Wasp repellent for garden
8 Natural Home Wasp Repellant Tips
By
Stacy Fisher
Stacy Fisher
Stacy is a writer and freebies expert with nearly two decades of experience. She has appeared as an expert on Dr. Oz Show and several radio shows, published hundreds of articles, and co-authored a book. Stacy's written about how to celebrate the holidays for less, decorate your home with free printables, and has curated the best free resources for parents and teachers. Stacy also has an extensive background in academia.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 10/01/22
Reviewed by
Amanda Rose Newton
Reviewed by Amanda Rose Newton
Amanda Rose Newton holds degrees in Horticulture, Biochemistry, Entomology, and soon a PhD in STEM Education. She is a board-certified entomologist and volunteers for USAIDs Farmer to Farmer program. Currently, she is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and pest specialist.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
If you are looking to get rid of unwanted wasps, you'll be thrilled to know that there are some natural wasp deterrents that actually work in ridding your home of these unwanted pests. No one wants wasps stinging them, and these repellents will keep them at bay all spring and summer.
Some of these home wasp repellent tips include preventing wasps from visiting and making nests, while others will show you how to get rid of existing wasps and nests. Follow one or all of these suggestions to get rid of the pesky insects.
Tip
Wasps will come back to the same spot yearly. That's because they've spread pheromones (secreted chemicals) in that area which continue to communicate with other wasps even after the nest is removed. Keep wasps from returning by remaining diligent in your treatments to mask the scent.
Click Play to Learn How You Can Make Natural Wasp Repellent
-
01 of 08
Blend Together Essential Oils
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Mix together a few drops of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils to naturally repel wasps. You can add this essential oil blend to a spray bottle along with a few tablespoons of dish soap, fill the rest of the water bottle up with water, and shake.
Spray this solution on any established wasp nests, and make sure you look under porch roofs, eaves, and any other ledges. You can also spray this mixture in any spots you've seen nests in the past. Some wasps like to build nests in the same place each year, so this is a good defense.
-
02 of 08
Use a Peppermint Oil Solution
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Peppermint oil has also been shown to be a natural wasp repellent. Take a few drops of peppermint oil along with a few tablespoons of dish soap, put them together in a spray bottle, and fill the rest of the bottle with water. Shake well, and then spray the mixture on any established nests or places where you've seen nests before.
-
03 of 08
Get Rid of Unwanted Food
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Before you can start actually killing wasps, you need to do a few things to prevent wasps from invading your space in the first place. First and foremost, get rid of any food scraps or crumbs that are in the area outside of your home. Wasps love protein, so your grill is an area that they love to visit. Keep it thoroughly cleaned to keep the wasps away.
Wasps also love sugary drinks, so if you store soda cans in your yard, make sure they are thoroughly cleaned out.
If there isn't anything yummy for the wasps near your home, they are much less likely to pay you a visit. -
04 of 08
Ensure Trash Cans Are Sealed
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
What do trash cans have in them? Well, besides trash, they often have old food scraps or liquid. And wasps love to eat, so they will be especially attracted to your trash cans if they're not sealed up well—and they may even try to make a nest near them. Make sure you seal up your trash bins to avoid any new visitors, and that also includes your recycling bins as well.
Tip
Compost bins can also attract wasps, so make sure yours is well sealed. You could also move the composting indoors if you can't get the wasps away.
-
05 of 08
Patch Up Cracks
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
You'll want to seal up any cracks in your home or foundation, as wasps like to nest in cracks and hollows on the ground. Keep these patched up and filled to avoid wasps making nests or getting into your home.
Pay special attention to cracks that you may find on the edges of the house siding or where wires enter the home. This is great to do in the autumn before any spring wasp nests are built.
-
06 of 08
Add Wasp-Repellent Plants to Your Landscape
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
One way to repel wasps near your home is to plant wasp-repellent plant varieties like spearmint, thyme, eucalyptus, wormwood, and citronella. Plant these anywhere near your home and especially where you have seen wasps in the past. Flowering plants like marigolds, geraniums, or pennyroyals are pretty and also deter wasps.
There are a few plants you'll want to avoid having in your yard, as they actually attract wasps. This includes sweet fennel, Queen Anne's lace, and yarrow. Don't plant these anywhere where you'd like to avoid wasps.
