Our pick
Terro Wasp & Hornet Killer
With a decent spraying distance, an extremely thick foam, and a cap for added safety, the Terro spray distinguished itself in a crowd of fairly similar products.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $7.
A key criterion for this product to be effective is a pyrethroid active ingredient, which is not unique to one brand. Terro Wasp & Hornet Killer has two such agents, delivered in an extremely thick and robust foaming spray that quickly encapsulates a nest, trapping insects inside and reducing the chances of your getting stung. The foam is so thick that it hangs on vertical surfaces, nearly eliminating drips that can leave residue down the side of a house. Terro sprays about 15 feet (when shot horizontally), which is right in line with the spraying distance of most competitors. This puts some decent space between you and the nest—and you’ll need it. The spray comes clean out of the can and is thick enough to withstand a slight breeze. It has a low odor, compared with that of some other cans. One detail where Terro stood out was safety: This spray has a large cap that fits securely enough to deter a small child (for a moment), and it protects the nozzle if the can falls off a shelf. The 19-ounce can is larger than most, and it’s usually available at Home Depot and Amazon (sold as a twin pack).
If you’re in a pinch and you can’t locate Terro’s spray, we found two others that appear to be identical and should be just as effective. Among these three, it’s likely you’ll be able to find one on the shelves of a local store if you need one in an emergency.
Also great
Ortho Home Defense Hornet & Wasp Killer7
The Ortho Home Defense spray is about the same as the Terro, but it comes in a smaller can and has no safety cap.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $12.
Ortho Home Defense Hornet & Wasp Killer7 has the same active ingredients, thick foaming spray, and delivery range as the Terro spray. The only differences: The Ortho Home Defense spray comes in a smaller, 16-ounce can, and its cap isn’t quite as secure as the Terro cap.
Also great
Bonide Wasp, Hornet & Yellow Jacket Killer
The Bonide spray is just like the Terro and Ortho Home Defense sprays, aside from having a slightly longer spray distance. But it has an even smaller can and a less-effective safety cap.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $13.
The foam and active ingredients in Bonide Wasp, Hornet & Yellow Jacket Killer appear to be identical to those in the Terro and Ortho Home Defense sprays, but the Bonide spray consistently goes a few feet farther. It comes in only a 15-ounce can, and though the Bonide spray has a cap, it’s not as secure as the Terro cap. Also, the Bonide spray is not as widely available in brick-and-mortar stores.
Also great
Bayer Delta Dust Insecticide
Yellow jackets usually live in the ground or in wall cavities. Sprays won’t work on them, and this slower-acting killer has a nice squeeze bottle to disperse the dust.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $22.
Yellow jackets typically make their nests in contained areas, like a ground nest or the walls of a home. Sprays can’t reach to the heart of these colonies and, in the case of wall nests, may drive them farther into the house. Compared with a spray, Bayer’s Delta Dust Insecticide is a slower-acting insecticide. It’s applied to the nest entrance, where yellow jackets get it on their bodies and bring it deep into the nest. Of the three prominent dusts (Delta, Tempo, and Sevin), only Delta Dust is approved for indoor use, meaning for a wall cavity or an attic. It is also waterproof and will remain active for roughly eight months. It comes in a nice squeeze bottle that puffs out a good amount of the dust, which means you won’t need to buy a separate bulb duster.
