There’s a sting in the air in spring. Wasps are out in force, and your backyard barbecue could be attracting these unwanted visitors. You might be tempted to use chemical pesticides, but there are natural deterrents to wasps intent on joining your outdoor gathering.
Although not generally considered beneficial insects, some wasp species are important pollinators. Wasps also provide pest control by feeding on harmful insects, including aphids, caterpillars and beetles that can harm crops. They can be annoying, but their presence is one of the reasons spiders and other pests don’t overwhelm your garden. manager where they are, without killing them.
The most important thing you can do is make your home and garden less attractive to wasps. They make nests near reliable sources of food and in nooks and crannies, such as the rafters of a house. Here are some ways to reduce the likelihood of wasps coming to your garden or house to nest.
Don’t invite the wasps to dinner
For starters, don’t leave food where the wasps can reach it, including pet food. You’ve probably seen wasps nibbling on a burger or steak, but adult wasps eat sugars. However, they collect protein, especially meat, to feed their young, so many kinds of food attract them.
If you grill or eat on your patio, be sure to cover the dishes with food. After the meal, carefully clean up leftover food so that the table is not attractive to wasps looking for food.
If you compost, don’t put meat in your garden pile. It’s a health risk and also likely to attract wasps and other unwanted visitors. Rotting fruit in your compost will also attract wasps. We recommend placing your compost pile away from areas you frequent, turning it over regularly, and being aware that wasps may visit you when tending to the compost.
Seal probable nest sites
Then, seal cracks and holes large enough for wasps to squeeze through. Wasps are known to make nests in the wallsand keeping them away is the best way to avoid an unexpected and unpleasant encounter with these angry, biting insects.
Take the time to research areas that need to be sealed before you discover an active nest. If the wasps are already in the wall, do not seal them off. They will try to find other exits, which could lead to the swarm appearing inside your house.
If you find a wasp nest in your wall, get a professional to remove them. Sealing them will not keep the wasps contained or kill them. They can make their way again.
Make your home unwelcoming to wasps
If you find wasp nests in the same place every year, there are natural deterrents that can help.
Mix either peppermint essential oil or a combination of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils with soapy water and spray it on the area to discourage them from coming back. The oils will not harm the wasps but will make them less likely to choose to build a nest there again.
Some plants are natural wasp repellents. Growing them in your garden or in pots around your house helps keep pests away without using harmful chemicals. A variety of herbs repel wasps, including spearmint, thyme, lemongrass, basil, and lemongrass. If you are looking for flowering plants, marigolds, geraniums and pennyroyals also help repel wasps.
coexist peacefully
Wasps can be pests, but they serve a purpose in nature. If we can avoid killing them, we should. These simple wasp prevention methods discourage wasps from nesting in your home. And by using natural deterrents, you can avoid harmful pesticides and co-exist peacefully – and separately – from wasps.
