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How to keep wasps off your porch


How to keep wasps away from your porch: for good |

Springtime marks the start of nesting season – and with that comes the question of how to keep wasps away from your porch. Despite being valuable pollinators, these notorious insects have something of a reputation, so it is only natural to want to deter them from the entrance of your home. 

Knowing how to get rid of wasps in all parts of the home may feel like a pressing issue, but your porch is one of the most important places to keep insect-free. This space is often frequented by your family, friends, and guests – so you're going to want to know how to keep this species away. 

Why are wasps attracted to your porch?  

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'During the summer months, wasps are desperately trying to find a place to place a nest. Most people's porches are great spots for this because of the many corners and cover that the roofs over these porches can provide,' explains Pest Control Expert Kevin Behe from TermMax .  

The expert explains that wasps need two important things to make a home on your porch a source of protein for their young to feed on – and carbohydrates to fuel themselves. Therefore, he suggests keeping these in mind when planning your front porch ideas this summer. 

According to Kevin, their primary source of carbs comes from nectar-producing plants, especially flowers, that are common on all porches. 'Wasps will hunt spiders, aphids, and other small insects for food for their young. Keeping spider webs cleaned off the porch and other bugs away will deter wasps', he says. 

How to keep wasps away from your porch – 3 expert tips to keep them at bay

These are not the only factors you need to remember when keeping this insect away from your porch. The expert expands below. 

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1. Use ultrasonic pest repellers

If you've ever had to look for how to get rid of mice or other common pests, then you may already know about the power of an ultrasonic pest repeller.  

'If you're looking for a method that does not involve chemicals, this is the way to go. Ultrasonic pest repellers emit a sound that humans won't hear, but wasps cannot stand,' Jake says. This will deter other animals, too, so your porch will be pest-free throughout the season. 

2. Keep pet food away from the porch  

If you're living with pets, then you'll be aware of the strong scent that comes with pet food. And while it may seem like a good idea to bring your dog or cat food outside (especially in summer when they spend more time outdoors), it could be a problem in the long run. 

'Wasps thrive on pet food. The easiest fix here would be to keep it away from your porch,' the expert warns. Removing pet food dishes is also a winning strategy in getting rid of rats and banishing raccoons, too.

3. Surround your porch with the right plants 

While some plants (particularly nectar-producing species) may attract wasps, other kitchen garden ideas effectively deter the insect.  

'Some good examples are mint, citronella, lemongrass, and spearmint. The good news is they're very low-maintenance, so you don't need a green thumb,' he adds.  

(Image credit: GettyImages)

What smells will keep wasps away?  

Jake shared that citronella, mint, and lemongrass are great front and back porch ideas that will keep wasps away. But what is the best way to introduce these scents to your space? 

'Citronella oil is a popular choice, as it's known for repelling insects,' recommends Paul Dinham, a wasp expert from Bee Life . He suggests diffusing the oil near your porch or applying it directly to the area. 'Other smells that work include eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil,' he says. 

Do dryer sheets keep wasps away? 

Yes, they do. If you're wondering how to keep wasps away from your porch using dryer sheets, then the process is easy. 'Simply place a sheet or two near where the wasps congregate, and they should stay away,' Paul says. So, there are even more benefits to air-drying your laundry this summertime.

15 Ways on How to Keep Wasps Away from Deck, Porch, and Pool

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While wasps are important parts of the environment, most people don’t want much to do with them. This is especially true on warm summer days spent lounging on the deck or porch, or sitting by the pool.

Simply having wasps buzzing around can turn a fun time into an anxiety-inducing one. Plus, if wasps decide to nest nearby, the situation could even be dangerous.

Luckily, you can keep wasps away from your deck, porch, and pool. If you don’t know where to begin, here are 15 solid options.

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How to Keep Wasps Away from Your Deck, Porch, and Pool

1. Hang Decoy Wasp Nests

If your biggest concern is paper wasps, consider putting up a decoy wasp nest. Wasps are territorial by nature. If they see a nest nearby, they aren’t going to hang around.

