Wasps can be a nuisance and even a danger during the warm summer months. Their stings are painful and for some people, potentially life-threatening if they have an allergic reaction. Knowing how to deter wasps from getting too close can help you avoid getting stung and allow you to enjoy outdoor activities. There are several effective methods for keeping wasps away using natural repellents, managing food sources, and modifying the environment around your home.
Understanding Wasp Behavior
To keep wasps away, it helps to understand a little about their behavior patterns and what attracts them. Here are some key facts about wasps:
- Wasps are attracted to sugary substances like fruit, soda, and jam. They will frequently land on uncovered food or drinks left outside.
- Wasps look for places to build nests in sheltered areas like eaves, attics, sheds, and holes in the ground.
- Wasps scavenge for meat and protein sources like dead insects to take back to feed larvae in the nest.
- Wasps tend to be more aggressive in late summer when the colonies are largest and need more food.
- Wasps are defensive around their nest and will sting to protect it if they perceive a threat.
Knowing when wasps are most active (warm weather during the day), what draws them (food and nesting spots), and when they are aggressive (late summer) can guide techniques for avoidance.
Using Natural Wasp Repellents
There are several natural scents and substances that can help repel wasps:
Citrus
Wasps dislike the strong citrusy smell of lemons, limes, and oranges. Rubbing the peels of these fruits directly on your skin can help mask scents that attract wasps. You can also place cut citrus fruits around food stands and eating areas. The citrus aroma overwhelms wasps’ sense of smell and causes them to stay away.
Cloves
Whole cloves, ground clove powder, and clove essential oil all contain eugenol, which repels wasps. You can spread ground cloves on countertops or window sills. Dabbing clove oil on your pulse points can also create a repellent scent aura. Cloves can also be placed inside mesh bags for hanging near doors and windows to help deter wasps from entering.
Peppermint
The minty aroma of peppermint oil and dried peppermint leaves drives wasps away. Apply peppermint essential oil to your skin or clothings edges or plant peppermint in garden beds and pots. You can also mix peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle for a DIY wasp repellent spray.
Eucalyptus
Like other strong herbal scents, the pungent fragrance of eucalyptus oil repels wasps. Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on cotton balls and place them strategically around doorways, food stations, patios, and compost bins. The smell overwhelms wasps and causes them to avoid the area.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has insect repellent properties that can also work against wasps. Use it diluted with water in a spray bottle to mist around door and window frames. You can also apply it directly to your skin, similarly to other essential oils, for portable protection.
Managing Food Sources
Since wasps are attracted to sugars and protein, managing food sources around your home is important:
- Keep foods covered when eating outside and clean up thoroughly after meals.
- Seal trash cans tightly and empty frequently to avoid attracting wasps.
- Pick ripe fruits and vegetables promptly from gardens.
- Rinse beverage cans and bottles before recycling to remove sugary residue.
- Keep pet food bowls inside and avoid leaving pet food outside.
Removing these easy food sources limits what is available to foraging wasps. Proper food management disrupts wasps’ normal scavenging behaviors and causes them to look elsewhere.
Altering the Environment
Making changes to your yard and home’s exterior can discourage wasps from taking up residence:
Seal Cracks and Holes
Since wasps look for cavities to build nests, sealing any openings larger than 1/8 inch can prevent them from sneaking inside. Use caulk and weatherstripping to close gaps around windows, doors, roof lines, and siding. Cover vents and chimneys with fine screens. Check for holes in soffits, eaves, and exterior walls as well and seal them. Removing potential nest sites makes your property less attractive to wasps.
Remove Food and Water Sources
Eliminate anything that can provide sustenance for wasps. Clean out bird baths, pet dishes, and fountains at least once a week. Prune overripe fruit from trees and vines. Keep compost bins sealed tightly. Fix any leaks around outdoor faucets and irrigation systems. Taking away these resources forces wasps to look elsewhere to survive.
Install Screens
Install fine mesh screens on windows and doors to physically block wasps from gaining indoor access. Make sure all screens are in good repair with no holes or gaps for wasps to squeeze through. Consider adding screen doors to exterior doorways for an extra layer of protection. Screens are a simple mechanical barrier against wasps.
Use Fans
Wasps struggle to fly well in windy conditions. Place box fans or oscillating outdoor fans near gathering spaces like patios, porches, or poolsides. The constant air movement disrupts wasp flight patterns and deters them from approaching the area. Fans are a handy mechanical deterrent if wasps become problematic in certain outdoor spots.
Add Traps
Wasp traps lure in and capture wasps, decreasing the overall population. Traps baited with sugary fluids or protein attract wasps but prevent them from escaping. Traps can capture queens in the spring before large nests develop. Placing traps around 30 feet from gathering areas reduces wasps in the vicinity.
Staying Safe if Stung
Even with preventive measures, an occasional wasp may still sneak through and sting. Here is how to respond if stung:
- Use tweezers to remove the stinger immediately by scraping it out sideways.
- Wash the sting with soap and water and apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain.
- Avoid scratching or rubbing the sting to limit venom spread.
- Monitor for signs of allergic reaction like hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
- Take an oral antihistamine to control mild allergic reactions.
- Seek emergency care for severe reactions like trouble breathing or throat swelling.
While wasp stings are unpleasant, quick removal of the stinger and monitoring for allergic reaction reduces the risks. Those with known wasp venom allergies should carry epinephrine auto injectors in case of a sting.
When to Call a Pest Control Professional
In some cases, wasp problems may require professional help:
- If you locate a large wasp nest, especially near entryways, call for removal rather than attempting it yourself.
- If you have been stung repeatedly or have health conditions like bee venom allergies, seek professional help managing wasps on your property.
- If preventive measures are not keeping wasps away from key gathering areas, contact a pest control company to investigate your property and create a tailored deterrent plan.
- If wasps persist in entering your home’s interior, a pest control expert can find and seal entry points.
Licensed pest control technicians have specialized skills in safely removing nests, using powerful wasp repellents, and excluding wasps permanently.
Conclusion
Controlling wasp populations and avoiding stings takes diligence, but is definitely achievable. Natural repellents, maintaining cleanliness, and modifying your property to become less inviting are start. Traps and fans can augment these efforts. Sealing openings, installing screens, and removing food and water prevent wasps from settling in. Staying observant for new nests and calling in professionals when needed can help ensure wasps don’t interfere with enjoying the outdoors. Implementing a combination of these tactics will help you answer the question “what keeps wasps away?” and reclaim your yard from these summer pests.