-
07 of 08
Use a Soap and Water Solution
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Soap and water are a great defense against small wasp nests.
Get a spray bottle, add 2 tablespoons of dish soap, and fill the rest of the bottle with water. After shaking well, liberally spray the soap and water mixture on the nest. The soap will clog up their breathing pores, causing them to die instantly. Tip
It's best to spray after dusk when all the wasps have come home for the night.
-
08 of 08
Fernando Trabanco Fotograffia / Getty Images
Another way to get rid of wasps naturally is by building a wasp trap—and the best part about this suggestions is that it uses items you probably already have on hand. Follow the directions to build a wasp trap from a soda bottle that will trap the wasps and drown them in the liquid. The bottle can be placed somewhere in your yard or hung from a tree.
FAQ
-
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. -
To keep wasps from returning to your home, make your home less enticing. Keep your doors or windows closed. Do not keep food outside. Keep garbage cans tightly sealed. Leave out wasp traps. Remove nests when wasps are least active at dawn. Fill in holes in the ground since yellowjackets often make ground nests.
-
Wasps are most active in July. They usually first start appearing in spring and continue through late fall.
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
“Controlling Wasps, Bees and Hornets Around Your Home.” University of New Hampshire Extension,
Controlling Wasps, Hornets, and Yellowjackets | Entomology.
Getting rid of wasps nests. Michigan State University Extension.
Yellowjackets and other social wasps. University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.
10 plants to keep pests away |
(Image credit: Getty Images / yonka60 )
Planting wasp repellent plants is a simple but very effective way to keep these pests at bay. Not only will they fill your yard with spectacular color and seasonal interest but their powerful fragrance, while largely appealing to us, is a strong deterrent for these irritating insects.
From cheerful marigolds, chic eucalyptus to creeping pennyroyal, many of these are everyday garden plants and useful herbs. Perfect for incorporating into flavor-packed dishes, drinks, and healing remedies, they can prove hugely beneficial to us and highly deserving of a prime place in our backyards, plus they're great for getting rid of wasps.
Pot them in as flower bed ideas in containers, hanging baskets and window boxes and position them at key point around your yard and home.
Surround your outdoor eating and cooking area with containerized herb garden ideas such as basil, mint, thyme and lemongrass and enjoy the convenience of having not only fresh ingredients to hand but a natural wasp deterrent too. A low planter or two at the center of your outdoor dining ideas will afford you peace and calm while you dine in a wasp free zone.
Best wasp repellent plants
Harness the natural power and beauty of these wasp repellent plants so you can sit back and relax undisturbed in your yard this summer.
1. Wormwood
(Image credit: Alamy)
The charm of wormwood or Artemisia may appear to lie in its fine silver, feathery foliage but did you know that wasps simply can’t stand its astringent scent?
Easy and quick to grow in a sunny, well-draining spot, it’s perfect for surrounding your deck or keeping wasps away from your porch.
Reaching heights of around 2ft (60cm) and with a spread of 3ft (90cm) this hardy perennial forms attractive mounds.
It can loose leaves over winter during particularly cold spells but will shoot again the following spring.
Parts of the plant have been used to create the liquor Absinthe but is more commonly known for treating various digestive problems.
2. Mint and spearmint
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Adored by most but hated by wasps, the heady fragrance of fresh mint is hard to beat for sheer summer charm.
Sun and part shade loving, there are many different varieties to grow, each with their own subtle flavor and characteristics. Peppermint and spearmint are two of the strongest mints so are well worth growing to keep wasps at bay.
These herbs will shoot in spring, to reach around 3ft (1m) before dying back to ground level in fall.
One word of warning from the expert gardening team at Crocus , ‘Initially upright, the stems become lax as they grow, and begin to root where they touch the ground, so in time large clumps will be formed. If you prefer to keep them under control, it is best to grow mint in large pots or containers.
’
3. Common thyme
(Image credit: Melanie Griffiths)
It’s hard to believe that the ground-hugging, billowy cushions of thyme are disliked by wasps.
Covered in a mass of tiny white, pink or purple flowers during late spring and summer, this hardy aromatic herb is happy growing in most sunny positions with well drained soil.
Most types of thyme – of which there are over 300 varieties – are happy in USDA zones 5-9 but they do dislike wet and humid environments. Growing thyme in containers is a great way to keep them happy, and near to areas that wasps are attracted to.
