Paper wasps
Slender wasps with long dangling legs. They build open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, railings and porch ceilings.
- Eaves, decks and door frames
- Defend the nest if disturbed
Home / Services / Wasps and hornets
Wasp and hornet control in Ashburn, VA. Safe nest removal.
A nest by the front door or under the deck is a real sting risk for kids, pets and guests. Our licensed Loudoun County technicians identify the insect, treat the nest safely and remove it, so you can use your yard again.
- Same-day visits for urgent nests
- Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets
- Free quotes, no obligation
- Licensed and insuredVirginia certified applicators
- Background-checkedUniformed local technicians
- Fast responseAsk about same-day service
- Written quotesPrice confirmed before work
- Locally operatedAshburn and Loudoun County
Why do wasps and hornets build nests near Ashburn homes?
Wasps and hornets look for sheltered, quiet spots near food and water. Eaves, soffits, decks, sheds, playsets, mulch beds, retaining walls and wall voids all fit. A nest starts the size of a walnut in spring and can hold hundreds of insects by late summer, so the best time to deal with one is early.
Newer Ashburn homes have lots of eaves, soffits and covered porches, and many yards back onto trees and green space. Outdoor dining, trash bins and sugary drinks draw yellow jackets in the fall. Because a disturbed nest can sting many times, it is not a do-it-yourself job for most nests.
Wasps and hornets we treat in Ashburn and Loudoun County
Each one nests differently and behaves differently, so we identify it first. Illustrations show typical coloring.
Yellow jackets
Stocky, bright yellow and black. They nest in the ground, wall voids and mulch beds and are aggressive in late summer.
- Lawns, retaining walls, trash cans
- Drawn to food and sweet drinks
Bald-faced hornets
Black and white, with large gray, football-shaped nests hanging in trees, shrubs and from buildings.
- Trees, shrubs and eaves
- Nests can hold hundreds
European hornets
Large, reddish-brown and yellow hornets that nest in hollow trees, wall voids and attics and are active at night.
- Hollow trees and wall voids
- Can be drawn to lights at night
What wasp and hornet nests look like
If you see one of these, keep your distance and call us.
Open umbrella nests
Paper wasp nests hang by a single stalk from eaves, rails and ceilings. Small and exposed when new.
Large aerial nests
Gray, papery hornet nests hang from branches, shrubs and building corners and grow through summer.
Ground nests
Yellow jackets use an entrance hole in lawns, mulch or banks. Mowers and kids often trigger them.
Wall void nests
Wasps use small gaps in siding, soffits and foundations. You may only see traffic at a hole.
Our wasp and hornet control services
We recommend a plan after we identify the insect and see where the nest is.
Wasp nest removal
We treat paper wasp and other wasp nests on eaves, decks, sheds and playsets, then remove the nest where it is safe to reach.
Hornet nest removal
Safe treatment of bald-faced and European hornet nests in trees, shrubs and buildings, with the right protective gear.
Yellow jacket ground nest treatment
Targeted treatment of nests in lawns, mulch beds, retaining walls and wall voids, followed by sealing the entrance.
Prevention treatment
A preventive treatment of favorite nesting spots such as eaves, soffits and sheds before nests get established.
Drilled holes in wood? See our carpenter bee control.
Our wasp and hornet nest removal process
Clear steps and a written quote before work begins. For urgent nests, call and ask about same-day service.
Request nest removalIdentify
We confirm the insect and the nest location, and check for other nests nearby.
Treat
We treat the nest with protective gear and products suited to the species, at the safest time of day.
Remove and seal
We remove the nest where it is safe to reach and seal entry holes in walls or the ground.
Prevent
We point out gaps, food and trash that attract them and recommend a preventive treatment if needed.
Wasp and hornet control near you: local insights for Ashburn
We work across Loudoun County every day, so we know where nests turn up in our neighborhoods.
Newer homes with lots of eaves
In Brambleton, Broadlands, Belmont and South Riding, soffits, covered porches, decks and playsets are favorite nesting spots. A quick look each week in spring catches nests while they are small.
Trees, trails and green space
Yards that back onto trees, Broad Run or the W&OD Trail are common spots for bald-faced hornet nests in branches and shrubs.
