Do professionals spray inside the house?

No. Professional stinging insect control does not involve spraying inside the house. Stinging insects are exterior pests, and effective treatment is handled outside where they live and nest.

Trusted Local Experience Since 1994

Serving single-family homeowners across Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland for over 30 years.

Why This Happens

There’s a common assumption that pest control always means spraying indoors. That’s true for some pests—but not stinging insects.

Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets build nests and forage outside. Their colonies depend on exterior structures like eaves, soffits, decks, sheds, wall voids, and underground spaces.

Spraying inside doesn’t address the source of the problem. It also adds unnecessary exposure where people live.

In Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland, nearly all stinging insect activity originates outdoors, even when insects occasionally wander inside.

What This Means for Your Home

If a company is spraying inside for wasps or hornets without a clear reason, that’s a red flag.

Interior spraying won’t stop nesting, won’t prevent future activity, and won’t resolve exterior colonies. It only treats symptoms, not the cause.

For families with kids or pets, avoiding unnecessary interior treatments is an important safety consideration. Exterior-first control keeps living spaces untouched and effective.

If insects are appearing indoors, it’s usually because there’s a hidden exterior nest or entry point that needs to be addressed—not because the house needs to be sprayed.

How Professionals Address It

Professionals start with inspection, not spraying.

They identify where insects are nesting, how they’re entering the structure, and where pressure points exist on the exterior.

Control is applied outside, targeting nests, attachment points, and high-risk areas. This eliminates activity at the source.

Interior treatment is only used in rare cases—such as when insects were already nesting inside wall voids—and even then it’s limited, targeted, and purposeful.

Prevention follows to stop future nesting attempts.

What Homeowners Can Do Now

Safe steps that support exterior-first control:

• Monitor exterior activity patterns

• Avoid spraying indoors on your own

• Keep doors and windows closed during peak activity

• Report indoor sightings promptly

• Focus on sealing gaps after inspection

DIY interior spraying often makes problems harder to diagnose and solve.

When to Call a Professional

If you’re seeing stinging insects around your home—or occasionally inside—it’s time for a professional exterior inspection.

Proper stinging insect control resolves the problem without bringing unnecessary treatments into your living space. Done correctly, indoor spraying isn’t needed.

Mini FAQ

Will interior spraying stop wasps from nesting outside?
No. It doesn’t affect exterior nests.

Why might insects appear inside at all?
Usually due to wall void nests or exterior entry points.

Is exterior-only treatment safer for families and pets?
Yes. It minimizes exposure and targets the real problem.

Written by Planet Friendly Pest Control, serving Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland since 1994. This guidance reflects decades of hands-on inspection experience using outside-first, minimal-product pest control methods focused on long-term prevention and home protection.