It’s also worth knowing that the strongest flavor and scent is held in the young, fresh leaves. So, for the most reliable wasp deterrent, reach for the shears and snip off any old, leggy growth.
4. Marigolds
(Image credit: Jacky Parker / Getty Images)
Both French and American marigolds possess a strong spicy scent that keep wasps well away. Together with their bold orange-red blooms and reliable nature, they need very little attention and are ideal for planting around borders and crops that are also vulnerable to pests and aphids.
A tender annual, these readily available plants are happiest in sun and will thrive during the warmer months across UDSA Zones 2-11. You can grow marigolds from seed, and keep them flowering – and repelling wasps – for longer by deadheading regularly.
5. Eucalyptus
(Image credit: GettyImages)
Rub or crumble a silvery eucalyptus leaf and you can’t fail to notice the immediate heady burst of menthol. Often used as a decongestant, it’s these powerful essential oils that also keep wasps and many other insects away. Cut branches of eucalyptus can keep insects out of the house, too.
An Australian native, these trees love their roots in free draining but rich or poor soil and their heads in the sun. They do grow large – in excess of 40ft (12m) – and quickly too – up to 3ft (1m) in a year while they are young, but you can prune them hard to reduce their size and promote fresh, fragrant growth. They are also successful in containers.
Choose one that is at least 2ft (61cm) in diameter and be prepared to upsize in a few years.
If planting direct in the ground the gardening experts at RHS do advise, ‘With larger-growing species, plant them well away from buildings, as they can dry out the soil, especially heavy clay.’
6. Geranium
(Image credit: Getty Images / yonka60 )
Ever noticed that bright, bold and beautiful scented and ivy-leaf geraniums have an instantly recognizable smell? Known for its energizing effect, the unmistakable fragrance is released as soon as leaves are brushed past or when in a particularly warm and sunny spot.
Wasps with their super sensitive sense of smell simply can’t abide it and according to the Experimental Perfume Club this is likely due to the chemicals in the oil. ‘The well-known molecules found within geranium oil are citronellol, nerol, geraniol and linalool – many molecules shared with rose and which explains why they carry a similar scent profile!’
Grown as half hardy annuals in zone 9 and below, these plants will flower endlessly through out the summer months and can be seen in wall hung pots, hanging containers and cascading out of window boxes.
Deadhead regularly to prolong the show, and learn how to overwinter geraniums to enjoy them again next year.
7. Lemongrass
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Lucky enough to live in USDA zones 9-11 or warmer climes? Then you can add growing lemongrass to your list of wasp repellent plants.
Coming from the sunshine, humidity and warmth of Sri Lanka and southern India this tropical plant has a reviving citrus fragrance that is guaranteed to keep wasps well away. In these zones you can leave lemongrass in the ground all year round – just adding a little mulch for protection in zone 9.
If you live in zone 8 or below, and you are still keen to give this plant a go, then you will have to lift and store the plant indoors over winter.
8. Basil
(Image credit: Markus Spiske / Unsplash)
‘As humans, we may enjoy the aroma of basil in a rich tomato sauce, but bees and wasps are put off by the fragrance,’ say Ehrlich Pest Control .
You can grow basil from seed, indoors and out.
For best results, sow seeds at regular intervals throughout spring and summer.
Basil requires constant heat to grow and dislikes sitting in wet compost, where if left it will quickly rot. The soft and tasty leaves also scorch very easily so make sure your crop is positioned out of direct sun.
Harvest individual leaves by picking them off, rather snipping several plants with scissors, as this will promote fresh, new growth. And learn how to prune basil at the right time to prolong its life.
9. Pennyroyal
(Image credit: Alamy)
This vigorous and mat forming plant, gives off a strong mentha scent that, when crushed, wasps and many other insects, just can’t stand. Covered with distinctive whorls of lilac in mid-summer it thrives in poor soil and moist conditions but does have the habit of spreading relentlessly. It remains hardy down to 5 to -4℉ (-15 to -20℃).
There are two main types to choose from: European and American Pennyroyal, with the former having the stronger perfume.
Leading herb grower and expert Jekka McVicar also suggests to ‘Rub crushed leaves onto mosquito bites to remove the swelling and irritation.’
