Wasp & Hornet Removal
Nests in your tree? We'll handle it.
Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets love hidden spots — hollow limbs, dense canopies, eaves, sheds, and old stumps. We remove the nest safely so your trimming, removal, or yard work can move forward without anyone getting stung.
What's included
Done right the first time.
- Wasp, hornet & yellow jacket nests
- In trees, eaves, sheds & outbuildings
- Treated before tree work begins
- Protective gear & safe technique
- Same-day response when possible
- Insured for property protection
Our process
How the job gets done.
- 01
On-site assessment
We identify the nest, locate the entrances, and pick the right approach for your situation.
- 02
Treat the nest
Done at the right time of day with the right gear so the colony is neutralized safely.
- 03
Remove the nest
Once it's safe, we take down the nest so it can't be re-occupied.
- 04
Continue tree work
If trimming or removal was the original job, we continue once the area is clear.
Why wasp & hornet removal is part of tree work
Most homeowners don't think about stinging insects until a chainsaw hits a hidden nest. By then it's too late — a single disturbed bald-faced hornet or yellow jacket colony can launch hundreds of stings in seconds. We've seen what happens when an unprepared crew opens a canopy without checking first, and it's the kind of thing that turns a routine trim into an ER visit. That's why we treat wasp and hornet nest removal as a service in its own right, and as the first step on any job where we suspect a colony is present.
Bald-faced hornets build the big gray paper footballs you see hanging in the upper canopy. Yellow jackets prefer the ground, hollow stumps, wall voids, and the inside of old sheds. Paper wasps build smaller open combs under eaves and inside outbuildings. All three will defend the nest aggressively, and yellow jackets in particular are notorious for following you long after you've left the area. Knocking a nest down with a stick or spraying it with a can from the hardware store usually makes the problem worse, not better.
We have the gear and the experience to do it the right way. We treat at the correct time of day, when the colony is concentrated in the nest. We use the right product for the species. And we don't open up surrounding tree work until the area is safe. If the original call was for trimming or removal, we'll come back and finish the job once the nest is fully cleared — usually a day or two later.
Where we find them — and what to watch for
Wasps and hornets in trees are extremely common across Lapeer, Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties. The nests we find most often are in dense canopies on mature shade trees, inside hollow limbs and old woodpecker holes, tucked against the trunk where two scaffold limbs fork, or hanging from the underside of large horizontal branches. We also pull nests off of soffits, garages, sheds, deck rails, mailboxes, and play equipment.
If you're seeing steady wasp or hornet traffic going in and out of one spot, you have a nest. If a particular tree or structure makes you uneasy to walk past in the late afternoon, get it checked before doing any work near it. Late summer is peak nest size — a colony that started as a queen in spring can be hundreds of insects strong by August or September. The good news is that Michigan winters kill the workers; the bad news is that a queen will start a new nest nearby next spring if conditions are right.
We also run into nests during emergency tree work after storms. A snapped limb that lands on the ground will sometimes expose a colony that no one knew existed. If we discover one during a job, we stop, secure the area, and treat the nest before continuing. Your safety and ours always come first.
Warning Signs
When to call us right away.
If any of these sound familiar, get the nest dealt with before someone gets hurt or before any tree work begins.
- Steady wasp or hornet traffic in and out of a tree, eave, or stump.
- A visible gray paper football hanging in a tree (bald-faced hornets).
- Aggressive insects when you mow, weed-eat, or walk near a particular spot.
- A nest near play areas, decks, doorways, or pathways used daily.
- You're scheduling a tree trimming or removal and a nest is in or near the tree.
- A storm dropped a limb that exposed a colony you didn't know was there.
- Repeated stings from one location — usually a sign the entrance is hidden nearby.
Pricing
What affects the price.
Wasp and hornet removal pricing depends on access, location, and how the nest needs to be reached. We give a clear price up front before any work starts.
Nest height
Eye-level nests are quick. High canopy nests need climbing or lift access, which adds time.
Species
Yellow jackets in the ground take a different approach than aerial bald-faced hornets.
Access
Open yards are fastest. Tight spaces against structures take longer to set up safely.
Combo with tree work
Adding nest removal to a scheduled trim or removal is cheaper than a stand-alone trip.
Return visits
Most jobs are one and done. Larger or hidden colonies sometimes need a follow-up.
Time of day
We schedule treatment when the colony is in the nest — usually early morning or late evening — for safety and effectiveness.
FAQs
Questions we hear a lot.
- Do you just spray the nest, or do you remove it? +
- Both. We treat the colony first so it's safe to approach, then physically remove the nest so the spot can't be re-used right away. For high tree nests this is usually the only way to be sure the problem is solved.
- How long until the wasps are gone? +
- Most colonies are knocked down within a few hours of treatment. We typically remove the nest the same day or the next morning. If the job is part of a scheduled trim or removal, we resume tree work once the area is clearly safe.
- Is the treatment safe for pets, kids, and gardens? +
- Yes, when applied correctly. We use the right products for the situation, time the application carefully, and tell you exactly when it's safe to be back in the area. We don't spray near food, water, or open windows without telling you first.
- Can you remove a nest without doing other tree work? +
- Yes. Wasp and hornet removal is a stand-alone service we offer in Lapeer, Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties. Just call and tell us what you're seeing.
- What if there are bees instead of wasps? +
- Honeybees are protected pollinators and we don't kill them. If you have a real honeybee swarm or hive, we'll point you toward a local beekeeper who can remove and relocate them. Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets are not bees, and they're what we treat.
- Will the nest come back? +
- Not the same colony — once treated, that nest is done. A new queen could start a new nest somewhere on the property next year. We can recommend simple steps to make your trees and structures less attractive to next year's queens.
Safety first
Trained, insured, careful.
Every TNT crew member follows strict safety protocols. We protect our team, your property, and your peace of mind on every job.
- Full protective gear for the crew
- Treatment timed for safest exposure window
- Customers and pets kept clear of work zone
- No spraying near food, water, or open windows without notice
- Insured for general liability & workers' comp
- Won't open the canopy until the nest is neutralized
More services
Other ways we can help.
Where we work
Wasp & Hornet Removal across Lapeer, Genesee, Macomb, Oakland & St. Clair Counties.
Ready when you are
Got a tree problem?
We'll handle it — fast.
Free, no-pressure estimates. Same-week scheduling. 24/7 emergency response across Attica and Lapeer County.