts
Wasps can be a challenge to eliminate, and some alternative methods, like diatomaceous earth, may take a long time. If you don’t want to get stung around your house, you may need a faster solution, hence using a bomb spray to get rid of them.
Calling a professional could be the best way to get rid of wasps from around your house and garden rather than you crawling under to trap them.
