Opening your grill to find a wasp nest is never a fun surprise. Wasps are drawn to sheltered spots, and unfortunately, your grill makes the perfect home.

But don’t worry - you can get rid of that wasp nest without too much hassle.

In this guide, I’ll show you both humane and effective ways to get rid of the wasp nest in your grill and how to keep wasps from coming back.

#1 Wait Until Night

First thing’s first: don’t rush in. If you try to mess with the nest during the day, the wasps are going to be super active. Trust me, you do NOT want to be swarmed. 

Wasps are much calmer at night when they’re all tucked into their nest, so it’s the best time to go after them. 

Wait until the sun sets, and it’s quiet—this way, the wasps are less likely to come after you.

Also Read: Mold In Grill

#2 Wear Protective Clothing

Now, this might sound obvious, but I can’t stress it enough: suit up. 

Grab some protective gear, even if it’s just a hoodie and long pants. You don’t need anything fancy, but you’ll want to make sure you’re covered. If you’ve got gloves, put them on. 

Wasps can get pretty angry if they feel threatened, and you don’t want to get stung, trust me. 

A hat is a good idea too, especially if you’re dealing with a particularly big nest.

#3 Use Insecticide Or Smoke Them Out

There are two ways you can go about this: you can either use insecticide or a DIY soapy water solution. Both get the job done.

Most people use wasp sprays. You can buy a wasp-specific insecticide from pretty much any store. It’ll knock the wasps out fast and keep them away for a while. 

Spray the nest at night, aiming for the entrance where most of the wasps are going in and out.  

If you’re not into using chemicals or want something a bit more natural, mix up a solution of dish soap and water in a spray bottle. The soap coats the wasps and the nest, suffocating them and causing them to fall out.  

That said, there’s another way to get rid of the wasps without killing them - smoke them out.

Light a small fire or use a smoky incense stick near the grill. The smoke will encourage the wasps to leave the nest without harming them. You don’t need to wait till nighttime to do this.

Also Read: Fly Poop On Walls And Ceilings

#4 Wait A Day

After you’ve sprayed the nest, don’t rush to remove it. Give it a full 24 hours to make sure all the wasps are gone (unless you smoke them out). 

Wasps can take a little while to fly away or die off, and you don’t want to disturb the nest while any are still around. Just be patient. You’ll be able to safely tackle it soon enough. 

Use this time to check your grill and get your supplies ready for removal.

#5 Remove The Wasp Nest

Now comes the part you’ve been waiting for - removing the wasp nest in the grill. 

Once you’ve given the wasps enough time to clear out, it’s time to take the nest down. 

Using gloves and your protective clothing (yes, still!), carefully grab the nest. 

If it’s small enough, you can remove it by hand. If it's a bigger nest, use a tool like a long stick or tongs to gently pull it off the grill. Be extra careful here—there might still be a few stragglers.

If you’re worried about what to do with the nest afterward, just throw it in a trash bag and tie it up. 

You’ll want to dispose of it right away, so no wasps come back. 

It's always a good idea to double-check the area afterward to make sure you got rid of every last bit.

#6 Clean The Grill

After dealing with the nest, it’s time to clean your grill. 

The last thing you want is to fire it up and find wasp remnants or a lingering smell. 

Scrub the grill down with soap and water. You can use a grill brush to get into the crevices where wasps might have built their nest. Once it’s clean, let it dry before using it again. 

And while you’re at it, check around the grill to make sure no new nests are starting to form.

Also Read: How To Clean Oven Igniter

When To Call For Help

There’s no shame in asking for help. Sometimes, a wasp nest is too big, or the situation is too risky for you to handle on your own. 

If that is the case, or if the nest is in a spot that’s hard to reach, it might be time to call a pro. 

Pest control services have the right equipment and experience to deal with it safely, and they can also give you advice on how to prevent future nests.

If you’re allergic to wasp stings or if the nest is really large, definitely don’t take any chances. 

How To Prevent More Wasp Nests In Your Grill

Once the current nest is dealt with, you’re probably wondering, “How do I keep this from happening again?” 

Good question. There are a few things you can do to discourage wasps from making a home in your grill:

• Keep your grill covered with a tight-fitting cover when not in use.

• Regularly check your grill for any signs of nest-building activity.

• Clean your grill thoroughly after each use to remove food residue that could attract wasps.

• Use natural repellents like peppermint oil, vinegar, or citronella near the grill.

• Hang decoy wasp nests nearby to discourage them, as wasps avoid building nests near existing ones.

• Seal any small openings or gaps in your grill to block entry points.

Bottom Line

Having a wasp nest in your grill is definitely not the kind of thing anyone wants to deal with, but it’s not the end of the world either. With a little patience and some basic safety precautions, you can remove the nest and enjoy your grill again in no time. 

Just remember to take it slow, protect yourself, and clean things up afterward.

If you can, don’t kill the wasps and just smoke them out.

And if all else fails, don’t hesitate to bring in the pros. They’ve got your back!