Wasp Nest Removal Near Waukee, Iowa

Updated 2026-10-21 · By Kasey, Waukee, Iowa

Late summer in Waukee usually means two things: the Iowa State Fair over in Des Moines, and wasps showing up at every backyard cookout. That timing is not a coincidence. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension notes that yellowjacket populations peak around the time of the Iowa State Fair, when a single nest can hold up to roughly 5,000 wasps.

Before you grab a spray can, it helps to know which wasp you have, where the nest is, and whether removal is worth the risk. This guide covers what ISU Extension recommends, what you can safely do yourself, and when to call a licensed pest professional.

Know your wasp

ISU Extension's guide to social wasps covers the three groups Iowans usually run into: paper wasps, yellowjackets and hornets. All three live in colonies and build paper nests, but they nest in different places:

• Paper wasps build the familiar umbrella-shaped nest that hangs by a short stalk under eaves, porch ceilings, window frames and inside light fixtures. It is a single open layer of cells with no outer covering. ISU says colonies usually have fewer than 25 wasps, though late in the season they can top 100. ISU notes paper wasps are slightly longer and more slender than yellowjackets, and their color varies.
• Yellowjackets are about the size and shape of a honey bee (roughly 1/2 inch) but shiny bright yellow and black. They nest in the ground, in logs or landscape timbers, or inside building walls and attics. You will usually see them flying back and forth at a small opening.
• Hornets, such as the bald-faced hornet, build above-ground paper nests on trees and buildings, as paper wasps do.

Not sure? ISU points out honey bees are fuzzy and golden or brown, while yellowjackets are shiny and smooth. If you have fuzzy bees rather than wasps, do not treat them like a wasp nest; get an ID first.

How the wasp year works in central Iowa

Understanding the life cycle makes removal decisions easier:

• Spring (around May): each colony starts with a single queen, so nests are small and easy to overlook.
• Summer: workers hunt caterpillars and other insects. ISU notes yellowjackets are beneficial predators during this time.
• Late summer: populations peak around State Fair time. Workers switch to sweets such as pop, candy and ripe fruit, which is why they crash picnics and hang around garbage cans.
• After the first hard freezes: the workers, males and old queen die. Only newly mated queens survive the winter, in sheltered spots.
• Next year: ISU stresses that social wasps do not reuse old nests. Each colony builds a new one from scratch.

That last point is important. Once hard freezes arrive, the workers die and the nest will not be used again, so a nest that is out of the way late in the fall will be finished on its own.

Should you remove it at all?

ISU's advice is practical: if a nest is out of the way and unlikely to be disturbed, leave it alone. Control makes sense when a nest is in a "high-traffic" spot, such as along a sidewalk, next to a door, near a play set or under the deck steps.

If you decide to treat it yourself

Only consider DIY if you are not allergic, the nest is small and easy to reach, and you can do it safely. Based on ISU Extension guidance:

1. Identify the nest type first. The method depends on whether it is above ground or in the ground or a wall.
2. Plan to treat at night. ISU's directions for ground and wall yellowjacket nests call for treating during the night.
3. Above-ground paper wasp and hornet nests: ISU suggests a wasp and hornet aerosol made for spraying from a distance of several feet. Retreat in two or three days if needed.
4. Ground and wall yellowjacket nests: ISU recommends an insecticide dust labeled for this use, placed in and around the entrance at night. Dust sticks to wasps as they come and go, and control usually follows within a few days. ISU prefers dust over liquid sprays for ground nests because sprays soak into the soil.
5. Never plug a wall opening early. ISU warns not to seal a yellowjacket entrance in a house wall until all activity has stopped. As the next section explains, wall colonies can already find a "back door" into living space, and you do not want to make that their only exit.

In every case, read and follow the product label. The EPA notes it is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. We do not endorse specific brands.

Yellowjackets inside the house in fall

If you find slow, sluggish yellowjackets indoors after the first frost, ISU says they are almost certainly coming from a nest inside a wall of your house. The colony has been using an outdoor entrance all summer, and when the weather turns cold it finds a "back door" into the warm side of the wall. Indoor wasps can still sting if it is warm enough. This is a good time to call a pro rather than opening walls yourself.

When to call a licensed pro

Hire a professional when:

• Anyone in the household is allergic to stings or you are not sure.
• The nest is inside a wall, attic, soffit or chimney, or wasps are showing up indoors.
• It is a large ground nest near where kids or pets play, or under steps you use every day.
• The nest is high up and would require a ladder. Being stung while on a ladder is a fall risk.
• You have treated once and activity has not stopped after a few days.

How to choose a licensed Iowa applicator

Iowa's rules say no person may engage in the business of applying pesticides to someone else's property without a state license and certification. Wasp and other household pest work falls under Category 7A, General and Household Pest Control. Before you hire someone in Waukee, Adel, Grimes or nearby:

1. Look up the company and technician in the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship lookup. You can search by city (try "Waukee") or by county (Waukee is in Dallas County).
2. Ask what type of wasp they think it is and how they will treat it.
3. Ask what they will do if activity continues after the first visit.

See our guide to choosing a pest pro near Waukee for a full checklist of questions.

Frequently asked questions

Will wasps come back to the same nest next year?

No. ISU Extension says paper wasps, hornets and yellowjackets build a brand-new nest every year and do not reuse the old one. Only mated queens survive the winter.

Why are there so many wasps in late summer?

Colonies start with one queen in spring and grow all summer. ISU notes yellowjacket nests peak around Iowa State Fair time with up to roughly 5,000 workers, and the workers switch to sweets just as people are outdoors eating.

Is it safe to knock down a paper wasp nest myself?

ISU advises attempting control only if you know you are not allergic. Small, easy-to-reach paper wasp nests can be treated at night with a labeled wasp and hornet aerosol from a distance. Nests in walls, high spots or near allergic family members are a job for a licensed pro.

Should I plug the hole where yellowjackets go into my wall?

Not until all activity has stopped. ISU specifically warns against plugging a wall nest opening early, and notes that wall colonies can find their way into the living space of the house.

Do I need to do anything about an old nest in winter?

Generally no. Workers die with the first freezes and the nest will not be reused, so an empty nest found in winter can simply be removed if you want.