Keep Wasps Away: A Comprehensive Guide to Eradication and Prevention

Wasps can be a nuisance, their presence at picnics and outdoor gatherings can be both annoying and dangerous. Stings can be painful, and for some people they can even be life-threatening. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to keep wasps away from your home and yard.

Effective Strategies

1. Remove Food Sources:

Wasps are attracted to food, so one of the best ways to keep them away is to remove any potential food sources. This includes:

• Keeping pet food indoors: Don't leave pet food outside, as it will attract wasps.
• Covering garbage cans: Keep garbage cans covered tightly to prevent wasps from getting inside.
• Cleaning up spills: Clean up any spills immediately, as they can also attract wasps.

2. Keep Your Yard Clean:

Wasps also like to build nests in cluttered areas, so it's important to keep your yard clean and free of debris. This includes:

• Mowing your lawn: Keep your lawn mowed to prevent wasps from building nests in the grass.
• Trimming trees and bushes: Trim trees and bushes to remove any potential nesting sites.
• Removing dead wood: Remove any dead wood from your yard, as it can provide a place for wasps to nest.

3. Use Wasp Traps:

Wasp traps are a great way to catch and kill wasps. There are a variety of different types of wasp traps available and you can usually find out more about the key differences from your local hardware store's sales associate.

4. Call a Professional:

If you're having trouble keeping wasps away on your own, you may want to call a professional pest control company. They can help you identify the source of the problem, such as locating a wasp nest and safely eradicate the wasps.

Tips and Tricks

• Plant wasp-repelling plants: Certain plants, such as mint, basil, and lavender, are known to repel wasps. Planting these around your home can help keep them away.
• Use essential oils: Wasps dislike the smell of certain essential oils, such as peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and clove oil. You can diffuse these oils in your home or apply them to your skin to keep wasps away.
• Hang fake wasp nests: Wasps are territorial and they will avoid areas where they think other wasps are nesting. Hanging fake wasp nests around your property can help keep them away.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't swat at wasps: Swatting at wasps will only make them more agitated and aggressive.
• Don't use a fly swatter: Fly swatters are not effective against wasps. They are too thin and flexible, and wasps can easily fly through them.
• Don't use harsh chemicals: Harsh chemicals can be dangerous to both humans and pets. They can also damage your property.

Pros and Cons of Different Methods

Call to Action

Wasps can be a nuisance, but they don't have to be a problem. By following these tips, you can keep wasps away from your home and yard and enjoy the outdoors without worry.

Additional Information

• The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) estimates that there are over 100,000 species of wasps in the world.
• Wasps are social insects that live in colonies.
• Wasps are predators and scavengers. They feed on other insects, nectar, and fruit.
• Wasps can sting repeatedly. Their stings are painful and can cause swelling, redness, and itching.
• In some cases, wasp stings can be fatal. People who are allergic to wasp stings should carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen).