How to prevent social wasps from using a bee house

How to prevent social wasps from using a bee house

Bee houses have empty cavities that are dry and perfect for paper wasps and other social hornets/wasps to start nest building.

If you routinely see social wasps around your home, then an ounce of prevention can eliminate this challenge early on.
  1. Fill all empty spaces with sticks, wads of paper, or something that prevents the wasp/hornet nests from being started.
  2. If a nest has already begun, safely consider how to break the nest off it's attachment point in the evening. A long pole might be useful. Continue this practice daily until no wasps nest, or you are able to fill the empty space.
  3. Spraying with chemicals will adversely impact your nesting bees and should be avoided.
  4. Lastly, rather than get stung, consider leaving nature alone this season and be proactive the following season.

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