And contrary to popular belief, wasps do pollinate plants , just not to the same extent that bees do. Despite all the ways wasps can benefit your yard, wasps can still sting and cause an allergic reaction. Give one of these six methods a go:. Research published in the Journal of Pest Management Science found that a combination of clove , geranium , and lemongrass essential oils successfully repelled wasps.
You can try applying these oils by mixing several drops of each with water and dish soap in a spray bottle and coating areas on the outside of your home where wasps like to build nests: under eaves, porch roofs, and other ledges and crevices. According to Chris Walker , an eco-friendly wasp removal expert in Southeastern Pennsylvania, you can tackle small hanging nests with a mixture of about two tablespoons of dish soap in a spray bottle filled with water.
Peppermint oil may also be effective at repelling wasps, according to the same study from the Journal of Pest Management Science. You can try applying it as described above, or you can purchase EcoSmart Organic Wasp and Hornet Killer , which is mint oil-based, to target established nests. Wasp traps work by luring the insects inside a container with some tempting treat, like sugar water, and then preventing them from escaping.
You can make one yourself in about five minutes by sawing the top off a two-liter bottle and inverting it inside the bottom, or cutting a small hole in the top like this.
Even worse than having wasps or bees in your yard is discovering them inside your home! The best way to keep these pests out of your home is to prevent them from coming in in the first place. Do this by sealing tiny cracks in your home with a waterproof caulk and patching up holes in window screens or replacing them. This pest control method is most effective during the winter or the beginning of spring before wasps become active.
If you already have a wasp or bee problem, having easily accessible food waste around can exacerbate it. Be sure to never dispose of food waste in your yard, and tightly seal your outdoor waste bins. Additionally, if you have a compost pile that is causing pest control problems, you might want to consider composting indoors.
Well, besides trash, they often have old food scraps or liquid. And wasps love to eat, so they will be especially attracted to your trash cans if they're not sealed up well—and they may even try to make a nest near them. Make sure you seal up your trash bins to avoid any new visitors, and that also includes your recycling bins as well. Compost bins can also attract wasps, so make sure yours is well sealed. You could also move the composting indoors if you can't get the wasps away.
You'll want to seal up any cracks in your home or foundation, as wasps like to nest in cracks and hollows on the ground. Keep these patched up and filled to avoid wasps making nests or getting into your home. Pay special attention to cracks that you may find on the edges of the house siding or where wires enter the home. This is great to do in the autumn before any spring wasp nests are built. One way to repel wasps near your home is to plant wasp-repellent plant varieties like spearmint, thyme, eucalyptus, wormwood, and citronella.
Plant these anywhere near your home and especially where you have seen wasps in the past. Flowering plants like marigolds, geraniums, or pennyroyals are pretty and also deter wasps. There are a few plants you'll want to avoid having in your yard, as they actually attract wasps.
This includes sweet fennel, Queen Anne's lace, and yarrow. Don't plant these anywhere where you'd like to avoid wasps. Soap and water are a great defense against small wasp nests. Get a spray bottle, add 2 tablespoons of dish soap, and fill the rest of the bottle with water.
After shaking well, liberally spray the soap and water mixture on the nest. The soap will clog up their breathing pores, causing them to die instantly. Mix together a few drops of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils to naturally repel wasps.
You can add this essential oil blend to a spray bottle along with a few tablespoons of dish soap, fill the rest of the water bottle up with water, and shake. Spray this solution on any established wasp nests, and make sure you look under porch roofs, eaves, and any other ledges. You can also spray this mixture in any spots you've seen nests in the past.
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