10. Citronella
(Image credit: Kcris Ramos / Getty Images)
Largely known as an insect repelling candle or oil, citronella is a scented pelargonium with rather attractive pink-purple flowers.
An evergreen, large branching shrub it reaches heights of 5ft (1.5m) and has tooth-edged foliage that smells strongly of lemon.
Hardy in zone 8 through 12, it requires well-draining soil, full sun and thrives happily in open borders and planters.
What is the best plant to keep wasps away?
There are many strongly scented plants that wasps just can’t stand. These include many herbs such as mint, basil, lemongrass, thyme and bay. Some fruits such as cucumber have the same effect but for more decorative deterrents try flowers such as marigolds, geraniums and beautiful foliage including silvery grey eucalyptus and wormwood.
Bear in mind that many wasp repellent plants make for great mosquito repellent plants, too.
How do I keep wasps away from my patio?
Discover some of the aromatic and flowering plants dislike and enjoy growing them around your outdoor living room.
Some of the best plants for hanging baskets and wall top planters can repel wasps: from tumbling ivy to scented leaf geraniums – those with red blooms are meant to be particularly effective.
Pots of aromatic herbs – think thyme, basil and mint are ideal for lining up next to the outdoor grill station or outdoor kitchen. Not only will they help protect the chef from pesky wasps but pep up meat, salad dishes and summery drinks too.
Fill surrounding borders with billowing cushions of silver wormwood and pockets of punchy marigolds to create a stunning fragrant border that wasps will stay away from.
Jill Morgan has spent the last 20 years writing for Interior and Gardening magazines both in print and online.
Titles she has been lucky enough to work on include House Beautiful, The English
Home, Ideal Home, Modern Gardens and Gardeningetc.com. Although much of her career has involved commissioning and writing about reader homes and home improvement projects, her
everlasting passion is for gardens and outdoor living, which is what she writes about for Homes & Gardens.
Wasp repeller "Weitech WK-0432"
Description
Will permanently rid the local area of most types of wasps. It is an imitation of a wasp nest - to use the repeller, just hang it near the place that needs protection. Insects flying past will begin to mistake it for the nest of another wasp family and will rush to fly away so as not to be attacked.
The deterrent effect of "WK0432" is based on its external resemblance to a wasp's nest - to use it, it is enough to unpack the product and hang it close to home
A wasp sting can lead to terrible consequences!
Wasps are one of the most dangerous insects in the world.
It would seem that a wasp that is familiar to everyone can cause serious health problems and even death. Suffice it to say that in the United States alone, about 50 people die from the bites of these insects. In our country, such statistics are not kept, but for sure we are also talking about dozens of deaths.
Non-lethal, but extremely unpleasant cases of wasp attacks occur all the time. They are especially affected by people prone to allergies and children, on whom wasp venom is especially detrimental. In this regard, the issue of protecting a suburban area from wasps is of extraordinary relevance. But is it possible to solve it, because you can’t forbid insects to fly from a neighboring forest!
With a wasp repeller, you will save yourself and your family from danger forever!
The problem of wasp invasion is solved quite simply, like everything ingenious. Entomologists have long noticed that among these insects there is fierce intraspecific competition. Their community is clearly divided into families that, to put it mildly, do not favor each other, and sometimes even fight to the death.
Any wasp will hasten to quickly retreat from the vicinity of someone else's nest, where it can be bitten to death. It was this circumstance that served as the basis for the creation of an ingenious design that imitates a hornet's nest and repels insects with its very appearance.
We present to your attention the wasp repeller "WK0432", developed and manufactured by the Belgian company "Weitech". This is an inexpensive and extremely effective product that is guaranteed to drive wasps out of the protected area.
Dealer certificates
Advantages of the "WK0432" wasp repeller:
- Does not require a power source. Unlike electronic scarers, "WK0432" does not need batteries or other sources of voltage. It has no electrical components at all, since the working principle is based on a purely visual effect.
- No chemicals used. Many insect repellers repel insects with odors that do not always use harmless chemicals.
Model "WK0432" is free from this shortcoming, because is 100% environmentally friendly. - Ultimate ease of use. All you need to use the product is to unpack it, give it a three-dimensional shape that imitates a hornet's nest, and hang it in the right place. The repeller does not require maintenance, except that from time to time it can be dusted off.
- Long service life. The repeller is made by the reputable Belgian company "Weitech", which is known for the high quality of its products. In the production of the model, solid materials are used that can last for many years in the open air.
