If you want the best wasp killer powder of 2019, you've come to the right spot.
In our detailed guide, you'll be able to learn more about:
- The 5 best wasp dusts with reviews and recommendations
- Why you should use wasp dusts
- What to do about that wasp nest you found
- How to stop wasps from coming back


- Kills wasps and other pests fast
- Affordable price for a lasting product
- Active ingredient derives from natural sources
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Our Top Pick
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Our Top Pick
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Bayer Delta Dust Insecticide Powder
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Tempo Dust Insecticide Powder
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CSI D-Fense Dust Insecticide
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CimeXa Insecticide Dust
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Sevin 5-Percent Dust Bug Killer Shaker Canister
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Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated as of January 12th, 2021
- Works to kill wasps as well as other pests fast
- Worldwide brand name is well-known and trusted
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
There are a lot of different dusts out there, but Delta Dust is our favorite when it comes to taking out wasps.
Why is that?
For starters, it's full of the active ingredient permethrin, which comes from a flower instead of a science lab--which should give you a little more peace of mind if you've got little ones or pets running around.
Also, it's manufactured by Bayer, a worldwide leader in healthcare products. Yes, as in Bayer Aspirin. The same company that can cure your headache can also rid your deck of wasps which, in a way, is a headache cure in its own right.
The dust itself works tremendously well: the user needs a bulb duster attachment in order to "puff" the dust into the air, which is sold separately (we recommend something like this).
Only a small puff is required, and once the dust disperses, it sets to work. Once the wasps breathe it in, their nervous systems go into overdrive, and they shut shut down, leading to sudden death.
Delta Dust is primarily recommended for the outdoors, as well as attics, eaves, jambs, and crawl spaces. However, the dust is gentle enough to be used indoors, provided all proper safety precautions are followed.
We've got a ton of information about other wasp-killing dusts in this article, as well as pertinent facts about wasp infestations and how to stay wasp-free this season.
If you've got a minute, do yourself a favor and keep reading!
Generally speaking, "wasp powder" refers to insecticide dust, which is a pulverized form of pesticide used to kill insects.
In most cases, a separate bulb duster is required to administer the powder into the air. Normally, this is sold separately from the powder itself.
However, in some instances, wasp powders can be shaken onto a surface (such as a nest) without the use of a separate duster.
In all scenarios, it is highly recommended that the user of any form of insecticide dust wear protective clothing--particularly working gloves--while handling chemicals.
Top 5 Best Wasp Powders
Short on time? Take a look below for the top 5 in our list. Otherwise, check out our buying guide
Why Use a Wasp Killer Powder?
With so many wasp killer spray recipes floating around the internet, it's natural to wonder what the best product for killing wasps truly is.
It can be kind of jarring if you've never heard of insecticide dust, but hear us out. This method of pest control is less popular in comparison to sprays and traps, but the goal is the same: to rid your property of pests in the most effective way possible.
A Little Goes a Long Way
Normally, dusts are administered in cracks and crevices which are otherwise very difficult to reach.
Not only is the pulverized form of a dust ideal for this type of application, but a small bit of the insecticide can disperse freely through the air and cover a wide volume of space.
One can argue that in this way, using an insecticide dust is a much more economical method of pest control than an indoor wasp spray, or even a high-powered commercial wasp spray.
Set It and Forget It
The best-case scenario for insecticide dust plays out like this:
- an insect walks through the dust and begins to track it back to its home colony, inhaling it every step of the way.
- the insects in the colony become exposed to the dust as well, picking up the poison of the active ingredient
- the insects die off, or remain exposed to the insecticide (where death is imminent)
In this scenario, the only responsibility on the part of the user is the initial application. Otherwise, nature runs its course, and the pests die out with no problem.
Take a look at the video below to see firsthand how a wasp reacts to exposure to an insecticide dust.
Long Lasting Effects
The main benefit of using a pesticide dust over a spray or a trap is that it can generally over a layer of residual protection against new pests from returning.
This barrier can last anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on the materials of the dust.
The effectiveness of the residual protection also depends on whether the barrier can be left undisturbed. Attics and untouched spaces are ideal, whereas outdoor areas with lots of traffic and/or rainfall may have decreased effectiveness.

Where is the Best Place to Apply Wasp Killing Powder?
If you administer this wasp killing powder along the crevices of your deck, will it manage to kill off the ant colony below as well?
Keep reading below to find out whether you can take out any pesky species along with your wasps!
In the Attic or Basement
This is probably the best place in your entire home to apply wasp powder.
Why?
Well, it's a quiet, undisturbed place where the chemicals can work their magic. Just as we mentioned earlier, many of these insecticides are effective when left alone by humans--the longer, the better.
Female wasps tend to hibernate in attics and basements during frigid winter months, so applying this powder in early autumn is optimal in order to keep your home wasp-free during the winter.
Eaves, Jambs, and Voids
These are also ideal spots to administer wasp powder; not only because it will sit untouched by the residents of the home, but because this is another piece of prime real estate for female wasps to hibernate in the winter.
Be sure to use extreme caution, however, when treating a closed-off area of your home. Nests hidden in these areas can be tricky to remove, and the wasps residing inside can fly out at you at full force. Be sure to wear protective clothing and have your wasp dust at the ready.
How About the Garden?
This is where dusts tend to fall short.
Why is that?
