How to Get Rid of Wasps: Everything You Need to Know
If you've ever had a problem with wasps, you know how annoying and dangerous they can be. These stinging insects seem to show up at the worst times and can cause a lot of damage. In this blog post, we will teach you everything you need to know about wasps so that you can get rid of them for good!
What do wasps look like?
Most people can identify a wasp when they see one, but did you know that there are actually over 30,000 different species of wasps? The most common type of wasp in North America is the yellow jacket. Yellow jackets are about ½ an inch to ¾ of an inch long and have yellow and black stripes. You're most likely to see them during the summer and fall months. Other common types of wasps include paper wasps, hornets, and mud daubers.
What do wasps eat?
Wasps are carnivores and their diet consists of other insects like flies, caterpillars, and beetles. They will also eat nectar from flowers. You'll often see them near garbage cans, as they are attracted to the smell of rotting food.
What attracts wasps?
There are a few things that attract wasps to your property. Wasps are attracted to sweet smells, so they will be drawn to flowers and fruit trees. They are also attracted to the smell of garbage. If you have a garbage can that is not properly sealed, this can attract wasps to your property.
Another thing that can attract wasps is standing water. Wasps need water to build their nests, so if you have a birdbath or other source of standing water on your property, this can be a problem.
What scents keep wasps away?
There are a few scents that can keep wasps away. Those include:
- Mint - Mint plants emit a strong smell that can be off-putting to wasps. You can plant mint around your property as a natural way to keep them away.
- Citrus - Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges can help deter wasps around your yard.
- Peppermint oil - Peppermint oil is one of the most effective essential oils for keeping wasps away.
- Citronella - Citronella oil is also effective, as it has a strong citrus smell that wasps do not like.
How do you get rid of wasps naturally?
There are a few things you can do to get rid of wasps naturally:
- Remove their food source - If you remove the things that attract wasps to your property, they will be less likely to stick around. This includes getting rid of standing water, sweet-smelling flowers, and sealing your garbage.
- Use traps - You can make your own wasp trap using a plastic bottle, some sugar water, and a piece of meat. The wasps will be attracted to the sweet water and then get trapped inside the bottle.
- Make a homemade spray - You can also make a homemade spray to keep wasps away. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray it around the areas where you've seen wasps.
Do pest control companies remove wasps?
Yes, we here at Sound Pest Control do remove wasps. Give our team of wasp exterminators a call and we will be at your home to determine the factors that are leading to an infestation, and how you can best get rid of it.
FAQs
Use Peppermint Oil
What keeps wasps away permanently? ›
Plant mint: Mint is a great way to keep wasps and hornets away. You can plant it in your garden or in pots around your home. Their strong scent is the reason why they don't like it and it will keep them away. Planting mint in your garden will also help to keep other pests away.
What is the fastest way to get rid of wasp? ›
Mix Soap and Water
Dish soap has so many uses, one of which is killing wasps. Fill a spray bottle with water and mix in two tablespoons of dish soap. Spray individual wasps or their nests with the solution. The soap will clog the wasps' pores (which they use to breathe), suffocating and killing them.
What do wasps hate the most? ›
Wasps have a strong sense of smell and dislike certain plants like peppermint, spearmint, basil, eucalyptus, cloves, geranium, thyme, citronella, bay leaves, and lemongrass. They are also repelled by vinegar, cinnamon, coffee grounds, and sliced cucumber.
What is the most effective wasp deterrent? ›
Wasps have an aversion to citrus scents, making citrus peels an effective natural repellent. Place orange, lemon, or grapefruit peels near potential nesting areas or hang them around your outdoor space. This simple and cost-effective method can deter wasps and minimize their presence.
What scent drives wasps away? ›
Citrus - Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges can help deter wasps around your yard. Peppermint oil - Peppermint oil is one of the most effective essential oils for keeping wasps away. Citronella - Citronella oil is also effective, as it has a strong citrus smell that wasps do not like.
What is the best homemade wasp killer? ›
Liquid Dish Soap
Fill a plastic sprayer about halfway with water. Then add a quarter cup of liquid dish soap and gently mix. If any suds bubble to the top, let them come to a rest. Dish soap works to kill wasps by allowing water to get into breathing tubes called spiracles.
What home remedy gets rid of wasps? ›
Peppermint oil: Wasps are repelled by the smell of peppermint oil. You can make a peppermint oil spray by mixing 10 drops of peppermint oil with 1 cup of water. Spray the mixture around your home and garden to keep wasps away. Cayenne pepper: Wasps are also repelled by the smell of cayenne pepper.
What actually kills wasps? ›
The fact is, ordinary liquid soap in a spray bottle works as well as anything I've ever tried when it comes to dropping and killing wasps around the house.
Will wasps return to a sprayed nest? ›
As wasps are flying insects, by spraying a nest, you cannot kill all the wasps, and they, unfortunately, return soon. However, if you spray and remove the nest in time, wasps may not build a new nest in the same location.
Some natural predators of wasps include: Praying mantis. Dragonflies. Centipedes. Birds.
What is a wasps weakness? ›
(Tip: if you've got fallen or rotting fruit on your property, bury it deep in the compost pile.) Wasps' weakness for sweets may work in your favour. Lure them to a dish of water and apple juice laced with dish soap: they'll drown.
Does vinegar keep wasps away? ›
Vinegar's acidity can irritate wasps, dissuading them from returning to treated areas. By mixing water and vinegar in equal parts and applying the solution to areas frequented by wasps, such as outdoor seating areas or entry points to the home, you can effectively deter these pests without resorting to harsh chemicals.
What do exterminators use to prevent wasps? ›
Termidor is simply the best. Wasps forage constantly for new places to nest in the Spring and places to overwinter in the Fall. Treating the structure with a residual insecticide such as Tempo or Suspend will help protection, and will most likely repel them from attempting to nest.
What is the best thing to spray wasps with? ›
Use Soap and Water
Fill a spray bottle with two tablespoons of dish soap and water then spray it onto any wasps nests around your home. This treatment will clog the wasps' pores, killing them almost instantly, Williams says.
How often do you need to spray peppermint oil to keep wasps away? ›
Generally, peppermint oil will last for up to two weeks as a wasp repellent. This is because the oil will evaporate over time, reducing its potency and effectiveness. To ensure that the oil remains effective, it should be reapplied every two weeks.
How to stop wasps from returning? ›
Keep your home clean and free of food and water to discourage wasps from coming around. Plant wasp-repelling plants. There are a number of plants that can help to repel wasps. These include citronella, mint, and marigolds.
How to get rid of wasps in siding? ›
In addition to protective equipment, arm yourself with job-specific tools, like a scraper or wedge to detach the wasp nest from the siding. An angled scraper if your best choice to knock down wasp nests that you can reach with your hands. For cone-shaped hives located on trees or ledges you can use garden hedge shears.
How long will peppermint oil keep wasps away? ›
Peppermint oil is a natural and effective way to repel wasps from your home. It is important to note that peppermint oil is not a permanent solution and will need to be reapplied regularly to maintain its effectiveness. Generally, peppermint oil will keep wasps away for up to two weeks.
