Tips On How to Get Rid of Wasp

Wasp like other insects (beneficial insects, pollinators, and bad bugs or garden insect pests) show up in our yards or gardens in search of a food source a water source, and a place to raise their young. Wasps are considered beneficial insects because, for example, paper wasps use caterpillars, spiders, flies, beetle larvae, and other insects as a food source. Wasps help to bring balance to our ecosystem through their presence and contribution, there are estimated to be “more than 3000 species of wasps worldwide”

Among some of these groups of wasps are Yellow jackets, Paper wasps, Baldfaced hornets, Cuckoo wasps, Horntail wasps, Potter wasps, Hornets, Scoliid wasps, Parasitoid wasps, Spider wasps, etc…. the natural habitat for wasps are wetlands, forest, meadows, parks, woodlands, orchards, gardens, yards urban areas, etc…

It’s believed that “98.5% of the wasp species are solitary non-stinging varieties” and while this may be true their presence causes many to jump into quick action to eliminate them. Several wasps or a swarm of that’s building a nest is a reason for concern because that species of wasps may be the stinging type.

If you have a wasps issue where a huge nest is being built then it’s best to call the professional that is trained in wasps control if you can’t do the job yourself. Below we will be discussing several methods for removing wasps’ nests including how to deter wasps from your yard and garden.

Where do Wasps Build Their Nest

In most cases when wasps show up and are hanging around is a sign that they found the environment to be a haven to construct their nest here are some choice spots.

• Shutters
• Under house eaves
• Under open windows
• Sheds
• Hollow trees
• Gates
• Wooden window frames
• Fence panels
• In a Thick growing shrub
• Trees
• Roof rafters
• Garden structures
• Underground burrows
• Utility boxes
• Outdoor equipment
• Electrical fixtures
• Outdoor furniture

These are just some of the more common areas where wasps construct their nest.

What is a Wasps Nest Constructed From

Have you ever come across an abandoned waste nest felt the texture and wondered what the nest was constructed from I know I did on several occasions. There are lots of materials wasps use to construct their nests but the most common material is paper pulp. The material is created with the use of raw wood and the wasp’s saliva. To start the nest, the queen wasp chooses a suitable site and searches for sources of wood fiber, such as fences, logs, trees, houses, cardboard boxes, etc… the female uses her jaws to remove bits of wood fiber.

With the wood product in her mouth, the queen’s saliva breaks down the wood fibers until they form a soft paper pulp that she can then manipulate. Eventually, she will begin constructing the nest at the building site. Once worker wasps start to become fully grown, which takes about three weeks, they will assist the queen in expanding the nest.

Call the Professional

Note: A disturbed nest is very dangerous and the wasps will defend their territory so caution should be taken when seeking to take down a wasps nest especially one that is good size.  Sometimes the nest may be built in hard-to-reach areas. It’s best to leave the removal of a wasps to the professionals.

Wear Saftey Clothing

Safety is always first especially if you’re dealing with a situation that can put your well-being at risk, Safety clothing should be worn before attempting the removal of a wasp nest. Safety gear includes.

• Thick garden gloves
• Closed-toe shoes
• Wearing thick clothing, long sleeves pants and shirts
• The use of  a beekeeping veil or a hooded jacket to protect your face and head

1. Wasps Spray

An insecticide that’s labeled for wasps will bring the nest down, these can sprays should only be used on a single wasp or small wasp nest. Foam sprays labeled for wasps can also be used. When spraying a wasp nest don’t stand directly under the nest or close to the nest but at a safe distance before spray application. Different Insecticides have a different reach depending on where you are standing so make sure to read directions before use.

2. Hang a Wasp Trap

Wasps traps are effective in wasps control, these traps can be hung in areas where wasps are seen, these traps contain a liquid that attracts wasps. Once the wasps crawl into the trap they will get stuck and drown.

3. A Mixture of Soap and Water

Fill a spray bottle with water and mix 2 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.

4. Essentials Oils

Mix several drops of glove geranium, lemongrass and peppermint oil with dish soap and water in a 32 oz spray bottle next apply this solution to areas on the outside of your home where wasps build their nests for example crevices, porch roofs, under eaves, ledges and other areas. This mixture can also be applied to garden plants and will eliminate garden insect pests if they are present.

5. Wasps Repellant Plants

Wasps hate the smell of certain plants, and the installation of some of these plants will lessen the chance of wasps visiting your yard or if wasps show up will not hang around for long. some plants that fall in this group are.

• Bay leaves
• Spearmint
•  Basil
• Lemongrass
• Geranium
• Citronella
• Thyme
• Cloves
• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint

How to Deter Wasps from Your Yard

1. Keep your Garden Clean

Like Bees wasps are attracted to the sweet juice that is found in fruits, any fallen fruit in your garden should be removed which will help to lessen the chance of the presence of wasps.

2. Ensure that your Trash Cans are Covered

Trash cans that are filled with garbage and left exposed or without a lid will not only attract wasps because of scraps of food items but will also attract flies, roaches, ants and rodents so make sure that your trash cans have tightly fitted covers.

3. Keep Sweet Drinks Covered

Wasps and bees love sweet drinks, don’t leave sweet drinks that are out in the open uncovered and unattended can attract wasps and bees. It is a good idea to pour your soda and other sweet drinks into a cup and cover to discourage wasps.

4. Keep Foods Covered

Wasps like bees are attracted to sugary foods, when eating outdoors keep pastries and other foods covered to prevent wasps.

5. Patch Up Cracks

Patch up cracks to deter wasps from your home, repair holes in window screens, seal up tiny cracks around the edges of sidings, and where water pipes or power lines enter your home.

6. Hang a False Wasps Nest

wasps are very territorial and won’t live near other nests, blow up a paper lunch bag, seal it up to keep in the air, and hang the lunch bag under your eaves to fool wasps or purchase a fake or decoy wasps nest to deter wasps.

Note: Once all of the wasps are dead including some that may fly away remove the nest and place it in a plastic bag, seal the bag, and dispose of the nest.

Conclusion

The presence of wasps in your yard or garden can be a bitter-sweet experience because, on the one hand, they will help to control garden insect pests using them as a food source but can cause harmful stings when their paths are crossed and they feel threatened.  The first measure of control is trying to deter them by cutting off their food and water source also making your surroundings including your home unattractive to them. But if a wasps nest is discovered then these listed control meassure will work or call in a professional to do the job for you.