Wasps and yellow jackets can make spending time outside awful. As far as flying insects go, finding a wasp nest near your home is about as stressful as it gets... but moving them on their way isn't impossible.
To keep them away takes proactive work and prevention, clean-up, and safe deterrents, you can reduce the chance of wasp infestations around your home.
Spotting and Removing Early Wasp Nests
If you're only reading this far, take note: The sooner you notice a nest, the easier it is to deal with it.
Paper wasps, yellow jackets, mud daubers, and even the European Hornet all build nests in places like wall voids, wooden structures, and near outdoor light bulbs.
"If you begin to see the early signs of a wasp nest being built on your property or just happen to notice that a large number of them seem to be hanging around, have a professional come take a look so they can dispel the situation before it ever becomes a major problem," recommends Jason Burkhart, Managing Director at Critter Control.
When a nest is large, professional help is often the safest option. They have access to aerosol wasp spray, bifenthrin concentrate, and other wasp killers that most homeowners should avoid handling themselves.
If you've had nests in the pasts, consider it your job to be proactive: Some people use decoy nests to discourage new colonies from settling nearby, or find and spray a "new construction" nest at the very first sign of existence.
How to Keep Wasps Away From House Food Sources
Wasps and yellow jackets search for food waste, sugar, and protein. That means open trash cans, compost bins, and recycling bins are easy targets. It's when they're getting short on food sources that they get testy.
"To keep wasps away from your home, you should be sure to have outdoor trash bins that close tightly, as wasps are attracted to food scraps, trash and sugary drinks," notes Burkhart. "Make sure you’re not attracting them to your home with any of these things."
He cautions again, underscoring the importance of keeping food sources under wraps, "Once they identify your home as a reliable source of sugar or other resources, it can be difficult to dispel them."
To cut down on food sources:
- Keep garbage bins and trash cans sealed
- Avoid leaving food waste outdoors
- Rinse recycling bins often
- Keep compost bins covered
- For outdoor meals, clean spills quickly and cover sugary drinks. Even small spills can draw worker wasps to your patio.
Natural Wasp Repellents and Pest Management Options
Not every solution has to involve harsh chemicals. Many homeowners use wasp repellents that include essential oils.
- Peppermint oil, in particular, is a popular choice. Some mix a few drops into a spray bottle with water and mist it around doors, windows, or wooden structures. Brands like Aura Cacia and Eden's Garden sell concentrated oils often used for this purpose.
- Wasp-repelling plants such as mint, wormwood, and citronella are also used to make outdoor spaces less appealing to these pests.
- If natural repellents aren’t enough, pest management professionals can step in. Wasps are beneficial and play a role in controlling other insects; however, they become a problem when nests are close to human activity.
FAQ
Can WD-40 be used to repel wasps?
Some homeowners spray WD-40 around outdoor spaces to deter wasps from nesting. While it may stop them temporarily, it isn’t a long-term solution. For serious infestations, it’s better to use proper wasp traps, cleaning products, or hire a pest control expert.
How can I tell the difference between wasps, yellow jackets, and bees?
Burkhart explained to us that at first glance, wasps and yellow jackets may look like bees, but they have distinct features. Bumble bees are rounder and fuzzier. Wasps are more slender, smooth, and angular. Yellowjackets fall under the wasp category and often look like smaller, striped versions of them.
What should I do if I get stung by a wasp?
Most wasp stings can be treated at home with soap, water, and a cold compress. Most importantly, remain calm.
- Remove the stinger. If it's not visible, our go-to is using a tool like Bug Bite Thing to suction the sting itself. Relief is almost instantaneous in my experience.
- Clean the area with soap and water to prevent infection.
- Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the bite. This helps reduce swelling and relieves itching.
- If necessary, hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion can also help with itching.
- Soma Mandal, MD, Board Certified Internist, Summit Health notes for us that reactions to wasp stings can vary, but using oral antihistamine like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or Zyrtec (cetirizine) can help reduce itching and allergic reactions.
Are outdoor lights attracting wasps at night?
Yes, certain species like the European Hornet and bald-faced hornet may fly toward outdoor light bulbs. If this is a problem, consider switching to yellow-tinted bulbs that are less attractive to flying insects.