Lawns and mulch beds
Yellow jacket ground nests turn up in lawns, mulch and retaining walls across Ashburn Village, Ashburn Farm and Lansdowne. Mowing near an unseen nest is a common way people get stung.
Patios, shops and restaurants
Outdoor dining at One Loudoun and Brambleton Town Center, with sweet drinks and trash cans, draws yellow jackets in late summer. We help businesses keep patios safe.
Pools, parks and sports fields
Community pools, playgrounds and sports fields host crowds in warm months. We help HOAs and managers find and remove nests in common areas and equipment.
Orchards, wineries and fall events
Loudoun County’s orchards, wineries, breweries and festivals attract yellow jackets to fruit and sweet drinks in the fall. Keep drinks covered and food waste sealed.
Wasp and hornet season in Northern Virginia
Spring
Queens start small nests. This is the easiest time to remove one.
Summer
Colonies grow quickly. Check eaves, decks and sheds regularly.
Fall
Nests are largest and yellow jackets are most aggressive around food and drinks.
Winter
Most colonies die with frost. This is a good time to knock down old nests and seal gaps.
What to do, and not do, if you find a nest
General safety guidance, not medical advice. For severe symptoms such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat after a sting, call 911.
- Keep children, pets and guests away from the area
- Do not swat at wasps or hornets near the nest
- Do not block the entrance or pour liquids into a ground nest
- Do not use fire, gasoline or ladders to reach a nest
- Avoid mowing or trimming near a suspected nest
- Call a professional, especially for large or hard-to-reach nests
How to prevent wasp and hornet nests
- Check eaves, decks, sheds and playsets each week in spring
- Seal gaps in siding, soffits and vents
- Keep trash bins closed and rinse cans and bottles
- Cover sweet drinks and food during outdoor meals
- Fill holes in the ground and fix retaining wall gaps
- Remove old nests in winter so queens do not reuse the site
Dealing with other pests too? See our full list of pest control services, or the seasonal pest calendar.
Why Ashburn homeowners choose us for wasp and hornet control
Fast when it matters
Nests near doors and play areas cannot wait. Ask about same-day service when you call.
Clear, written quotes
You know the price and the plan before work begins.
Licensed and equipped
Virginia certified applicators with protective gear and products suited to each species.
Found a wasp or hornet nest?
Do not disturb it. Call before noon and ask about same-day service.
(703) 555-0142
Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm
Wasp and hornet control FAQs for Ashburn
Is it safe to remove a wasp or hornet nest myself?
We do not recommend it for anything larger than a small, new nest. Disturbed colonies can sting many times, and people with allergies can have a serious reaction. Aerial hornet nests and ground nests are especially risky. A professional has protective gear and the right products.
What should I do if someone is stung and has trouble breathing?
Call 911 right away. Signs of a severe allergic reaction include trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or widespread hives. For ordinary stings, wash the area, apply a cold pack and watch for symptoms.
How do I tell wasps, hornets and yellow jackets apart?
Paper wasps are slender with long dangling legs and build open, umbrella-shaped nests. Yellow jackets are stockier with bright yellow and black bands and often nest in the ground or in walls. Bald-faced hornets are black and white and build large, gray, football-shaped nests in trees or on buildings.
When are wasps and hornets most active?
Colonies start small in spring and grow through summer, so nests are largest and most aggressive in late summer and fall. Most colonies die off with the first hard frost, and only young queens survive the winter.
Will wasps come back to the same nest?
Wasps do not reuse an old nest, but new queens often build nearby the next spring. Removing old nests and sealing gaps and cavities helps prevent a repeat.
Do you remove the nest after treatment?
We treat the nest first, then remove it when it is accessible. Nests in wall voids or the ground are treated in place and sealed up afterward.
Can you treat carpenter bees too?
Yes. Carpenter bees drill into wood and are a separate problem from wasps. See our carpenter bee service or ask us when you call.
Get your free wasp and hornet control quote
Tell us where the nest is and we will call you back the same business day. Prefer to talk now? Call us.
(703) 555-0142- Free, no-obligation quote
- Same-business-day callback
- Price confirmed in writing