6 Ways To Get Rid Of Wasps

Wasps have to be one of the most irritating and pesky creatures that inhabit the earth. Sometimes it seems like the only thing these insects are good for is bothering picnic goers and people throwing their first outdoor dinner party of the season. If you spend a lot of time outside in the summer, especially if there’s food involved, you know exactly how frustrating it can be to deal with wasps.

Natural Solutions

Everyone wants to get rid of wasps, but the method that people usually turn to involves insecticides; harmful chemicals that can damage your body and your garden. Instead of using synthetic chemicals to deal with your wasp problem, try to take a natural approach. Here are six different things you can try for ridding your summer of pesky wasps.

6 Ways To Get Rid Of Wasps

1. Try A Non-Toxic Wasp Killer

Even the so-called ‘organic’ pesticides and insecticides are usually quite dangerous for your plants, pets and family. When dealing with any kind of problem, it can be tempting to take the quick short cut that chemicals provide, but the risks that come along with it are just not worth it.

Instructions

Attach a hose-end sprayer to your garden hose and fill it with dish soap and water
Wear protective gear and stand a good distance back

Let hose run for a few minutes to get the suds going
Douse the wasp nest completely with water. The soap will attach to their wings and weigh them down, eventually killing them.

2. Put Up A Fake Nest

Wasps are extremely territorial creatures, which means that if they see a nest already in the area, they move on to another place. This natural tendency of wasps is a great tool to use against them, especially because a fake nest can be put up in your backyard to provide a permanent solution to wasps.

Fake wasp nests can be purchased at several retail stores, or you can try making your own, which is crazy simple. All you have to do is crumple up a paper grocery bag, wrap string around it, and hang it up. Voila! Wasps are stupid.

3. Block Off Underground Nests

If your wasps have an underground nest instead of a hanging one, all you have to do to kill the colony is block off all of the entrances and trap them in the ground. Scope out where the entrances of the nests are and simply cover these areas carefully with a bowl. Make sure the bowl covers the whole entrance and is wedged slightly into the ground to prevent them from escaping. After about a week, the wasps should be gone.

4. A One Cent Solution

Because of their specially designed eyes, wasps will stay away from your doorway if you hang up a sandwich bad filled with water and a single penny. Some people think that this looks like a spider web to the wasps, others think that the reflection of the water is too bright for their eyes. Whatever the reason, the results are the same. It works every time!

5. Time Your Attack

No matter how you decide to tackle your wasp nest, make sure to be smart about it. Wasps are more active and aggressive when it’s warm outside. This means it’s always safer to go after them after dark, when it’s a little chilly. When doing this, always make sure to wear some protective clothing (long pants, long shirts) to shield yourself from the insects.