With a decoy nest, you are making wasps think that there’s a colony in the area. By using a couple of paper nests, you decrease the odds that wasps will make a home near your yard or even fly through looking for food.

However, this approach typically works best in the spring. That’s the time when wasps set up new nests. If you wait until after the wasps have created a nest to put up a decoy, it probably won’t work. You’ll have to try the approach next year to see results.

2. Use an Ultrasonic Pest Repeller

No products found.Another deterrent-based approach involves using an No products found., a non-toxic, non-chemical approach to keeping wasps away. The device plugs in and, once turned on, produces high-frequency sounds and wavelengths.

While humans can’t hear or detect the soundwaves, many pests can. Along with possibly keeping wasps at bay, it may also discourage mosquitos, spiders, ants, roaches, and other bugs from coming around. Often, it even works on rodents, which is a nice bonus.

Just be aware that some of the high-powered versions are audible, even to people. That setting is usually only a good option if you won’t be home, so keep that in mind.

Additionally, your pets may be able to detect some of the lower power settings. That could make them uncomfortable while the device is operating, so you may not want to go this route if you have pets.

3. Create a “Wasp Plate”

If you plan on hosting a barbecue or having a picnic, the food you plan on eating could attract wasps. Once they realize there’s a meal available around your deck, patio, or yard, you’ll see more arrive for a snack.

But, by creating a wasp plate, you can reduce the odds that they’ll interrupt your meal. Take a small piece of raw meat and set it far away from deck, porch, or patio about one hour before your gathering. The idea is to let the wasps find that plate, attracting them to a spot away from where you’re going to be.

If you want to go the extra mile, make sure you don’t have your food outside for any longer than necessary. By cleaning up quickly, you limit the chances that a wasp will think your yard is an excellent place for a meal.

4. Add a Water Source

Wasps may stop by your pool for a simple reason; they are thirsty. Water is essential for them, so wasps seek our reliable sources while they are flying around.

If you want to keep wasps from seeing your pool like a drinking fountain, consider providing an alternative water source. It will make your pool a less attractive option for getting a drink.

One of the easiest approaches is to install a birdbath in a far corner of your yard. Just make sure to change the water out regularly. Otherwise, it could become stagnate, creating a breeding ground for another annoying pest: mosquitos.

5. Cover Your Pool When Not in Use

Another step to make sure your pool isn’t a water source for wasps is to cover it when it isn’t in use. With a pool cover in place, reaching the water becomes difficult. As a result, fewer wasps will attempt to crawl under it to get a sip.

Just make sure that you choose a pool cover with a decent amount of weight. By doing so, the edges will stay down easier, decreasing the chances that gaps will form that wasps can fit through without an issue.

Additionally, secure it properly. If you want to cover to be effective, it needs to stay put. If you don’t secure it, a windy day may be all it takes to shift the cover and reveal the pool beneath.

6. Set Up Wasp Traps

No products found.With a wasp trap, you entice the insects into a container by offering up a food source. Then, once inside, they can’t get back out. That means they won’t be buzzing around your deck, porch, or patio.

Usually, you have two choices for wasp traps. First, you can make your own using an empty two-liter bottle. This approach is economical but can be a bit unsightly.

Second, you can buy premade wasp traps. You can find No products found. as well as disposable wasp traps, giving you some options.

With either homemade or reusable traps, you’ll need to create bait. Usually, sugar water, apple cider vinegar, or a bit of beer are enough to do the trick.

7. Make a Natural Repellent Spray

Peppermint, clove, lemongrass, and geranium oils deter wasps. The same goes for white vinegar.

If you want to keep wasps away or discourage them from building nests in specific areas, natural repellent sprays are a great choice. If you’re going to go the vinegar route, get a spray bottle, and use a 50/50 split of white vinegar and water. Add two drops of dish soap, give it a shake, and spray the areas.

