WASP & HORNET REMOVAL

Wasp & hornet nest removal — Toronto & the GTA

Safe, same-day removal of wasp, hornet and bee nests from eaves, decks, attics and yards. Full protective gear, entire colony eliminated at the source.

Call 437-922-2705
Same-day emergency removal Certified technicians, full gear Colony removed, never reactivates
Wasp & hornet

Safe, same-day wasp nest removal

Wasp nests grow to thousands by late summer and defend aggressively. Nomore Pest removes nests safely with full protective gear — eliminating the entire colony so it never comes back.

Same-day emergency removalFull protective gearPet-safe options
Wasp close-up before safe nest removal
Wasps in Toronto

What are wasps?

Wasps belong to the order Hymenoptera — the same group as bees and ants — with more than 100,000 known species worldwide. Knowing how they behave is the first step to handling them safely.

Wasp identification — smooth shiny body with a narrow waist
How to tell a wasp apart

How wasps differ from bees

Unlike bees, most wasps have:

  • Smooth, shiny bodies with a narrow "waist"
  • The ability to sting multiple times — the stinger doesn't get stuck
  • A diet of insects, nectar, fruit and sugary foods
  • Colonies that usually last only one season
Wasp safety. Stay calm if a wasp flies nearby and never swat at it. Keep food and drinks covered outside, never touch or disturb a nest, and call Nomore Pest for safe removal. If stung, wash with soap and water, apply a cold pack, and seek medical help immediately if there are signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Common wasps

Wasp species found in Toronto

Every species is identified and treated correctly — each requires its own removal approach.

Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus)
Polistes fuscatus

Northern Paper Wasp

  • Size: 15–20 mm
  • Colour: Brown with yellow markings
  • Nest: Open umbrella-shaped paper nest
  • Where found: Roof eaves, decks, sheds, fences

Usually gentle unless disturbed.

European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula)
Polistes dominula

European Paper Wasp

  • Size: 13–18 mm
  • Colour: Bright yellow and black
  • Nest: Small paper nests
  • Where found: Buildings, patios, gardens

An introduced species, now common across Toronto.

Common Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons)
Vespula maculifrons

Common Eastern Yellowjacket

  • Size: 10–16 mm
  • Colour: Bright yellow and black
  • Nest: Underground
  • Where found: Lawns, parks, gardens

Frequently visits picnics and garbage bins.

German Yellowjacket (Vespula germanica)
Vespula germanica

German Yellowjacket

  • Size: 12–17 mm
  • Colour: Yellow and black
  • Nest: Underground or wall cavities
  • Where found: Homes, buildings, city yards

One of the most common pest wasps in cities.

Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)
Dolichovespula maculata

Bald-faced Hornet

  • Size: 15–20 mm
  • Colour: Black with white markings
  • Nest: Large grey paper nest in trees
  • Where found: Trees, shrubs, structures

Despite the name, it is actually a type of yellowjacket.

Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)
Sphex pensylvanicus

Great Black Wasp

  • Size: 25–35 mm
  • Colour: Entirely black
  • Nest: Underground
  • Where found: Gardens, meadows, sandy soil

Hunts grasshoppers and katydids to feed its young.

Mud Dauber (Sceliphron species)
Sceliphron species

Mud Dauber

  • Size: 18–25 mm
  • Colour: Black with yellow markings
  • Nest: Tubes made of mud
  • Where found: Walls, ceilings, sheltered spots

Rarely aggressive and helps control spiders.

Allergy warning. Wasp stings can trigger severe anaphylaxis. If anyone has a sting allergy, do not approach the nest — call 437-922-2705 for immediate emergency removal.
Nest types

Types of wasp nests found in Toronto

Identifying the nest tells us the species — and the safest way to remove it.

Paper Wasp Nest

Paper Wasp Nest

Looks like an upside-down umbrella, made from chewed wood mixed with saliva, with open hexagonal cells visible. Usually hangs under decks, roofs, railings and sheds.

Yellowjacket Nest

Yellowjacket Nest

Usually hidden underground, but can also be inside walls or attics. Large colonies may contain thousands of wasps.

Bald-faced Hornet Nest

Bald-faced Hornet Nest

A grey, football-shaped paper nest, often hanging from trees or shrubs — one of the largest nests found in Ontario.