How does the wasp repeller "WK0432" work?
Wasps are predators that attack the nests of insects (bees or their own brethren) in order to rob honey and other nutrients. Such a pirate lifestyle forces them to carefully protect their own homes, because they, too, can be attacked by wasps from another family. That is why when a stranger appears near the nest, he is instantly expelled or even killed.
Thus, a lone wasp will never fly near the dwelling of another swarm, since the instinct of self-preservation will make it fly as far as possible. The vision of wasps is quite primitive, so even something remotely similar to a nest of wasps from another family causes them to panic and immediately put them to flight. The developers of the product "WK0432" took advantage of this circumstance, giving it a resemblance to a typical wasp dwelling. Seeing him, in fear of the attack of the owners, the insect hastily flies away.
The device is easy to use
To use the device, just take it out of the package, carefully shape it into a hornet's nest and hang it in the right place. In the future, this design will not require maintenance or any special mode of operation.
Where can I use the wasp repeller "WK0432"?
Almost everywhere where wasps have been seen - in the garden, in the yard, on the balcony or veranda. If you have a vast estate, the specialists of the site www.
belton.ru advise using several repellers. Thus, it is possible to achieve a systemic effect, securing all possible areas for the appearance of malicious insects. Particular attention should be paid to the protection of places where children spend time. Not understanding the danger posed by the wasp, the child may start playing with it, which will lead to a bite, so the presence of insects near children should be excluded.
Package containing the wasp repeller "WK0432"
Specifications:
| Repelling radius | up to 5 m |
| Deterrent method | visual |
Scope of supply:
- wasp repeller "WK0432";
- packaging.
Download instruction manual
'; html += '
' + json[i]['label'] + '
'; html += '
' + json[i]['special'] + '
'; if(json[i]['special']){ html += '
' + json[i]['price'] + '
Wasp and Bee Repeller in Home & Garden category
Wasp Kigurumi Costume, Bee Kigurumi Pajamas for Adults and Children for Teenagers (1046)
Delivery across Ukraine
950 UAH
799 UAH
Buy
MY KIGU Kigurumi for the whole family!
Squidoger OS "Hide nest" OG-01 TORS
Delivery in Ukraine
to 197 UAH
from 2 sellers
197 UAH
Buy
🅺🆄🅿🅸🅲🅾
OS "Osinnaya nest" OG-01De
Delivery across Ukraine
141 UAH
Buy
0003
Delivery across Ukraine
950 UAH
799 UAH
Buy
MY KIGU Kigurumi for the whole family!
doll lady Mask Koroleva Chloe bourgeois from the cartoon Lady Bag
in a warehouse in Lviv
Delivery in Ukraine
305 UAH
Deodatus
Pizhurumi for adults and adolescents Waspel bee (1046 )
In stock
Delivery across Ukraine
900 UAH
799 UAH
Buy
Raidder
OS "Osinnow Nest" OG-01
Delivery in Ukraine
140-160 UAH
of 4 sellers
140 UAH
Buy
Yakis shop vseVnas tool - Tools Shop 24/7
Linarem lure, 200 ml
0003
The store of the Yakіsnoye Instrument VSEVNAS - Tools Shop 24/7
spirals from mosquitoes, OS and aromatic aromatic 125mm with double effect (60)
Delivery from Odessa
27.
2 - 28.56 UAH
of 2 sellers
9000 27.20 UAH/packingBuy
7Garden
Wasp Trap for flies and other flying insects
Delivery across Ukraine
190 — 192 UAH
from 4 sellers
1900 UAH0002 BuyOnline store Starshop
Bait for Pilly OS and Flies Rapax
Delivery from Odessa
to 190 UAH
190 UAH
Buy
Starshop
Objector Suggest dogs and people with a flashlight OCA MEGA 1128
Not available
250 UAH
Watch
Flashlight
Flashlight with a repeller OCA 928 reinforced
Delivery in Ukraine
468 UAH
Buy
online store Technprom
Riddex Pro
Network
1,863 UAH
Watch
WIZE
Rodifier of Krotovs and insects of the Eltransk See also0003
240 UAH
Watch
Online store "Zorax"
Ultrasonic replacement of insects and rodents Riddex Plus
Unavailable
94 UAH
Agroretail.
