Safe, Effective Nest Treatment & Removal
Wasp & Stinging Insect Control in Lexington, KY
Whether it's a wasp nest near your entryway, a yellow jacket colony under your deck, or carpenter bees boring into your eaves, stinging insects make your outdoor spaces stressful and can pose real health risks, especially for those with allergies. A single yellow jacket nest can contain thousands of workers that become extremely aggressive when disturbed.
5.0 · 138 Google reviews · stinging insect calls get priority scheduling
Berner Pest Solutions provides safe, effective stinging insect control throughout Central Kentucky. One-time stinging insect treatments are priced on our pest control pricing page.
Stinging Insects We Treat in Central Kentucky
Yellow Jackets
Among the most aggressive stinging insects. Build paper nests in the ground, wall voids, attic spaces, and in bushes. Highly defensive near the nest and can sting repeatedly.
Paper Wasps
Build open umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, in garages, and on porch ceilings. Less aggressive than yellow jackets but will sting when the nest is threatened.
Bald-Faced Hornets
Large, black and white hornets that build basketball-sized paper nests in trees, on buildings, and under eaves. Extremely aggressive colony defenders.
European Hornets
Large, yellow-and-brown hornets that nest in wall voids, tree hollows, and attics. Active at night; attracted to lights.
Mud Daubers
Solitary, non-aggressive wasps that build mud tube nests on walls and under overhangs. Rarely sting but unsightly.
Carpenter Bees
Large, round bees that bore 1/2-inch circular holes in unpainted wood on decks, eaves, and fascia boards. Cause structural damage over time. Males hover and appear aggressive but cannot sting; females can sting if directly handled.
Cicada Killers
Large, ground-nesting wasps that look intimidating but are largely docile. Females can sting but rarely do.
Not Sure What's Buzzing?
See our dedicated carpenter bee control guide and our stinging insect library for identification help.
Our Stinging Insect Treatment Approach
- ✓ Inspection & species identification: identifying the species determines the correct treatment method, product choice, and safety precautions
- ✓ Nest treatment: direct treatment of the nest with appropriate product at the optimal time
- ✓ Nest removal: when safe and appropriate, physical removal of the treated nest to prevent secondary insect activity
- ✓ Entry point treatment: for wall void or structural nests, treating the entry point and sealing after colony death
- ✓ Carpenter bee treatment: treating bore holes, applying preventative product to wood surfaces, and providing wood protection recommendations
- ✓ Preventative inspection: identifying potential nest sites before colonies establish in spring
A note on timing: Stinging insect treatment is most effective in early morning or evening when the entire colony is present in the nest. We plan service accordingly for maximum effectiveness and safety.
Is It Safe to Remove a Wasp Nest Myself?
DIY nest removal is one of the most common causes of severe stinging insect stings. Yellow jacket and bald-faced hornet colonies are extremely aggressive when disturbed and can mobilize hundreds of workers in seconds. We strongly recommend professional treatment for:
- ✓Any nest larger than a golf ball
- ✓Nests in wall voids, attics, or enclosed structures
- ✓Yellow jacket or bald-faced hornet nests
- ✓Anyone with a known or suspected allergy to stings
- ✓Nests near high-traffic areas or where children or pets are present
Paper wasp nests that are small and located in low-risk, accessible areas may be manageable with appropriate protective equipment, but professional treatment ensures complete colony elimination and reduces the risk of re-establishment.
What Neighbors Say About Our Carpenter Bee & Wasp Work
“We hired them to treat our yard, we have various creatures depending upon the season. In the spring we have tons of carpenter bees and they came out and did a wonderful job. I haven’t seen one since. We have a wood deck and we can actually sit outside with our kids this year. The prices were very reasonable. The owner was very knowledgeable. We will definitely be using him again.”
“Fantastic! Very positive experience with yellow jacket nest removal. Took care of the issue in one trip. I was very pleased with the price as well. I will be calling these folks every time I have an issue. Their prices are so competitive, that I couldn’t have purchased everything needed to do this myself cheaper than the cost of them coming out.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Wasp & Stinging Insect Control
Will wasps come back to the same spot next year?
Yellow jackets and paper wasps do not reuse old nests. New queens overwinter and build fresh nests in spring. However, they will return to the same favorable locations. Preventative treatment of eaves, overhangs, and previous nest sites in early spring is effective at deterring re-nesting. We offer this as part of our quarterly pest prevention program.
How do I know if I have a yellow jacket nest in the ground?
Ground nests have a small entrance hole (about the diameter of your thumb) with visible traffic of yellow jacket workers flying in and out. You’ll often notice activity near lawn debris, mulch, retaining walls, or at the base of structures. Do not attempt to treat ground nests yourself. Yellow jackets are extremely aggressive and can sting repeatedly.
Can you treat carpenter bee damage?
Yes. We treat existing carpenter bee bore holes and the galleries inside them, which eliminates current inhabitants and deters future use. We also apply preventative product to wood surfaces to deter new boring. Sealing holes after treatment and painting or staining exposed wood are the most effective long-term deterrents.
How quickly can you treat a wasp or yellow jacket nest?
We prioritize stinging insect calls and will get you on the schedule as quickly as possible. We understand these situations are urgent, especially when nests are near doors, play areas, or for households with allergies.
Are your stinging insect treatments safe for my pets?
Yes. We use targeted product applications at the nest site, not broad sprays. We’ll advise you to keep pets and children away from the treatment area until it is dry (typically 30-60 minutes). Our treatments do not pose residual risk to pets in the treated area after drying.
Berner Pest Solutions serves Lexington and surrounding communities, including Georgetown, Nicholasville, and Versailles. Request a free quote to get started.
Schedule Stinging Insect Control in Lexington, KY
Don't let wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets take over your outdoor spaces. Berner Pest Solutions provides expert, safe stinging insect control throughout Lexington, Georgetown, Nicholasville, Versailles, Winchester, Richmond, and the surrounding Central Kentucky area.
Get a Free Stinging Insect Estimate
Tell us where the nest is and what you're seeing. We'll identify the species, quote the treatment, and get you on the schedule fast. One-time treatment rates are published on our pricing page.