Well, for all their benefit in being able to touch those difficult-to-reach spaces in all the nooks and crannies, wasp powders tend to clump up when mixed with water.
The dust composition means that rainwater and groundwater washes this type of insecticide away rather easily, so if you're applying it in an outdoor environment, you'll need to do so frequently.
Can Wasp Powder Kill Other Pests?
Absolutely!
Most wasp powders feature active ingredients which target a wide range of pests. This means that by using these wasp powders, you're able to take a "one-stop-shop" approach to pest control, which works out to be a much more economical deal for you in the long run.
If you've got an ant problem in your kitchen, a wasp problem by the pool, and a roach problem by the garbage bins, you're able to streamline your pest control needs into one product.
There are certain wasp powders, however, which are targeted toward wasps, bees, and other stinging pests; one of which we have reviewed in our list.
Keep reading to learn more!
Wasp Powders, Dissected
In the below section we break down each of our product recommendations in a little more detail.
- Kills wasps and other pests fast
- Affordable price for a lasting product
This is our top-rated product on the list because it eliminates problem wasps quickly, and without the threat of interference.
This dust is affordable and lasts for a while, as the contents of one unit package is a 1lb bottle. One use is a simple puff, which only takes a few ounces of the dust. A little goes a long way with this stuff, which means that the price you pay lasts you for years to come.
Delta Dust is totally waterproof, which is our favorite thing about this particular product as opposed to the rest on our list. Not only that, but it's approved for use in areas that handle food, as long as the user follows all safety guidelines.
Delta Dust is most commonly used outdoors and in hard-to-reach areas like crevices, eaves, and door jambs. In other words, it's used in places where wasps love to build nests, so it's ideal for puffing in their general direction.
You will need an external duster to spray the dust, which is sold separately. If you don't own one already, this will be an added expense. However, it should be seen as an investment--especially in light of the fact that wasps and other pests are annoying at best, and dangerous at worst.
We recommend this product for those who want a reliable way to kill off the wasps in the yard or in the attic without a lot of extra hassle.
Pros
Cons
- Marketed directly toward bees and wasps
- Offers residual defense against new infestations for up to 1 year
When you use Tempo Dust, you get the power of the insecticide then and there, but for up to 365 thereafter as well.
Tempo Dust specifically targets wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, bees, and other flying pests.
This dust, though it has the same appearance as Delta Dust is a little bit different. With the active ingredient cyfluthrin at 1%, this dust works to kill the wasps on contact, then protect the area where it's administered for up to a year afterward. It's non-staining and leaves no odor, so it won't cause a disruption.
Tempo Dust, like Delta Dust, requires an external applicator for use.
This dust is normally used in commercial settings, as it's not recommended for use in food-handling environments.
Pros
Cons
- Ready to use in all environments
- Offers residual protection for 8 months against new wasps
This is an all-around great product because it can be administered in so many different spaces.
CSI D-Fense Dust is listed as both an indoor and outdoor insecticide and can be used in both food-handling and non-food-handling atmospheres, provided all safety guidelines are observed.
The dust itself is pre-mixed and ready to use, requiring only an external hand duster for administration into the air.
If left untouched, this dust provides a defense of up to 8 months of residual protection against new wasps and other pests from the time of original dusting.
We recommend this product for adults who live alone, or adults who don't have kids or pets. If accidentally ingested, this dust can be highly toxic.
Pros
Cons
- Recommended primarily for indoor use
- Can provide up to 10 years of protection if left undisturbed
This product is slightly different from the others on the list, but we've included it here because it achieves the same goal: to kill wasps.
CimeXa Insecticide Dust is made from an amorphous silica gel which works continuously over time to kill targeted insects. Because of the silica composition, this product doesn't degrade over time and stands up to all elements, making it an ideal product for outdoor use.
As with the other dusts in the list so far, a hand duster is required in order to use this type of insecticide dust.
We recommend this product for those who have wasps in hard-to-reach places that don't get a lot of access. CimeXa Insecticide Dust works its magic when left alone, so by being in a sticky spot, that'll really do the trick.
Pros
Cons
- Non-toxic alternative to commercial insecticide
- Ready to use canister requires no external pieces
This is a much greener alternative to some of the other options we've reviewed so far.
Sevin 5-Percent Dust is manufactured with gardeners in mind. This product won't harm your plants, particularly garden vegetables. This is the most common concern among people who grow their own food, so we highly recommend this product to those who have crops growing outside.
Another aspect which sets Sevin 5-Percent Dust apart from the other contenders is its shaker canister. Whereas every other option requires an external hand duster, this product comes equipped with built-in holes for easy application.
This product ships in a convenient 3-pack, so you'll be able to get your money's worth and make sure your backyard is wasp-free this season.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: Bayer Delta Dust Insecticide Powder
For those who want to dust away the wasps, look no further than our top pick.
Of course, every option on our list will get the job done. However, we chose Bayer Delta Dust as our overall recommendation for a few reasons.
- One application will kill off numerous wasps
- It's totally waterproof and can hold up to all types of weather
- It is approved for use in food-handling areas
- It's inexpensive and lasts for many years to come
- It's marketed by a world leader in healthcare products, which means that the toxicity levels are low
Other Wasp Product Reviews
Curious about other wasp related products? Check out our other detailed guides to help you deal with your pest problems.
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