Call Now and Ask About the Winter Deal While it Lasts →

Sign-in to Account
Call Us

(855) 948-5816

aptive_pest_control_lockup-white

Find Service Area

How to Get Rid of Ground Wasps

Written by Aptive Pest Control April 18, 2019

Getting rid of ground wasps can be tricky. Ground wasp nests can be difficult to find, and if you accidentally disturb one, you may end up getting stung multiple times. In order to get rid of a ground nest, you first need to locate the nest and come up with a well-thought-out treatment plan. Wasps, particularly yellow jackets, can be very aggressive. In order to get rid of ground wasps without you or a loved one getting stung, leave removal up to a pest expert.

Identifying a Wasp Nest in the Ground

When you think of a wasp nest, you probably imagine a paper-like nest hanging from a tree or attached to a porch eave. However, if you have ever stumbled upon a swarm of yellow jackets, then you know certain types of wasps build nests in the ground. While ground wasps prefer to build wasps in well-protected areas away from foot traffic, it is common to disturb a nest when landscaping or gardening.

If you notice wasp activity in your yard or around your house, but can’t locate a hanging nest, try looking for cone-shaped dirt piles with a large hole located at its center. In addition to the ground, ground wasps commonly build nests in shrubs, mulch, and rotten wood. In order to keep from getting stung, we suggest setting out food wasps like, such as fruit, and watching where they fly to from the food.

What Kind of Wasps Build Ground Nests

There are many different types of ground wasps. As a result, not all ground wasps look the same, or even behave the same. Some are harmless, like the ground digger, or cicada killer, wasp. While others, like the yellow jacket, are aggressive. Given the sheer number of species, it is easier to break up ground wasps into two categories – social and solitary.

Social wasps build nests that are populated by queens, male adults, and developing wasps. These nests can host over 500 wasps and are defended aggressively. A well-known social ground wasp is the yellow jacket. Meanwhile, solitary wasps build a nest for themselves and their offspring. Because there is only one female occupying the nest, hunting for prey, and taking care of her young, solitary ground wasps aren’t as combative as their social counterparts.

Wasp Nest Removal

When it comes to removing a wasp nest, it is best to leave it to the experts to handle. What may seem like a relatively easy job can quickly turn into a painful, and potentially dangerous, situation. When you use Aptive Pest Control, an experienced service professional will conduct a thorough inspection of your property and determine the best way to eliminate the ground nest. That way, you don’t have to worry about getting stung by a swarm of wasps multiple times. Our professionals will also provide you with do-it-yourself control options to help prevent wasps from returning and re-establishing nests.

Understanding the Threat of Ground Wasps in Your Area

While many residents in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Wisconsin might be familiar with the common sights of wasps, it’s important to specifically note the presence of ground nesting wasps like the black wasp in PA and NJ, and the variety of digger wasps in Wisconsin. These types of wasps can create nests underground or in low-lying areas, which might be camouflaged by their surroundings, posing risks for accidental disturbances. It’s crucial to identify these wasps, as species like the digger wasp can have painful stings and are considered dangerous if provoked. Residents dealing with ground wasps should exercise caution and consider professional removal services to handle infestations safely.

Aptive’s dedication to customer service distinguishes us from our competitors. If you have a pest problem that needs controlling, call Aptive Pest Control today.

Curated articles for you, from our pest experts.

A Detailed Close-Up Image Of A Dark, Segmented Isopod Crawling On A Bed Of Dry Twigs, Leaves, And Soil. A Smaller Isopod Is Visible Nearby, Both Surrounded By Textured Ground Debris.

What Are Isopods in the Garden?

Isopods are beneficial soil-dwelling crustaceans commonly found in gardens where they play important ecological roles breaking down organic matter and contributing to soil health through their decomposition activities. These armor-plated creatures including...

Dec 2, 2025
A Vibrant Blue Wooden Door Framed By A Terracotta Wall And Surrounded By Cascading Green, Yellow, And Purple Vines, With House Number 5 Above The Entrance And A Small Stone Staircase Visible Inside.

The Importance of Sealing Entry Points Before Winter

You recognize that cooling fall temperatures trigger pest movement from outdoor environments into heated structures, with proper timing of exclusion work proving critical for preventing winter infestations.  Sealing entry points before winter proves important...

