Silver Bullet Pest ControlPaper Wasp Nest Removal in NJ
Gray, open honeycomb nests hanging like little umbrellas under your eaves, deck railings, shutters or grill lid — and they keep coming back every summer? Those are paper wasps. Silver Bullet Pest Control removes the nests, treats the spots they favor, and shows you how to make your house less inviting next year.
4.9 stars on Google • NJ License 90568B • 15+ years • Based in Garfield • Hablamos español
Several nests around the house? Text photos of each one to 973-510-2585 and we'll quote them together.
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How do you remove a paper wasp nest?
Paper wasp nest removal works best when the wasps on the comb are treated first, ideally early in the morning or in the evening when they're all home and sluggish, and the empty nest is then scraped off and the spot cleaned so new queens are less likely to build there again. A single golf-ball nest at ground level is something some homeowners handle themselves, but nests over doorways, up high, in large numbers or around anyone allergic should be left to a licensed professional. Silver Bullet Pest Control (NJ License 90568B) removes paper wasp nests across North Jersey with free quotes. Call or text 973-510-2585.
How to recognize a paper wasp and its nest
Paper wasps are the easiest stinging insect to identify, because their nest is completely open:
| Look at | Paper wasp | Yellow jacket | Mud dauber |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | Long and slim, long legs that hang down in flight | Short, stocky, bright yellow and black | Very thin "thread" waist, black or metallic blue |
| Nest | Open, gray, umbrella-shaped comb with visible cells | Hidden inside the ground, walls or attics | Tubes or lumps of dried mud |
| Where | Under eaves, rails, shutters, light fixtures | Holes in lawns, siding and brick | Walls of garages, sheds, porches |
| Temper | Usually calm unless the nest is bumped | Very defensive | Rarely sting |
| Urgency | Remove if near people | Treat promptly | Usually just scrape off |
In New Jersey you'll see native paper wasps (mostly brown with thin yellow bands) and the European paper wasp, which is yellow-and-black and is often mistaken for a yellow jacket. If wasps are disappearing into a hole, read yellow jacket removal instead.
Where paper wasps build nests around your home
Paper wasps want a dry, sheltered ceiling with a little open air below. On a typical North Jersey house, these are the hot spots:
Eaves, soffits and gutters
The number-one spot. Nests hang from the underside of the roof edge, often over windows, doors and garage openings.
Decks, porches and railings
Under deck boards, stair treads, porch ceilings and the underside of railings, where hands and feet come close.
Grills, outdoor furniture and play sets
Inside grill lids and covers, under patio tables and umbrellas, and inside the tubes and corners of swing sets.
Shutters, lights and mailboxes
Behind decorative shutters, inside porch light fixtures, under mailboxes, meter boxes and AC units.
Because the comb is open, many nests are spotted early. The trouble is that paper wasps often build several small nests around the same house, so finding one usually means more are nearby.
Can I remove a paper wasp nest myself?
Honest answer: sometimes. A lone queen on a tiny nest in May, at ground level, is a very different job from twenty wasps on a palm-sized comb over your front door in August.
A small nest may be a DIY job if:
- It's smaller than a golf ball with only one or two wasps on it.
- You can reach it from the ground, without a ladder.
- Nobody nearby is allergic to stings.
- You can work early in the morning or at dusk and back away quickly.
Call a professional when:
- The nest is above your head, on a second story or over steps.
- There are many wasps on the comb, or several nests around the house.
- The nest is inside something — a grill, a light, a shutter, a wall or a play set.
- Anyone in the home is allergic, or the nest is by a door, pool or play area.
Never spray a nest from a ladder. Even calm paper wasps will defend a nest that's sprayed or knocked, and a fall is more dangerous than the stings. Store sprays also tend to leave a few survivors that rebuild nearby. Compare options in wasp spray vs. professional removal.
How our paper wasp nest removal works
Walk the whole house
We check eaves, decks, railings, shutters, lights, sheds and play sets on every side, because paper wasps rarely build just one nest.
Treat the wasps on each comb
Each active nest is treated so the adults and the developing brood in the cells are killed, not just scattered.
Scrape and clean the attachment spot
The dead nest is removed and the spot where it was stuck is cleaned. A leftover paper stub can make the spot more attractive to the next queen.
Treat the favorite spots
Where it makes sense, we treat the protected areas paper wasps keep choosing, like eaves and deck undersides, to discourage new nests.
Point out the openings
Gaps behind shutters, open soffit vents and holes in siding invite wasps inside. We show you where they are, or ask us about sealing them.
