How to get rid of wasps and wasp nest from your property?
With more than 30000 identified species, wasps are a highly diverse group of insects. Due to color patterns and shape, wasps are most commonly mistaken for bees. Therefore, before we look at how to get rid of wasps, we will look at differentiating the two.
Differences Between Wasps and Bees
- Wasps have distinctive yellow and black patterns, while bees have a less transparent yellowish-brown color.
- Wasps have a clear and shiny outer surface, while bees appear hairier. This is to gather more pollen from flowers.
- Wasp nests usually contain a single-entry point (hole), while bees’ nests contain multiple. You can see bees coming in and out of many holes at a time, but wasps will come in and out of only one.
- Bees aren’t predatorial. Wasps usually prey on other insects and feed them to their young. They can also be found scavenging around sweet food and carbohydrates.
- When wasps sting, they can retrieve their stinger without causing any harm to themselves, whereas honeybees are known for losing their stingers after one usage.
Types of wasps
Paper Wasps
Paper wasps are not very social. They also don’t have a worker caste and live in small colonies. They derive their name from the paper-like material used to construct their nests as umbrellas. Their nest can be seen hanging on porch ceilings, window and door frames, eaves, attic rafters, railings, and other structures. The nests feature open, exposed cells where the eggs are laid.
Although paper wasps are not naturally hostile, they will sting if they are irritated and if their nest is damaged. They consume nectar as well as flies, caterpillars, and other insects.
Bald-Faced Hornets:
Bald-faced hornets, also known as white-tailed, yellow jackets, or bull wasps, are wasps, not hornets, despite their name. The bald-faced hornet can be recognized by the white patterns covering its face and body. This pest will sting repeatedly when challenged because it is fiercely protective of its colony.
The bald-faced hornet is common throughout the continental United States, Alaska, and Canada. The southeast region of the US is where it is most prevalent.
Yellow Jacket Wasps:
Yellow Jackets are among the US’s most prevalent and aggressive wasp species. Most of the 16 different species of yellow jacket wasps found in the US have gold and black patterns, although some also have white or red markings on their bodies.
The majority of them are smaller than typical bees but have less hair. Their length ranges Between 3/8 and 5/8 inches.
Mud Dauber:
Mud daubers have thin bodies, yellow patterns, and yellowish wings. They got their name because they built their nests in mud. They frequently excavate parallel tunnels of one inch and place one egg in each. Mud dauber nests can be discovered in garages, barns, sheds, porch ceilings, and beneath eaves.
Thread Waisted Wasp:
Even for a wasp, they have an unusually slender waist, which is how they acquired their name. They have a bluish hue and protruding red or orange abdomens.
These wasps can grasp a plant thanks to their long, thin legs. They often reside in mud nests and ambush their prey, typically small insects, paralyzing them with venom before laying their eggs in the victim’s body.
What attracts wasps to a Home?
Sweet Scents Wasps can be attracted by anything ranging from fruit, soda, candy, and even perfume. This usually happens around the end of summer following a shift in their diet. Any smell of this sort will attract them in no time.
Meat Wasps love meat as they feed it to their young. Any sheltered areas around your home can create the perfect nesting spot for wasps. We see this the most if there are any gaps or small crannies wasps can use to start a nest. There are a few main things wasps look for when choosing a location to build their nest: Places with shade, warmth, and protection from predators will be a haven for wasps.
Looking for any spots on your property that might provide these perfect wasp conditions and eliminating them will significantly reduce your likelihood of having an infestation.
Open water Wasps are attracted to all forms of liquid because it provides food and energy. Things like standing water in your yard, open pools, running faucets, provide easy water access for wasps. Wasps often hover over these water sources to either collect it for consumption or to take it back and share it with their colony. Try to be mindful of avoiding open water sources like these in your backyard.
How dangerous is a wasp bite
1. Wasps are aggressive and territorial.
Being territorial and aggressive is one of the most significant issues with wasps. Most colonies participate in nest construction together, frequently defending it with their own lives. When a colony chooses your home or yard as a breeding location, it’s essential to approach with caution or call a wasp exterminator near you .
2. Threat for Allergic reaction
Wasp stings can lead to an allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of this life-threatening condition include:
- Lightheadedness or feeling faint
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Anxiety and confusion
- Wheezing
- Loss of consciousness
3. A wasp infestation is almost impossible to treat on your own:
Any DIY efforts to eliminate a nest will likely be partially successful. Put it another way, you can eliminate most of the hive, but you’ll usually encounter a hostile swarm of survivors. The remaining wasps may repopulate, putting you back where you were before.
In addition to disturbing the nest, there are other risks associated with DIY wasp removal. For instance, spraying poison onto a nest of paper wasps or another above-ground nest may cause the toxin to fall back down on you the sprayer. Additionally, if an assault occurs while using a ladder to access high-up nests, catastrophic fall injuries may happen. It’s recommended to call a nearby wasp removal service and avoid the area if you encounter a nest.
4. Social Wasps Multiply Fast When Threatened:
It’s customary to swat or flail at a single wasp to get them to leave your personal space. However, if you do this, you can find yourself dealing with a worse issue.
Social wasps release alarm pheromones in response to danger or agitation. These serve as a rallying cry for their neighboring nestmates to get together and defend the nest. This poses a significant risk to the (often unaware) human or animal when these wasp attacks in high quantities.
Home remedies for wasp.
Lemon Extract
The lemon extract works well as a pesticide and wasp killer. Use 3 tablespoons of lemon extract and 1 cup of water for the best results. A small spray bottle filled with this mixture makes an effective, rapid, and easy pesticide. Half the amount of lemon essence should be used to create an effective repellant. Spraying wasps should kill them if utilized in their entirety, and spraying a nest should stop them from coming back.