For the oil route, fill a spray bottle with water. Add two drops of dish soap and ten drops of clove, lemongrass, or geranium oil. You could use a combination of oils, too. Once in place, tighten the lids and give the bottle a shake before spraying liberally around your deck, porch, or pool.

8. Add the Right Plants to Your Garden

Essential oils aren’t the only way to keep wasps from making your deck, porch, or pool area home. By adding the right plants to your garden, you can accomplish a similar goal.

Mint, spearmint, lemongrass, citronella, thyme, and eucalyptus can make your space less attractive to wasps. Plus, they are relatively easy to care for, making them good choices for anyone regardless of whether they have a green thumb.

Whether you plant them in the ground or containers doesn’t matter. Just spread them out in your yard, and you could see fewer wasps.

9. Clean Up After Fruit-Producing Plants

Wasps like fruit, especially in the fall and winter. If you have fruit-bearing plants, fallen fruit serves as a meal for wasps.

Once the fruit ripens, try to collect it from the tree or bush. That way, you have a chance to enjoy it while ensuring it doesn’t become a snack of buzzing pests.

If you have fallen fruit on the ground, clean it up quickly. Otherwise, there’s a decent chance nearby wasps will stop by for a bite.

10. Take Down or Relocate Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbird nectar is essentially colored sugar water. Not only will the feeders attract hummingbirds, but they can also be attractive meal options for bees and wasps.

If you want to keep wasps away from your deck, patio, or pool, make sure that the feeders aren’t nearby. Move them to remote sections of your yard where you won’t be bothered if wasps stop by for a snack.

If you don’t have enough space in your yard to relocate the feeders, then you might have to take them down entirely. There’s no way to keep the nectar from potentially attracting wasps, so it may be your only choice.

11. Don’t Leave Pet Food Outside

Pet food can attract wasps because they can use the pellets or wet food to feed themselves. While it may be more convenient to feed your cat or dog outdoors, you don’t want to leave the bowls out. This is especially true if they aren’t empty.

Feeding your pets indoors is typically the easiest way to avoid attracting wasps. It prevents any food from being accessible, including spilled or dropped pieces. However, letting them enjoy their meal and then immediately carrying the dishes back inside can also work.

If you have to feed your pet outdoors and leave the dishes outside, keep them as far away from your deck, porch, or pool as possible. That way, if they do attract wasps, the pests won’t be near the areas you want to enjoy.

12. Avoid Swatting Wasps

When you see a wasp, you’re probably tempted to give it a whack. You may figure out that killing it is the best choice. The trick is, killing wasps can actually be a bad idea because doing so potentially attracts more into your yard.

Wasps release pheromones when they are dying or die, especially if they are attacked. It alerts other wasps to a threat, which, in this case, is you. Sometimes, those pheromones attract more wasps. They swoop in, trying to defend a nearby nest.

If you want to keep wasps away, don’t risk killing them near your deck, porch, or pool. Resist the urge to swat and use other approaches instead, like wasp traps and deterrent sprays.

13. Close Up Holes

Wasps usually explore properties looking for safe spaces, especially when they are trying to nest in the spring or want to hide away for the winter. In some cases, these insects may make a home in a gap in your house, deck, or porch. For ground wasps, holes in your yard can be inviting, as well.

If you want to keep wasps away, make sure they don’t next on your property. Check your home, porch, deck, pool area, and yard, filling any holes you find. This includes cracks or crevices near the ground, as not all wasps need high areas to feel secure.

14. Relocate Garbage Cans

Garbage, recycling, and compost piles can be all be food sources for wasps. If you leave your cans near your deck, porch, or pool, there’s a decent chance you’ll see pests coming by looking for a snack. By relocating your bins and compost away from the parts of your yard you want to use, you reduce your wasp encounters.

Additionally, if your garbage can lid isn’t on tight, wasps can easily squeeze inside for a meal. The same goes for recycling bins, especially if there are containers that once held sugary foods or drinks, like soda cans or bottles. Make sure your lids are on as tightly as possible.