If nests keep showing up all season, ask about recurring residential pest control, which comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Why paper wasps keep building in the same spots
Many homeowners tell us they get paper wasps "in the same place every year." That isn't the same colony coming back — paper wasp colonies die off in the fall and only the new queens survive. But a few things keep drawing new queens to the same house:
- Overwintering spots. Mated queens spend the winter in sheltered gaps — behind shutters and siding, in attics, sheds and wall voids. In spring they simply start a nest close to where they woke up.
- Perfect ceilings. Deep eaves, covered porches and deck undersides are exactly what paper wasps want.
- Old nest stubs. Nests left hanging all winter can make the area more attractive.
- Plenty of food. Gardens full of caterpillars and other insects feed the colony.
What helps: remove old nests in winter, seal gaps around shutters, trim and vents, and check the usual spots every couple of weeks from May into July, when nests are tiny. Our guides on how to prevent wasp nests and bee and wasp exclusion sealing go further.
The paper wasp year in New Jersey
| Season | What the wasps are doing | Best move |
|---|---|---|
| Early spring | Queens come out of hiding on warm days, sometimes inside the house | Don't panic about one slow wasp at a window; it's looking for a way out |
| May–June | Each queen builds a small comb alone | Easiest time to remove nests; check eaves and rails |
| July–August | Workers hatch and the nest grows; most stings happen now | Remove nests near doors, decks and play areas |
| September–October | New queens and males appear; colony winds down | Treat if still active near people; plan sealing |
| Winter | Old nests are empty; queens hidden in gaps | Scrape off old nests and seal openings |
Paper wasps on rentals, condos and businesses
Multi-family homes and commercial buildings get a lot of paper wasp nests because they have long rooflines, many balconies and lots of places like signs, awnings and light fixtures to build under. A nest over a building entrance or a balcony door puts a lot of people close to it every day.
- Landlords and property managers: one walk-around visit can take care of nests on every side of the building and on each balcony that's reachable.
- Restaurants and stores: nests near outdoor seating, drive-through windows and signage should be handled before they grow. See commercial pest control.
- Schools, churches and day cares: play sets and entrances are classic nest sites; we can schedule around hours when the building is empty.
We serve these properties throughout Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties from our base in Garfield, and in Morris and Union counties with visits scheduled ahead.
Get a Free Paper Wasp Nest Removal Quote
Send photos of the nests and tell us where they are on the house. We'll quote the whole property at once.
Why homeowners call us for paper wasps
- Nests over the front door or garage
- Wasps under the deck or railing
- A nest inside the grill or play set
- New nests every summer in the same spots
- Nests too high to reach safely
Request Service
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Paper Wasp Nest Removal Questions
Are paper wasps aggressive?
Paper wasps are usually calm and won't go after you away from the nest. They will sting to defend the nest if it's bumped, sprayed or knocked, and nests in places people touch, like railings, grill lids and shutters, are where most stings happen.
What's the best time to remove a paper wasp nest?
Early morning or evening is best, when the wasps are on the nest and moving slowly in the cooler air. Early in the season, in May and June, nests are smallest and easiest to deal with.
Will paper wasps rebuild after the nest is removed?
Surviving wasps may try to rebuild nearby if the colony wasn't fully treated, which is why we treat the wasps before removing the comb. New queens may also choose the same area next spring, so cleaning the spot and sealing gaps helps.
Do paper wasps reuse old nests?
No. Paper wasp colonies die off in the fall and old nests are not reused. Only mated queens survive the winter, and each one starts a brand-new nest in spring.
Why is there a wasp inside my house in winter?
It's usually a paper wasp queen that was spending the winter inside a wall, attic or window frame and woke up on a warm day. One slow wasp at a window isn't a nest; if you're seeing several, call us to look for where they're getting in.
Are paper wasps good for my garden?
Yes, in a way. Paper wasps eat caterpillars and other garden pests, so a nest far from people can be left alone. The problem is nests near doors, decks, play areas and anywhere people reach.
How many nests do paper wasps build on one house?
It's common to find several. Each spring queen starts her own nest, and a house with deep eaves, a covered porch and a deck can easily have a few nests at once, which is why we check every side.
Is paper wasp removal safe for kids and pets?
Yes, when it's done properly. We treat the nests directly and explain any precautions, like keeping pets inside for a while, before we start.
Do you serve my town?
We're based in Garfield and serve Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties, with same-day visits often available. We also serve Morris and Union county towns; those visits are usually scheduled ahead. NJ License 90568B. Call or text 973-510-2585.
¿Hablan español?
Sí, hablamos español. Mande fotos de los nidos de avispas al 973-510-2585 y le damos un presupuesto gratis.
Paper wasp removal near you
We remove wasp nests across North Jersey. Local pages:
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B