Can Wasps Damage a House?

Wasps are a pesky problem that can lead to allergic reactions, damaged property, and more. Whether you’re trying to find ways to remove wasps from your house or you’re curious if they can cause several structural problems, you’re in the right place. It’s important to remember wasps become agitated quickly.

Wasps can damage a house by chewing through wood, plasterboard, and other porous materials. They build nests near windows, doorways, and gutters to stay protected, but they’ll bite through the material if they’re trapped or attacked. Use insecticides or savory traps, so you don’t harm local bees.

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following details about if wasps can damage a house:

  • Various ways wasps can damage a house
  • How you can get rid of them without harming bees
  • Why it’s important to remove wasp nests near your home

How Wasps Can Damage a Home

Are you worried about the local wasp nest tearing through your home? You’re not alone. Wasps can be frustrating because they bite people if they’re agitated, but they can also cause structural problems.

Here’s how wasps can damage a home:

  • You shouldn’t block wasp nests because the wasps will chew through the material to escape. To make matters worse, they might try biting the wood or paint on the other side of their nest.
  • Wasp nests that have been there for a long time can remove paint if they’re not taken care of properly. Wasp nests are made of chewed wood, which is why it shouldn’t be a surprise they can bite the wood your house is made of. The saliva-coated wood particles attach to the paint, then strip it if it’s harshly removed.
  • Wasps can destroy wallboards and ceiling quickly. Whether they’re trying to get away from a blocked nest or want to build a new one, your home isn’t safe.

Note: Wasps don’t dig burrows to live in, but they’ll chew your house’s wood to build their nests.

Wasp nest on house
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Tips to Prevent Long-Term Structural Damage From Wasps

If you want to keep your home safe from structural damage caused by wasps, try these tips:

  1. Use savory traps (tuna, chicken, etc.) to attract wasps without getting the attention of bees. Remember, bees are good for the environment, so you don’t want to harm them.
  2. Use pesticides or insecticides. Consider natural variants containing peppermint oil, so you don’t poison your plants and other animals in the area. Bees don’t like peppermint, so they’ll steer clear without dipping into the insecticide.

Conclusion

Now that you know wasps can cause severe damage to a building, it’s time to take action. You can use natural sprays, savory traps (such as tuna) to attract wasps without harming bees or call a professional removal service.

Here’s a quick recap of the post:

  • Wasps build nests in walls, roofs, and more.
  • Never block wasp nests without removing them since they’ll chew through the wall.
  • Wasps can bite through quite a few building materials.