15 Get Professional Treatments

Sometimes, hiring a pest control specialist is your best choice. This is especially true if you have a large, active nest on your property.

While there are DIY approaches to getting rid of wasp nests, doing so is always dangerous. It doesn’t matter if it’s day time or night, or what method you use. Once the wasps become agitated, they may attack.

Pest control specialists have the right equipment and treatment options for a variety of wasps. They can handle the nest correctly, all while you stay a safe distance away.

Additionally, pest control experts can apply preventative treatments. Once in place, the chance that wasps will return goes down substantially.

Conclusion

Ultimately, keeping wasps away from your deck, porch, or pool doesn’t have to be a challenge. With the tips above, you should be able to handle it with ease.

I hope you enjoyed the list above. If you’d like to share your thoughts, including more tips for keeping wasps away, please head to the comments section below. Also, pass this list along to anyone who would enjoy a wasp-free yard; they’ll be happy you did.

Eugene Sokol

Eugene has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others. He is passionately interested in home improvement, renovation and woodworking.

How to get rid of wasps in the house and prevent their appearance

Wasps are useful. These are one of the gardener's best assistants, because, in addition to berries and fruits, they feed on fly larvae and garden pests. So it’s not worth fighting these insects if they just live on the site. At least until there are too many of them. Another thing is if the wasps settled in the house. Then you need to get rid of them. And as soon as possible.

Where do wasps come from and how can they be prevented?

There are two things that attract wasp people to their homes: food and warmth. They are very fond of sweets and fruits, especially fermented ones, so a jar of jam that is not washed in time can become a real magnet for these insects. They do not disdain fish and meat, and they are more attracted to products with rottenness. Therefore, if you do not want wasps to start in the house:

With the second reason for the appearance of wasps in a private house - heat - it is difficult to do something. These insects cannot regulate body temperature, so they are attracted to places that are closed from the wind and keep warm at night: hollow trees, heaps of garbage, attics, underground, voids in ceilings and walls.

It is not guaranteed to avoid the appearance of wasp nests - it is impossible to make the house completely airtight. But it is possible to reduce the likelihood of “entry” of striped tenants. It is enough to seal as many gaps in building structures as possible.

For example, wasps in the wall of a house can settle under two conditions. First, there must be space between the wall and the sheathing to accommodate the nest. Secondly, a gap is needed through which an insect can enter this space. There will be no this gap - there will be no wasps in the wall.

How to get rid of wasps in the house?

If the precautions did not help, and wasps appeared at home, then to get rid of them:

But before you start fighting insects, take care of your own safety. Do not approach a hornet's nest without preparation - it is deadly!

Safety

Wasps are stinging insects. Unlike bees, which can only sting once and then die, wasps can attack repeatedly, injecting venom with each attack until it runs out. Moreover, in the event of a threat, the insect releases a special pheromone that causes other wasps to attack. And if there are a lot of wasps in the house or a whole beehive nearby, the consequences can be disastrous.

Wasp venom itself is dangerous and painful. But worst of all, it is a strong allergen. Even one bite can lead to a massive allergic reaction, up to anaphylactic shock.

Therefore, before removing wasps at home, you need to prepare:

  1. Wear heavy baggy clothing, preferably 2-3 layers. Clothing should completely cover the body, including wrists, ankles, waist, neck. Tuck the shirt into the trousers, tighten the belt.
  2. Wear heavy gloves, ideally leather, to protect your hands. Tuck your sleeves into them, tie your wrists with a rope so that the wasp cannot climb inside.
  3. Put on high boots so that you can tuck your pants into the top of them.
  4. Protect your head with a mosquito net or a beekeeper's hat. Protection can be made independently from any wide-brimmed hat, fine mesh and rope.

Since it is difficult to get wasps out of the house and not get a single bite, you should definitely have a package of antihistamines on hand. If you have already had a severe allergic reaction to insect stings, you should never do the pest control yourself.

