Wasps — including paper wasps and other vespids — build nests around Chicago homes from May through October. Unlike honeybees, wasps can sting multiple times and become aggressive when their nest is threatened. They often go unnoticed until the nest is large.
What Do Wasps Look Like?
Most Chicago paper wasps are slender, 3/4 to 1 inch long, with yellow and black or reddish-brown coloring and a narrow 'wasp waist.' Their bodies are smooth, not hairy like bees, and their legs hang noticeably when they fly.
Where Do Wasps Hide?
Wasps build umbrella-shaped paper nests in protected spots — under eaves, soffits, deck rails, inside garages and sheds, in mailboxes, inside light fixtures, and inside grill covers. They also nest in attics and wall voids.
Signs of a Wasp Infestation
Visible nests with a single layer of hexagonal cells, increased wasp activity around eaves and outdoor lights, wasps repeatedly flying to the same spot, and aggressive defensive behavior if you approach a nest.
Health Risks of Wasps
Wasp stings are painful and trigger severe allergic reactions in a small percentage of people — anaphylaxis from a wasp sting is a medical emergency. Multiple stings from a disturbed nest can be dangerous even for people without allergies.
How Sleep Tight Treats Wasps in Chicago
Sleep Tight technicians treat wasp nests with targeted aerosol applications in the evening when the colony is in the nest, then physically remove the nest to prevent re-use. We do not recommend homeowners attempt nest removal — disturbing a nest without proper equipment is dangerous.
Need help with wasps in Chicago?
Sleep Tight Pest Control offers same-day chicago wasp control across every Chicago neighborhood and suburb. Call (773) 240-5932 or get a free quote online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a wasp and a bee?
Wasps have smooth bodies, narrow waists, and can sting repeatedly. Honeybees are fuzzy, rounder, and lose their stinger (and life) after one sting.
Will wasps come back to the same nest next year?
Paper wasps don't reuse old nests but will build a new nest in the same spot. Removing the old nest and treating the area helps deter rebuilding.
Can I treat a wasp nest myself?
We don't recommend it — disturbing a nest without proper protective equipment can lead to multiple stings. Sleep Tight techs treat at night when wasps are calm and inside the nest.
How long does treatment take?
Most wasp nest treatments are completed in a single visit. Activity stops within 24 hours and the nest can be removed immediately or the following day.