The common paper wasp is about three-fourths of an inch long, orange and black in color, with wings that are a dark, smokey hue. Though paper wasps are helpful by preying upon caterpillars and other insects, they can also be dangerous. Unlike honey bees, which can only sting once before dying, wasps can sting its victim repeatedly. This can be fatal to individuals who are allergic to wasp venom, and great care should be taken when getting rid of a wasp nest.
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Locate the wasp nest. Orange and black paper wasps construct their nests under roof overhangs, near garages, or under eaves and ledges. The nests are white in color, and the individuals cells are uncovered.
Wait until night to treat the wasp nest. Wasps are dormant at night, which will give you the opportunity to get close to the nest without alerting any sentries guarding it.
Stand off to the side of the nest, not directly under it. When you spray the nest, many wasps will fall straight down, and they won't all be dead immediately. You don't want the wasps falling onto your head or face and stinging you before they die.
Spray the wasp nest with an insecticide spray containing permethrin. Permethrin kills many types of insects, but it is especially effective against wasps. Saturate the entire nest with the spray. If you can empty the entire can before wasps begin falling out, do so.
Go inside immediately. The wasps will attempt to fly out of the nest, and you don't want to be near it when that happens. Wait until morning before cleaning up the dead wasps. Most, if not all of the wasps will be dead.
Knock the nest down with a broom handle or extension pole. If you thoroughly soaked the nest the night before, no live wasps will be around.