Where to look for wasp nests in the house

Wasps rarely make their nests in plain sight. They prefer secluded corners, therefore, most often, wasps settle under the roof of the house or in the attic. In addition, their nests can be:

Wasps in a wooden house, especially if it is a log house, like to make nests behind the architraves, as well as in the cavity between the interior decoration and the wall of the building.

If you can't find a nest, just keep an eye out for insects. To do this, put a piece of sweet fruit or a little jam in a place where wasps often visit, and see where they fly with their prey.

Treatment of wasp nests with insecticides

How to get rid of wasps in the house? Treat the nest with a special insecticide. This is best done 2-3 hours after sunset. At this time, the wasps are the least active, and most of them are in the nest.

For lighting, use a flashlight attached to any structure. It cannot be held in the hands or fixed on the body - when processed, the wasps can fly to the light source.

Treat wasp nests in residential areas with aerosol insecticides. They create a finely dispersed suspension that penetrates well into the cavities of the hive.

If the wasps settled in the attic, then concentrated compounds that are diluted with water can also be used against them. But without special equipment, they are not as effective as aerosols, so re-treatment may be required.

Aerosol active ingredients against wasps

Active ingredient

How works

Features

Permethrin

Contact-intestinal insecticide that attacks the nervous system when accumulated

It acts not only on adult wasps, but also on eggs and larvae.

Piperonyl butoxide (PPB)

Enhances the effect of certain types of insecticides.

Decomposes quickly when exposed to sunlight.

Tetramethrin

It enters the body of an insect along with food or through the respiratory tract. Causes paralysis.

Nearly instant action.

Cypermethrin

Contact-intestinal insecticide that paralyzes the nervous system.

Resistant to ultraviolet, after treatment it remains on surfaces for 20-30 days.

Esbiotrin

Nerve insecticide

Used only in combination with other insecticides.

Pralletrin

Broad Spectrum Insecticide

A highly volatile substance that quickly weathers.

Imiprotrin

A contact insecticide that causes paralysis.

Nearly instant action.

Aerosols from wasps contain not one substance, but a combination of different insecticides. This provides a "knockdown effect" and gives long-term protection against the reappearance of insects - sometimes up to two months.

When choosing an aerosol, pay attention to the spray distance. To get wasps out of the house, products that are sprayed from a distance of 20-30 cm are suitable. High-pressure aerosols are needed to remove nests outside or in walls. They can be sprayed at a distance of 2-6 m.

Means intended for indoor use are easily weathered. Therefore, before removing wasps from under the roof of the house, close all windows and large gaps. If insects have settled inside the wall, seal all holes except one. Spray the remaining hole and close it too.

After spraying, it is better to leave the nest for a day. Then remove it and burn it or throw it away from the site.

Terminals

What to do if there are wasps at home:

  1. Locate the nest, which is usually found under a roof, in corners and other hidden places.
  2. Wear heavy clothing, gloves, high boots, bee or mosquito net.
  3. Spray the nest with wasp spray.
  4. Please wait a day.
  5. Discard or burn the nest.
  6. Keep wasps out of your home: don't leave food on the table, keep garbage in a covered bucket.

how to get rid of folk remedies on your own

Types of wasps

In suburban areas, 5 types of wasps are most common:

OSA ORDINARY. These are perhaps the most typical and most recognizable wasps. About 20 mm long. They like temperate and cool climates.

Where does he live. They build their nests in outbuildings, in underground burrows, in thickets of bushes and in hollows of old trees. They create huge colonies - in one swarm there can be up to 5,000 workers and up to 15,000 cells with larvae.

What does he eat. In spring they feast on nectar. When the larvae appear, they begin to prey on flies and other small insects. Often they attack spiders and at times steal prey from their webs. More often, prey is taken from ants. Yes Yes exactly. The fact is that in the antennae-antennae of these wasps they are able to capture the pheromones of ants. And ants usually drag something edible all the time. This is the food the wasps are trying to take away. Ants, of course, do not give up without a fight, they pounce on striped aliens, but the wasps have developed a defense tactic - they grab the ants with their jaws, fly away and throw them to the ground. This does not harm the ants in any way, however, stunned by the fall, they no longer return to the delicacy they found, and it goes to the wasps (1).