Liquid Dish Soap
Dish soap and water are another typical wasp-killing mixture. This remedy is excellent because it is simple to prepare and safe for most plants. Water should be added to a plastic sprayer about halfway. After that, stir gently while adding 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap. Allow any suds that rise to the surface to settle. Dish soap kills wasps by allowing water to enter their spiracles, which serve as breathing passages. The wasps succumb to suffocation fast if water enters these breathing canals. This soapy water is also effective against hornets, yellow jackets, and other pesky insect species.
Vinegar and Soap Trap
Add 2 to 3 cups of sugar, 2 to 4 cups of apple cider vinegar, and 1 cup of warm water in a mixing basin to make this trap. This mixture must be well blended until the sugar is completely dissolved. Next, add around a quarter cup of dish soap, and stir until it is completely dissolved. Once more, if any suds appear, let the solution to rest until they disappear.
The next step is to have something that you can put the mixture of the trap in, and for that, take a 1-liter empty drink bottle and trim the top by one-third to do this. Turn the bottle top over and insert it into the rest from the neck up. To keep the trap in place, tape the exterior of the top. The liquid solution should then be added to the trap.
Where to set the trap once mixed:
This trap can be set up beneath any nest clinging to your house’s eaves or a doorway. Or, if it’s a ground-burrowing wasp or hornet, place it carefully next to the nest. The bottle’s neck can also be wrapped in a sturdy string to hang this trap from a tree. To avoid making this trap too heavy, we advise cutting the overall mixture in half if you decide to do this.
This trap is a great DIY solution for wasps and other insects. It entices them with sugar, water, and vinegar while suffocating them with soap, just like the spray. Additionally, this mixture coats their wings, making it more difficult for them to fly and flee. Wasps can easily fall into the funnel-shaped opening that the trap’s design generates, but it is nearly impossible for them to escape. There are other ways to set up this trap; some suggest using only sugar, others honey, but we believe the vinegar and soap mixture to be the most successful.
Natural Wasp Repellents
There is no shortage of wasp and DIY insect repellents online. While most are practical, some can fool you into thinking they are. For instance, many promote essential oils as powerful, all-natural insect repellant. Even though some essential oils, such as peppermint, lemongrass, and garlic, do their jobs, they frequently require reapplication and have a tiny area they can impact. Check the labels before using these oils because they might not be suitable for children or animals. Furthermore, repellents or other protective methods cannot instantly kill wasps. Instead, these repellents prevent them from opening up shop at all or keep them away once they have been driven out.
Peppermint Oil
Some essential oils do work to repel wasps, as was already indicated. However, the most effective choice is peppermint oil. In a small basin, combine 4 cups of water with 1 tablespoon of peppermint oil to make a potent wasp-repellant. When pouring this combination, exercise caution because undiluted essential oils can irritate the skin. After mixing, pour this mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the area where you wish to keep wasps away, being careful not to get spray mist in your eyes. To be completely effective, this treatment needs to be administered again roughly once per week.
Wasp Repellents Plants
Some plants have incredibly potent wasp and insect-repelling properties. One of the finest all-natural ways to defend your home from wasps and other insects is to plant these plants in your garden, backyard, or lawn.
- Mint: Mint is a tiny, dark-green herb with small, rough-textured leaves emitting fragrant oil. Mint can grow quite huge and vine out, depending on the species. The oils released from this plant repel wasps. Peppermint and spearmint are the mint varieties that repel wasps the best. The majority of mint species are harmless to be handled by people. However, they are highly toxic to cats and dogs.
- Lemongrass: An effective natural insect repellent for both personal and professional use is lemongrass. The leaves of this plant are used to make citronella oil, which is used in candles and sprays to ward off flying insects. When lemongrass is grown all around the house, it effectively repels wasps. Additionally, it is non-toxic and only seriously dangerous when consumed by pets.
- Sage: Sage is a tiny shrub with slightly grayish leaves that grows frequently in herb gardens and is used as a spice. They are hardy perennials growing yearly in your garden or yard. Additionally, some sage species have vivid blue or purple blossoms. They are safe for pets and work well as a wasp repellant.
- Rosemary: This fragrant bush is a typical herb and spice. It features brilliant blue blooms and thorny, needle-like leaves. Although it requires a little more maintenance than other plants on this list, rosemary is a stunning addition to practically any garden or backyard. They like warm, muggy weather, and the cold can harm them. Alternatively, you can pot it and bring it indoors during the colder months. In either case, it functions admirably as a natural deterrent.
- Thyme: Another lovely herb from the same genus as oregano is thyme. Thyme is an evergreen perennial plant with tiny, green to bluish-gray leaves. It grows in little bundles resembling bushes and has a scent comparable to clove and mint. Thyme also deters insects sensitive to other odors, such as tomato hornworms, corn earworms, snails, and larvae.
- Fennel: This plant is a member of the carrot family. It has a broad, bulbous base and long stems. These stalks have leafy tips where vivid yellow flowers are produced. The plant’s leaves are frequently preserved and used as spices along with its seeds. Certain fennel species also have edible stalks and bulbs. Regardless, practically all fennels are harmless for cats and dogs and contains insect-repelling qualities.
Methods of Preventing a Wasp Infestation:
Wasp-Proofing Your Home
Every crevice that is hive-worthy needs to have routine wasp control maintenance performed on it. Try to seal off or block any openings where wasps could enter, repair and seal cracked or broken siding, replace rotting wood, and regularly trim your grass and plants.
Keeping Trash Secure & Cleaning Up Spills
Choose garbage containers with tight-fitting lids, and always knot your trash bags tightly before putting them inside the trash can. When you hold outdoor gatherings with food and beverages, wipe up spills immediately and dispose of any rubbish in the appropriate container. Any drink or food scraps left over could draw wasps.