The Best Wasp Deterrents to Keep Your Home and Garden Safe
The cleanliness we work hard to maintain in our homes is sometimes not enough to shoo insects away from our properties. It is really disgusting when, on one relaxation day, you suddenly see wasps roaming around you in the garden and find their nest actually present in your outdoor space!
Wasps are insects with painful stings and can pose a serious health risk if you are allergic to their venom. They build their nests from chewed wood pulp or just nest in the ground, hollow stems, or burrow into wood. Wasps are helpful in the ecosystem, but their aggressive defense of nests can harm humans.
How to get rid of wasps nest? DIY and professional pest control are methods available to eliminate them. But actually, there are effective ways to deter these insects in the first place and keep your home and garden safe.
Decoy Wasp Nests
As territorial creatures, wasps avoid building a nest in areas where there are already existing colonies. So, by hanging decoy wasp nests in strategic locations around your garden, you prevent them from making their own nest in the same area. You can buy a decoy nest online or in garden stores.
Essential Oils
Do you want to use natural wasp repellents? Mix a few drops of essential oil (peppermint, lemongrass, and clove) with water and a small amount of dish soap and spray this mixture around windows, doors, and outdoor seating areas.
Wasp Traps
Traps can effectively control the wasp population, for they cannot escape once caught. Commercial traps use sweet bait to lure them, while you can also make your own DIY trap by using plastic bottle, sugar water, and a bit of dish soap. However, do not place the trap where you usually stay to avoid attracting wasps too close.
Seal Entry Points
You have to seal any gaps around windows, doors, and vents, or you can also install fine mesh screens to prevent wasps from finding their passage to your home.
Plant Wasp-Repelling Plants
Some plants are also natural deterrents. Plant mint, citronella, and eucalyptus in your garden or around seating areas and near entry points.
Use Vinegar Solutions
Do you prefer a cheap and still effective way to repel wasps? Then try vinegar. A mixture of equal parts of water and vinegar will create a strong smell that will keep wasps away without harming other beneficial insects. Spray them to areas where wasps are likely to gather.
Regular Maintenance
Of course, cleanliness will always be a strong deterrent to keeping your home and its surroundings from insects like wasps. Always keep your outdoor space clean, make it a practice to cover your trash bins tightly, and clean up food spills immediately. Exposed food scraps, sugary drinks, and garbage are conditions that are very attractive to them. Periodically check under eaves, sheds, and trees if wasps have already started building their nest, remove them as soon as possible to prevent larger colonies from appearing.
By using these deterrents, you can create a safer environment for you and your family. Taking proactive steps now will save you from dealing with a more serious wasp invasion later.