In the second half of summer, when berries and fruits begin to ripen, these wasps move to gardens - it is easier to get food here than to take food from ants.

GERMAN WASP. Similar to the common wasp, but smaller, 12–15 mm long. And it can also be distinguished by its abdomen - the tip of the abdomen is black in the common wasp, and yellow in the German wasp. The number of this species is lower than that of the common wasp.

Where does he live. Lives in forests, often in rural areas. There are many of these in cities - the German wasp in megacities is more common than the common wasp.

These wasps traditionally build their nests underground - in abandoned rodent burrows, in vegetable gardens, along the edges of cliffs and ravines. In cities, they settle in wastelands and parks. But not always - it is in the cities that they have mastered new shelters for themselves - they can attach their honeycombs in the voids of the walls of buildings, in attics and under the insulation of pipelines.

What does he eat. In nature, it feeds on plant nectar (very much, by the way, it loves parsnip flowers) and small insects. And in cities, it becomes a scavenger - it is these wasps that are most often found in markets and landfills, flock to barbecues and barbecues.

EUROPEAN PAPER WASP. These wasps are medium-sized, with a thin belly that is more black than yellow.

Where does he live. If you have a wasp honeycomb on the stems of perennial flowers in your attic, on a thuja or juniper, know that it is they, European paper wasps.

These wasps collect material for building their nests from old trees and stumps - they scrape off the fibers of the wood with their jaws, then chew it and build their honeycombs from it.

The nest is built by the female. The first brood are worker wasps that expand the combs. In one season, the number of wasps in one nest increases from several tens to several hundred individuals.

What does he eat. Larvae are fed with insects - flies, ants, bees, caterpillars, after chewing them. That is, if you do not take into account the bees, they help rid the garden of pests. Adult wasps feed on flower nectar, aphid secretions, and fruit juice. And here they harm, because they like to eat fallen fruits.

Common wasp. Photo: @Magnefl, wikipedia.orgGermanic wasp. Photo: @Alvesgaspar, wikipedia.org European paper wasp. Photo: @Alvesgaspar, wikipedia.org Gallic wasp (French). Photo: @Adrian.benko, wikipedia.org Common hornet. Photo: globallookpress.com

GAULIC (FRENCH) WASP. Outwardly very similar to the European paper wasp and very often they are confused. In this species, yellow color predominates - black is less (2).

Where does he live. Occurs everywhere throughout the European part of Russia, but still tends to the south. Nests are built the same as the European paper wasp and in the same places.

What does he eat. Damages mature fruits on trees and during drying, especially grapes. The larvae feed on small insects.

hornet. The Hornet is the largest wasp in Europe. Their length reaches 25–35 mm.

Where does he live. All over Europe, except for the southernmost and northernmost regions. Common in the European part of Russia. Its nests are similar to wasp ones, but their color is brown, not gray, because hornets scrape wood from young birch branches, and they are known to be brown.

Hornet nests are built in hollows, on trees under thick branches, in old beehives, under the roofs of houses and outbuildings.

It is believed that hornets are very aggressive, they say, three bites are enough to kill a person. Actually this is a myth. Hornet venom is no more dangerous than wasp venom. And they are much calmer than wasps and even shy. For example, if a hornet flew into a window, it will slowly scan the room until it finds a way out. No need to try to slap or kick him out, just open a window or door - he will fly away by himself.

They can show aggression only near their nest. And then not immediately. If a person approaches their colony, several guard hornets fly out to meet him, who make warning circles near the intruder. If you do not react, they move on to more decisive actions - they hit the enemy with their head, but they do not sting! But if you ignore their numerous warnings, they can go on the attack already "in an adult way."

What does he eat. Adult individuals prefer sweets - they willingly eat a span (excretion of aphids and other insects), love fallen fruits (apples, pears and plums), all kinds of confectionery.

