A wasp or hornet nest near the house is a real hazard, especially for anyone with an allergy. Whether to tackle it yourself depends on the size, location, and your comfort — and timing and caution matter a lot.
Assess the nest
Small, new nests early in the season are easier to deal with. Large, established nests (especially hornets, or nests inside walls or the roof) are dangerous to disturb — a colony can swarm. If anyone in the home has a sting allergy, don't risk it.
If you do it yourself
Treat at dusk or night when wasps are least active and most are in the nest, wear protective clothing, have an escape route, and use a product made for wasps from a safe distance. Never seal a wall nest's exterior hole — trapped wasps chew inward into the house.
When to call a pro
Nests inside walls or roofs, large or hard-to-reach nests, and any situation involving allergies are best left to a pest professional with the right gear and experience. The cost is small compared with the risk of multiple stings.