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Glam Journal

How do you kill yellow jackets in a wall?

Author

Andrew Henderson

Updated on April 06, 2026

How do you kill yellow jackets in a wall?

Spray a quick-freeze aerosol product into the hole immediately after drilling. You’ll want to act fast so the yellow jackets can’t escape. Immediately after drilling the hole, stick the nozzle on the spray can into the hole. Spray the entire can of product into the hole to kill the yellow jackets.

Can yellow jackets burrow through walls?

Typically, yellow jackets do not cause structural damage to homes. They might, however, build nests in attics or walls and defend them. On occasion, the pests chew through drywall to enter living spaces. If disturbed when they are out foraging or protect their hives, yellow jackets will defend themselves.

What home remedy will kill yellow jackets?

Mix 1 tablespoon of detergent and 2 cups of water. Alternatively, mix equal parts of water and liquid soap. Mint or peppermint soap is especially effective.

Can yellow jackets chew through drywall?

If you see bees, wasps, or yellow jackets going into a small hole in the side of your house or under the eaves, etc… but you can’t see their hive or nest, DO NOT SEAL UP THE HOLE! These insects will find a way out. They are good chewers and the drywall in your home is easy for them to chew through.

Will Yellow Jackets attack at night?

No, they don’t really sleep. But, at night – they are all back at the colony. You still have to be careful even at night, there are a few yellowjackets near the entrance – if they sense danger (usually from vibrations), they’ll release a pheromone which triggers the others to come out and attack if necessary.

What can I use to Kill Yellow Jackets in the wall?

Drill a hole into the wall if the entrance isn’t near the nest. If the entrance to the nest is far from the nest itself, or if you are unable to find the entrance, you’ll need to drill a hole in the wall. The drill bit can be small—the hole only needs to be large enough to insert the nozzle of an aerosol spray can into it.

Is it dangerous to have Yellow Jackets in Your House?

Apart from the sting hazard, they also chew on the wood that are nearer to the walls and thereby weakening the structure. They can be dangerous if they build nests on the outside wall of the house, as there are more chances of them breaking in eventually.

How can I get rid of a yellow jacket nest?

Though yellow jackets can be an important predator of pest insects, if you want to get rid of a yellow jacket nest, you can spray their nests with soap and water or pour soapy water into an underground nest to kill the whole colony. You can also get a non-toxic wasp trap or build your own trap out of an inverted soda bottle filled with jam.

Where do Yellow Jackets come from in the wall?

In some cases, the entrance the yellow jackets use can be up to 30 feet (9.1 m) away from the nest itself. Generally, the entrance to the nest is outdoors. Inspect the structure for holes and try to determine where the yellow jackets are coming from. If you aren’t sure where the nest is, look for a shiny area of the wall.

Drill a hole into the wall if the entrance isn’t near the nest. If the entrance to the nest is far from the nest itself, or if you are unable to find the entrance, you’ll need to drill a hole in the wall. The drill bit can be small—the hole only needs to be large enough to insert the nozzle of an aerosol spray can into it.

Apart from the sting hazard, they also chew on the wood that are nearer to the walls and thereby weakening the structure. They can be dangerous if they build nests on the outside wall of the house, as there are more chances of them breaking in eventually.

Where do Yellow Jackets build nests in the ground?

Yellow jackets build nests in trees, in the ground, and in voids in structures, such as empty spaces in walls. If you have yellow jackets in your wall, it’s best to contact an exterminator.

Why are there yellowjackets in my house in the winter?

These inner-wall nests are often the source of wasps that will invade the living space within the house, especially in the fall and early winter. In fact, yellowjackets in the house after the time of frost and the first freezing weather are almost certainly originating from a nest in a wall of the house.