Wasps are found in almost every area. Photo: pixabay.com

Hornets feed their larvae with insects. Including the bees. However, scientists noticed that these large wasps catch bees in September-October, when there are already few other insects. But in the summer they become garden orderlies, as they actively destroy flies, butterflies, leaf cutters and even wasps.

How to properly remove a beehive with wasps

The first rule is to start fighting wasps as early as possible, preferably in the spring. The fact is that most wasps are working individuals, they live only in summer and die in autumn. Single females hibernate. And at the beginning of the season, they build their nests alone, usually small ones. During the summer, they hatch several offspring, the nest grows, insects become tens or even hundreds of times more. So do not wait for this moment - it is much easier to deal with one wasp than with hordes.

It is better to destroy the nests in the evening, when it starts to get dark - at this time the wasps are not so active, besides, the whole swarm has already returned home. Or early in the morning before they are awake (3).

The second rule is equipment. Before you go to destroy a hornet's nest, you need to properly dress. On the body - a padded jacket or a tight jacket. On the feet - thick (again, better wadded) pants and rubber boots with tight tops. On the head - a mosquito net, and on the top of the head - a thick cap or hat. Hands on canvas gloves.

It is also important to provide escape routes so that in the event of a massive wasp attack, you can hide in a safe place.

The location of the hive near or inside a human dwelling may endanger human health. Photo: pixabay.com

Before you remove the nests, you need to destroy the wasps themselves. For these purposes, the usual "Dichlorvos" is suitable - it must be carefully shaken off and sprinkled abundantly on the nest from a distance of 20-30 cm. If this is an attic or other room, leave it and close the door tightly. If the nest is outside, just spray it. After about half an hour, the wasps will die, it will be possible to safely remove all the nests.

Any analogue can be used instead of dichlorvos. Don't look for "wasp" labels - "fly" and other insect repellant also works great.

Important! There are a lot of tips on the Internet on how to fill the nests with boiling water, kerosene, diesel fuel, etc., but they are of no use - you will only piss off the wasps. Better not tempt fate.

Folk remedies for wasps in the country

The destruction of wasp nests is a cardinal and rather dangerous method. But there are much easier options.

Sweet water bottles

Cut off the top of a plastic bottle, pour old jam or syrup diluted in water (3) into it, and insert the top cut-off part of the bottle on top, but with the neck down.

Bottles to be placed or hung in the garden. Wasps make their way inside, but they can no longer fly out of there and drown.

From time to time, the dead wasps should be shaken out and filled with new syrup into bottles.

Drinkers with poison syrup

The method is similar, but somewhat improved. At a plastic bottle, you need to cut off the lower part, pierce 2 holes in the upper edge, tie a wire and hang these containers on fruit trees and grapes.

Syrup (the same old jam diluted with water) is poured into drinkers, and then any insecticide from pests is added to it (see "Professional products").

After the insects drink the poisoned "cocktail", they will fly away and die outside the drinking bowls. This means you don't have to clean them. All that is needed is to add syrup to the drinking bowls from time to time.

Liquid smoke

If wasps do not bother you, you love nature and are not ready to kill even insects, then this method is for you. Its essence is to protect the crop without harming the wasps. All that is needed is to spray fruit plants and grapes with liquid smoke (it is sold in grocery stores). Wasps, like other insects, do not like the smell of smoke, so they will fly around fruit plants.

Professional products

The destruction of wasps with aerosols, as we found out, is not a safe method. Especially if there are a lot of nests. And when they are in inaccessible places, you won’t get there at all. Therefore, the most optimal method is traps, drinking bowls or baits with poison.

It is better to start the fight against wasps in the spring. Photo: pixabay.com

As a poisonous additive, you can use:

Karbofos. This drug is widely used in horticulture against pests, but there it is sprayed on plants. They do not need to spray wasps - just add a little of the drug to sweet water and hang traps in the garden.

Instead of Karbofos, you can use its analogues - Aliot, Alatan, Antiklesh, Profilaktin, Fufanon.