Mud Dauber Nest

Mud Dauber Nest

Built from mud and looks like small clay tubes attached to walls or ceilings. Each tube contains food and one developing larva.

Anatomy

Body parts of a wasp

Three main sections

  • Head — two compound eyes, two antennae and strong jaws (mandibles)
  • Thorax — six legs, two pairs of wings and powerful flight muscles
  • Abdomen — digestive organs and, in females only, a stinger
Wasp colony members — queen, workers and drones
Colony members — queen, workers & drones
Life cycle

From egg to adult

Wasps go through complete metamorphosis — egg, larva, pupa, then adult. The queen starts a new nest each spring and lays the first eggs; most colonies last only one season, and only newly mated queens survive winter to start again.

Wasp life cycle — egg, larva, pupa and adult
Wasp life cycle — egg to adult

The colony

  • Queen — starts the nest, lays all the eggs, and is the largest wasp in the colony
  • Workers — female wasps that build the nest, gather food, feed larvae and defend the colony
  • Males (drones) — mate with new queens and usually die soon after
Diet & ecology

What wasps eat — and why they matter

What adults eat

Nectar, fruit, tree sap, sweet drinks and human food — especially in late summer, which is when they most often bother patios and picnics.

What larvae eat

Caterpillars, flies, spiders and other insects brought back by worker wasps — which is how wasps help control garden pests.

Natural pest control

By hunting insects that damage gardens and crops, wasps keep pest numbers down — many farmers consider them beneficial.

Pollination & balance

Wasps pollinate some flowers, recycle dead insects and help keep local ecosystems balanced.

Seasonal activity

When are wasps most dangerous?

The earlier we remove a nest, the safer and more affordable the job.

Spring (Apr–Jun) — best time

Queens build small founding nests. The colony is tiny — easy and low-risk to remove, and the lowest cost. Call as soon as you spot a nest.

Summer (Jul–Aug) — rapid growth

Colonies double in size weekly and are drawn to BBQs and sweet drinks. Don't DIY — call us immediately.

Late summer–fall (Aug–Oct) — most dangerous

Maximum colony size and peak aggression. Sting risk is extremely high — emergency removal recommended.

Common hotspots

Where wasps nest in Toronto homes

We inspect all hotspots — including hidden nests inside attics and underground.

  • Attics & beams — hidden nests inside rafters, often undiscovered until very large.
  • Roof & soffits — the most common location; sheltered from rain, so colonies grow fast.
  • Trees & shrubs — hornets build large nests in branches; very dangerous when trimming.
  • Decks & patios — paper wasps nest under boards; the #1 source of backyard stings.
  • Underground — yellowjackets nest in soil and lawns; nearly invisible until triggered by mowers.
  • Wall voids — colonies build inside cavities and enter through tiny exterior gaps.
Our process

How Nomore Pest removes wasp nests

A proven 4-step process on every Toronto job — fast, safe, guaranteed.

Free Inspection

Identify the species and locate all nests, including hidden ones.

Treatment Plan

The right method selected based on nest type and location.

Safe Removal

Full protective gear; the entire colony eliminated at the source.

Follow-Up Visit

We confirm complete elimination so the nest never reactivates.

Where we serve

Across Toronto & the GTA

Same-day and emergency wasp removal across the GTA — certified technicians dispatched within hours.

  • Toronto
  • Brampton
  • Mississauga
  • Markham
  • Vaughan
  • Richmond Hill
  • Scarborough
  • Woodbridge
FAQs

Wasp removal questions

No — never approach an active nest. Disturbing it can trigger the colony to swarm and sting repeatedly. Call us for safe removal with proper protective gear.

We safely remove and treat wasp, hornet and bee nests. Where possible with bees, we prioritise safe, low-harm approaches.

Spring, when the queen is building a small founding nest. The colony is tiny, low-risk and lowest-cost — call as soon as you spot a nest.

Yes — wasps hunt insects that damage gardens and crops, pollinate some flowers and help keep ecosystems balanced. We only remove nests that pose a sting risk to your family or property.

Wasp nest on your property? We remove it safely — same day.

Same-day service · licensed & certified · residential & commercial · GTA-wide.

Call 437-922-2705

Same-day service · Toll-free 800-461-1827 · Toronto & the GTA