Now that spring has arrived, the weather is starting to warm up and cause more moisture to linger in the outside air. Queen wasps and other pests are coming out of hibernation and will soon be back to causing nuisances to homeowners everywhere. Here, we share tips for deterring wasps during the spring and summer months.
Why Wasps?
Before you make plans to get rid of wasps around your home, you need to know why wasps are there in the first place. Wasps generally hunt for other insects to feed their young, and those insects are usually out to damage your green, lush garden – which makes wasps part of nature’s pest control effort.
The downside is that the habits of wasps make it difficult to live harmoniously with humans. Since they are carnivorous, they are intrinsically attracted to your picnic. Wasps use plant materials, such as wood pulp from trees, and nest in shaded areas, such as on a tree or in the eaves at the edge of an open loft area. Wasps do not lose their stinger when they attack, unlike bees, and they tend to be more hostile when safeguarding their nests.
What Attracts Wasps?
Wasps can harm your family and pets, so you generally want to avoid things that attract these aggressive stingers into your place, such as the following:
- Refuge: Cracks and crevices in your exterior and dead trees that are easy to burrow into provide the perfect nesting place for wasps. Wasps also build their nests in your walls because they offer a safe space from weather elements.
- Food: Wasps feed off insects in your garden just like ladybugs do. Wasps specifically love to eat larvae in your garden soil, although some wasps prefer to eat cicada eggs. If your yard sees a lot of edible bugs, wasps will move in, especially if they can find shelter at the same time.
- Meat: Wasps like leftovers, which is why you typically see them hovering around garbage bins. Wasps thrive on protein and will be delighted to have a taste of the meat scraps you toss in the trash in the middle of the day.
- Sweets: Virtually all insects love sugary food, and wasps are no exception. When the weather turns bitterly cold, wasps will turn to sweets like fallen fruits and empty soda cans instead.
- Flowers: In the spring, trees turn green and flowers start blooming. You want bees to pollinate, but wasps will offer a helping hand as well. It is particularly the nectar in flowers that attracts them.
How Do You Deter Wasps?
It looks like homes are set up to invite wasps. What exactly can you do to have them leave you?
- Hang wasp traps. Wasp traps are one of the most affordable and effective ways to get rid of wasps in your yard. These traps contain a liquid that attracts wasps. When wasps crawl into the trap near your seamless gutters, for example, they won’t be able to fly out, leaving them to drown. A wasp trap, however, accumulates dead wasps and can be unpleasant to look at. Be sure to replace it regularly and hang it far from your outdoor living areas.
- Spray insecticide on wasp nests. If you spot an active nest around your residence, spray it with a store-bought insecticide. Do not forget to wear protective clothing and kill the nest in the late evening when the wasps are dormant. Re-spray the nest over the course of a few days if necessary.
- Use a mixture of soap and water. A great alternative to a store-bought wasp nest spray is a mixture of soap and water. You can do this in your kitchen. Simply pour two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid into a spray bottle of water, and use it to get rid of wasp nests. The mixture will clog the breathing pores of the wasps, killing them instantly.
- Hang a fake wasp nest. A group of wasps is fierce and territorial, and would not want to interact with other wasps. Early in the spring season, hang a fake wasp nest in areas in your garden where wasps have nested in the past. Wasps that are scoping the place will see it and avoid building nests in the area. Some homeowners use an inflated lantern-like paper bag as a decoy.
- Create homemade traps. To build a wasp trap, cut off the top of a large soda bottle and add a few inches of soda, fruit juice or any other sugary beverage to the bottom. Then, invert and replace the top and hang the homemade trap in your garden.
- Do not leave leftovers. If you are planning to eat outdoors with your family and friends, make sure to keep it clean. Wash up after spills and clean off your barbeque grill on the patio or deck. Most importantly, do not leave spoiling food outside. A bulk of rotten fruit under a tree or an overflowing compost pile can be an incentive for wasps to take a visit in your backyard.
- Watch for activity in nesting sites. Take a quick stroll around your home. Do you see spots on the porch that could provide shelter from the elements? They could be a potential nesting spot for wasps. To prevent this, seal and repair any cracks, damaged screens, door frames, dampers and vents. You will not be able to eliminate every single nesting spot so keep an eye out for others. This way, you will be able to get rid of the nests if wasps do decide to build one.
- Reduce building materials. Wasps feel at home in slightly damp environments that are filled with wood-based materials. For example, a gutter clogged with fallen leaves and twigs next to deteriorating siding provides a perfect place for a colony of wasps. This is why it is important to keep your gutters and downspouts clean all year round as it reduces the materials that wasps can build their homes on.
How to Keep Wasps Out of Gutters
Once you have confirmed that wasps have made their nest in your gutters, you can take the necessary steps to remove it. First, wear a mask to protect yourself from inhaling the pesticide treatment you are going to use. Your skin should also be covered to avoid getting stung by wasps when they are defending their nest.
The best time to spray the product onto the nest is early at night. Spray the nest thoroughly so you can kill the majority of the colony. You want the wasps to come into contact with the pesticide as they try to escape. You may need to repeat this step for three to four days and stop once the activity of the wasps has calmed down.
It is also vital that you keep your gutters clean. Installing gutter guards is a great investment for your home if you want to reduce the time and effort you spend on clearing out your gutters. With the smooth flow of rainwater or snowmelt through your gutters, you can prevent a myriad of structural and health risks, such as mold growth, wood rot and pest infestation. Clean your gutters at least twice a year, once in the spring and the fall, to keep wasps from making a nest there. Without debris to conceal them, wasps will not deem it safe to build a nest. You will also keep birds, squirrels and other insects out of your backyard with regularly cleaned gutters.