Application rate: 1 teaspoon per glass of water.

Executioner . Insecticide of new generation of instant action. Usually it is used from ants, cockroaches, bedbugs, fleas. But it also destroys wasps very effectively. They are used in the same way as Karbofos - they are bred in sweet water.

Usage rate: 1 teaspoon per glass of water.

Honey beetle . This drug is designed to fight flies and wasps. The convenience is that you do not need to prepare any "cocktails". Honey buzzard - gel. It only needs to be spread over some kind of base (substrate for food, a board) with a dotted line (2 through 2 cm) and placed in places where insects accumulate. The drug contains food additives that attract wasps and flies - they eat up this gel and die very quickly.

Why are wasps in the country?

There are two reasons at once:

1. Secluded places. Attics, sheds, bathhouses, dense crowns of coniferous trees and shrubs, thickets of perennials - all these are ideal options for building nests.

2. Abundance of food. In summer cottages there are always a lot of flowering plants, fruits and berries - this is a food base for adult wasps. In addition, there are an abundance of pests in the public garden, and wasps feed their larvae with them. Plus, the abundance of kitchen waste that is on each even is also a source of food.

What to do if you are bitten by a wasp?

The consequences of a wasp sting are severe burning, redness and swelling. This happens to almost all people. If the body successfully fights the poison, then the swelling subsides after 2-3 hours. Still, it's better not to let things take their course.

After a wasp sting, do the following:

1. Remove the stinger (4). If, of course, it remains. The easiest way to get it is with tweezers. Before doing this, thoroughly rinse and disinfect your hands and tools. In no case do not try to squeeze out the sting - this way even more poison will get into the wound and you can infect.

Wasps usually do not leave a stinger, they are able to bite many times. But occasionally such cases happen, for example, if you crush or squash a wasp. In addition, it is not always possible to understand who exactly bit you.

The effects of a wasp sting are severe burning, redness and swelling. Photo: pixabay.com

2. Treat the wound with antiseptic (4). Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol (vodka) will do. This is important because the sting of the wasp often has various infections.

3. Cover the bite with a sterile bandage. It localizes the poison, will not allow it to spread throughout the body.

4. Apply ice to the bite (4). It relieves pain well.

5. Take an antihistamine. Any one you can find. Just read the instructions, they have contraindications.

6. Drink plenty. As a result, you will go to the toilet more often and the toxin will be eliminated from the body faster.

What to do if you are bitten by wasps en masse?

It is believed that the lethal dose of wasp venom is 500-1000 stings. However, for some, just one bite may be enough if a severe allergic reaction develops - such cases occur in 1% of people. It seems that the figure is small, but according to doctors, the number of deaths from the bites of various types of wasps and bees is 3 times more than from snake bites.

There can be no self-treatment in this case. Urgently call an ambulance! Or go to the nearest medical facility. Especially dangerous are bites in the neck, lip and tongue - often this leads to suffocation even in people who do not suffer from allergies!

How do you get wasps out of a house wall or floor?

If you know exactly where the nest is and if you can lift the floorboard or carefully tear off the wall sheathing, then you can destroy the whole swarm along with the combs (see "How to properly remove a nest with wasps").

If this is not possible or the location of the nest is unknown, the simplest thing is to set traps or sent baits in the yard - the wasps will certainly fall there. And an empty nest will not cause you any problems.

Popular questions and answers

We talked about wasps in the country with agronomist Svetlana Mikhailova.

Where do wasps winter in the country?

Wasps hibernate under the exfoliated bark of old trees, under fallen leaves, under heaps of boards. They hibernate, which lasts from November to April.

By the way, only young females hibernate - males, worker wasps and old females die.

How to protect yourself from wasps in the country?

Many wasps build their nests in the grass, on strong dry shoots or in the roots of shrubs. Therefore, work in the garden should be carried out in tight protective clothing and tight gloves that protect against bites.

And if you're having a picnic outside, inspect the food carefully before you put it in your mouth - especially wasps love meat, fruits and desserts.

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