It’s difficult to enjoy a summer barbecue or an evening outside on the patio with wasps and hornets buzzing around. They’re called pests for a reason, right?
But before you reach for an expensive store-bought solution, you may want to consider a different approach. Just as there are natural repellents for mosquitoes and clever ideas to keep flies away, there are also DIY solutions for keeping the wasps at bay.
Make a Natural Wasp Repellent with Citrus
This trick is so simple—and you only need two ingredients to pull it off. To get started, grab an ordinary lemon. Then raid your spice rack for a small handful of cloves—yes, the aromatic cloves you use to stud a holiday ham. Slice the lemon in half cross-wise and stick a bunch of cloves into the exposed flesh. Then, set the lemon halves on a dish wherever you want to keep wasps and bees away. Goodbye, pests!
While wasps might hate the scent of citrus and cloves, it’s certainly pleasant for humans.
Use Paper Bags to Repel Wasps
To double-up on ways to repel wasps or to try a new method, this hack will come in handy. It’s all about tricking the wasps into thinking there’s already another hive! Because wasps are territorial, they’ll typically steer clear if they see another nest. TikTok creator @howdoesshe sets up a puffed-up paper bag that resembles a nest to trick the wasps and deter any unwanted buzzing.
More Ways to Keep Wasps Away
If you’re searching for more ways to keep wasps out of the backyard, there are plenty of other options. Everything from wasp traps and bug zappers will prove to be helpful products for keeping bugs away. Plus, they can repel more than just wasps, keeping mosquitoes, flies and other bugs from ruining your outdoor picnic or patio time.
FAQs
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 best wasp repellent? ›
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.
Does coffee grounds keep wasp away? ›
Not only can coffee keep mosquitoes away, but several other “bite-y” and “sting-y” flying insects like bees, wasps, and hornets also find coffee repulsive. Clearly, they don't know what they're missing—but we'll use their astonishing lack of taste to our advantage.
What is the best homemade wasp killer? ›
Lemon Extract. Lemon extract is an effective wasp killer and pesticide. For the best results, combine 3 tablespoons of lemon extract and 1 cup of water.
What keeps wasps away from porch? ›
Place wasp-repelling plants around your home and porch
Such plants can include wormwood, marigold, mint, basil, pennyroyal, and geranium.
What repels wasps from the area? ›
Clove-Geranium-Lemongrass Oil Blend
Mix several drops of each oil with water and dish soap in a spray bottle and coat areas on the outside of your home where wasps like to build nests: under eaves, porch roofs and other ledges and crevices.
What can I spray on my deck to keep wasps away? ›
The typical store-bought bug spray is the best at killing off existing wasp colonies—if there is one near your deck, spray the wasp nest down at night as they will be resting around this time. You can also make wasp repellent at home with a mix of water, dish soap, and white vinegar.
Does vinegar keep wasps away? ›
Wasps also don't like vinegar. As a wasp deterrent, some people place an equal mix of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. They then spray the wasps to get them away.
What color does wasp hate? ›
Wasps like bright shades of color, such as yellows and whites. They're sometimes attracted to blues or blacks, but they can't see the color red. This is a color you should avoid altogether. They also hate the smell of basil and garlic, so drop some cloves in a potted basil plant to keep them out.
What smell kills wasps? ›
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.
Agitation – Wasps are like humans in some ways - they get annoyed. However, this is normally linked to them feeling threatened. The constant waving of arms while trying to get rid of a wasp can make it feel this way.
What does Dawn dish soap do to wasps? ›
Soapy water can be an effective home remedy for getting rid of wasps and is also an environmentally friendly option for wasp management. Some wasp removal experts say that you can handle small hanging nests with soap and water wasp spray as this method gets rid of the wasp infestation by suffocating them.
What vinegar kills wasps? ›
In conclusion, apple cider vinegar is great for creating a vinegar trap to kill occasional wasps lingering in your yard, but white vinegar, usually perfect for homemade bug sprays, is best avoided when trying to target them at the source.
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.
Why do wasps keep coming back to my house? ›
So, for example, if you have open cans of soda or juice, ripe fruits, and other sweet food sources, they will attract wasps. Make sure to cover any drinks and open food containers, and keep a lid on the trash can. Light sources in your house at night can also attract any flying insects, including wasps, into your home.
Does vinegar really repel wasps? ›
Wasps also don't like vinegar. As a wasp deterrent, some people place an equal mix of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. They then spray the wasps to get them away.
