Stinging Insect Control
Wasp & Bee Removal in Los Gatos, CA
101 Exterminators does wasp and bee removal in Los Gatos: yellowjacket nests in the ground and in wall voids, paper wasp combs under eaves, and live relocation of accessible honey bee swarms. CA licensed under SPCB Lic. #9119, working Santa Clara County since 2005. The dry oak-woodland slopes at the St. Joseph's Hill edge of town put many more ground-nesting yellowjackets on hillside lots here than the flats see.
Warning Signs
Signs You Need Wasps & Bees Service in Los Gatos
We treat yellow jacket nests (including in-ground and wall-void nests), paper wasp nests under eaves and overhangs, European and bald-faced hornet nests, and mud dauber tubes. For honey bee hives established in walls or structures, we provide complete treatment and nest removal including comb excavation to prevent future odor and secondary pest attraction. For accessible swarms, we can arrange transfer to a local beekeeper.
Visible nest under eaves, in shrubs, attached to window frames, in tree cavities, or in attic vents
Repeated wasp activity near a specific location on the structure — nest is likely nearby
Wasp or bee activity around a specific gap, crack, or vent opening — indicates cavity nest inside
In-ground yellow jacket activity — small hole in soil or mulch bed with wasps entering and exiting
Honey bee swarm visible on a tree, shrub, or structure — usually a temporary cluster
Buzzing sounds within walls, soffits, or chimney area — established honey bee hive
How It Works
Our Wasps & Bees Process in Los Gatos
Every job follows the same methodical approach — no shortcuts, no guesswork. Here is what to expect when you work with us in Los Gatos.
Species & Nest Location
We identify the species and locate all nesting sites, including in-wall or structural voids that require special access. Species determines the treatment approach.
Treatment in Protective Equipment
Our technicians treat nests in full protective equipment — veil, suit, and gloves. Evening treatment is preferred for ground nests when foragers have returned to the nest.
Nest Removal
After treatment, accessible nests are physically removed. For wall-void nests, we advise on comb removal to prevent secondary pest attraction from wax, honey, and larval material.
Entry Point Sealing
We seal entry points used by cavity-nesting species to prevent re-colonization by a new colony in the same location.
Why 101 Exterminators
Wasps & Bees You Can Count On in Los Gatos
Bee Relocation Option
When possible, we work with local beekeepers to relocate honey bee swarms and accessible hives rather than exterminating them. Good for bees, good for local agriculture.
Wall-Void Nest Removal
Nests inside walls require more than just treatment — the comb must be removed to prevent honey seepage, secondary pests, and odor. We handle the complete remediation.
Urgent Situations Come First
A wasp nest near an entry door, child's play area, or pet run is a safety emergency. We move these ahead of routine work.
Evening Ground Nest Treatment
Yellow jacket ground nests are treated at dusk when the full colony has returned, maximizing effectiveness and minimizing any risk of disrupted forager activity.
Common Questions
Wasp & Bee Removal FAQs for Los Gatos
There are wasps going in and out of a hole in the ground on my Los Gatos hillside. What are they?
Almost certainly yellowjackets. They take over abandoned rodent burrows, and the dry oak-woodland slopes above Surmont, Belgatos and the Kennedy Road hills are full of them, which is why in-ground nests turn up far more often on Los Gatos hillside lots than down on the flats. Do not flood or plug the hole. A disturbed in-ground colony defends aggressively and will pursue well away from the nest. Mark the spot from a distance, keep pets and kids off that part of the yard, and have it treated at the entrance.
A honey bee swarm landed in a tree in my Los Gatos yard. Is that an emergency?
No, a resting swarm is the least dangerous stage. Swarming honey bees are between homes, they have no comb or brood to defend, and many clusters move on within a day or two by themselves. If it is reachable we can arrange transfer to a local beekeeper rather than treating it. What does need attention is a swarm that goes into a wall, chimney or attic vent. Once comb is being built, removal means opening the structure, and every week that passes adds comb.
Should an old paper wasp nest under my Los Gatos eaves be knocked down?
Yes, once the colony is confirmed dead, which here is usually after the first cold stretch in December or January when overnight lows drop near 40°F. Paper wasps do not reuse last year's comb, but the sheltered spot that suited them will suit the next queen, so clearing the nest and the debris under it makes the location less obvious in spring. On Craftsman and Victorian homes with deep overhangs we check the same eave runs, vent screens and porch ceilings every year, because those are the spots that get reused.
Local Pest Pressure
Common Pests We Treat in Los Gatos
Every area has its own pest profile shaped by climate, housing, and geography. These are the pests we see and treat most often in Los Gatos — tap any one to learn how to identify it and what treatment involves.
Wasp & Bee Removal · Los Gatos
Free Pest Evaluation in Los Gatos
CA licensed and insured. Written estimate before any work begins. Urgent situations in Los Gatos are prioritized.