Dec 2, 2025
Modern Kitchen With White Cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances, And A Decorative Tile Backsplash, Featuring A Wooden Tray With Decorative Items On The Countertop.

Why You Keep Finding Cobwebs Even After Cleaning

You remove cobwebs from corners, ceilings, and furniture only to discover new webs appearing within days or even hours, suggesting ongoing spider activity rather than residual old webs from previous occupation. Cobwebs keep reappearing after cleaning because active...

Dec 2, 2025
A Close-Up Image Of A Green Lacewing Insect Perched On A Fuzzy Plant Stem, Showing Its Delicate Transparent Wings With Iridescent Purple And Blue Hues And Long Antennae, Set Against A Dark Blurred Background.

Lacewings 101: What Are Lacewings?

Lacewings are among the most valuable beneficial insects in gardens and agricultural systems, with their voracious larvae earning the nickname "aphid lions" for their remarkable predatory capabilities consuming hundreds of pest insects during development. These...

Nov 25, 2025
A White Bookshelf Filled With A Vibrant Assortment Of Hardcover Books Arranged Neatly By Color, With Titles In Various Fonts And Sizes Creating A Visually Striking Rainbow Pattern.

Booklice 101: What Are Booklice?

Booklice are tiny, harmless insects commonly found in homes with moisture problems, feeding on mold, fungi, and microscopic organic matter rather than actually damaging books despite their misleading common name. These minute creatures appear suddenly in humid...

Nov 25, 2025
A Clean, Modern Bathroom Featuring A White Toilet, A Bathtub With A Handheld Showerhead, A Glass-Enclosed Shower Stall, And A Vessel Sink Mounted On A Black Vanity. The Walls Are Tiled, And A Window With Metal Security Bars Allows Natural Light Into The Space.

Why Do Bugs Appear in the Bathroom More Than Anywhere Else

You observe disproportionate pest activity in bathrooms compared to other household rooms, noticing insects including silverfish, cockroaches, and drain flies appearing regularly despite cleaning efforts, suggesting these spaces provide uniquely attractive...

Nov 25, 2025
A Close-Up Image Of A Dead Cockroach Lying On Its Back On A Rough Concrete Surface. Its Legs And Antennae Are Curled Upward, And Its Brown Exoskeleton Is Clearly Visible.

Why Dead Bugs Attract More Bugs

You observe clusters of dead insects in corners or windowsills accompanied by live insects including beetles, flies, or ants, suggesting decomposing insects attract additional pest activity rather than simply accumulating passively.  Dead insects release...

Nov 25, 2025
A Detailed Image Of A Basement Laundry And Utility Room With Exposed Wooden Beams, A Washer And Dryer, A Water Softener, Ductwork, And A Water Heater Unit Against A Brick And Wood-Paneled Wall.

Why Do Basements and Attics Host Different Pest Species

You observe distinct pest types in different vertical zones of your home—moisture-seeking insects in basements while overwintering pests concentrate in attics—suggesting these spaces provide fundamentally different environmental conditions attracting...

Nov 25, 2025
Modern Suburban Home With Beige Siding, Dark Shutters, And A Clean Black Roof, Featuring A Well-Maintained Lawn And A Triple Garage Under A Colorful Evening Sky.

Why Do Pests Return After Moving Out of a Home

You vacate a property expecting pest activity to cease without human occupancy, yet observe infestations reestablishing or intensifying during vacancy periods, suggesting pests exploit conditions created by unoccupied structures rather than requiring active human...

Nov 20, 2025
A Group Of Small Potted Plants, Including A Fuzzy Cactus, A Green Succulent, And A Taller Reddish Succulent, Arranged On A Windowsill With Sheer Lace Curtains Softly Filtering Daylight In The Background.

Why Windowsills Become Hotspots for Insect Activity

You observe disproportionate insect activity concentrated on windowsills compared to other household areas, finding dead and live insects including flies, ladybugs, spiders, and various other species clustered near glass surfaces.  Windowsills attract insects...

Nov 20, 2025

Take back your home with pest control today.