A nest by the front door, under the deck, or in the middle of the lawn is not something to take on with a can of spray and a running start. Zero Pests removes wasp, hornet, and yellow jacket nests across Salem, Gloucester, and Cumberland counties, and Ed has more than 23 years of experience dealing with them.
Signs of a Stinging Insect Problem
- Steady traffic: A line of insects flying in and out of one spot in the lawn, a gap in siding, a soffit, or a hole in a wall.
- Paper nests: Gray, football-shaped nests in trees, shrubs, or under eaves (bald-faced hornets), or open, umbrella-shaped combs under railings and overhangs (paper wasps).
- Ground nests: Yellow jackets often nest in old rodent burrows or other cavities in the ground, and mowing over one is how many people find it.
- Wall or attic activity: Buzzing or chewing sounds inside a wall, or insects showing up indoors, can mean a nest in a wall void.
- Night activity at lights: Large, reddish-brown insects at porch lights after dark may be European hornets.
Stinging Insect Season in South Jersey
Wasp and yellow jacket colonies last only one season. In spring, a single queen that survived the winter starts a small nest by herself. The colony grows all summer and reaches its largest size in late summer and early fall. That’s also when, according to Rutgers, yellow jackets shift from hunting insects to seeking out sugar, which is why they swarm soda cans, trash cans, and picnic tables in August and September. Colonies die off with cold weather, only new queens survive the winter, and old nests aren’t reused. The best time to deal with a nest is early, while it’s still small.
How Ed Handles Nests
Ed starts by identifying the insect and finding the nest, including the actual entry point for ground and wall nests. He treats the nest directly with products suited to the species and location, using careful application, and removes accessible nests once activity has stopped. For nests inside walls, he’ll explain the approach before starting, since sealing an active entry hole too early can push insects into the house.
If it turns out you have honey bees rather than wasps, Ed will tell you, and point you toward a local beekeeper who may be able to relocate the swarm.
What to Expect
Call and describe what you’re seeing. Ed will schedule a visit, identify the insect, show you where the nest is, and explain his plan and price before treating. Stay clear of the nest area until he says it’s done.
Why Zero Pests
Zero Pests is veteran-owned, founded in 2025, and run by Ed Newton, who has 23+ years in pest control and NJ pesticide license #92354B. We handle nests at homes, businesses, and farms throughout the region, including Glassboro, Mullica Hill, Pennsville, and Vineland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I try to remove a nest myself?
We don’t recommend it. Yellow jackets and hornets defend their nests aggressively, and disturbing a ground or wall nest can send many insects out at once.
Will the nest come back next year?
The same nest won’t be reused. Each colony dies off in winter, but new queens may start fresh nests in similar spots, so it pays to watch eaves and ground holes each spring.
Do you remove honey bee swarms?
Honey bees are valuable pollinators. If that’s what you have, Ed will tell you and point you toward a local beekeeper.
Why are yellow jackets so bad in late summer?
Colonies are at peak size in late summer and early fall, and workers switch to sugary foods, which brings them to drinks, fruit, and trash.
Get That Nest Gone
Found a nest? Call Ed at 856-599-9376 for a free quote. Zero Pests is available Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM, serving Salem, Gloucester, and Cumberland counties.