Summers bring hot, humid climates that can be tolerated, but the real challenge comes when wasps build their nests. Wasps' nests can be seen under eaves, inside deck boxes, outbuildings, around the pools, under patio umbrellas, or in the underground chambers of the lawn. The main concern for homeowners is to kill wasps naturally. There are many ways to kill them, but the natural method gives a sense of contentment. This blog focuses on the different natural ways to kill wasps.
Natural Ways to Kill Wasps
While commercial products can kill wasps, DIY methods can also help get rid of them. Here is the list of the methods you can use to kill these little creatures.
Soap and Water Solution
It’s a simple way to kill wasps. All you have to do is mix 2 tablespoons of dish soap with 1 quart of water, then pour it into a spray bottle. Then, shake it well and adjust the nozzle to stream and spray the mixture directly on wasps. Wasps suffocate because soap clogs their pores, making it difficult for them to breathe.
Add Bleach to the Water and the Soap Solution
Bleach, when added to the water-and-soap solution, is effective against wasps. The solution helps in wiping out ground-nesting wasps. An important point to note is that you don’t spray the bleach, water, and soap mixture; you pour it. This is because it may cause irritation in the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Also, cover the hole with screening before pouring the mixture to prevent it from escaping.
Lemon Extract and Water
Another effective natural method is the mixture of lemon and water. Mix 3 tablespoons of lemon extract with 1 cup of water, then pour it into a spray bottle. Then, spray the mixture directly on the wasps.
Hairspray
Hairspray won’t kill wasps; it will freeze their wings, which makes it easy to throw them away.
Hang a False Net
Hanging a false net around the house is a smart way to deter wasps from the surrounding area of your house. These nets can be made from brown paper or bought online. This idea works because wasps don’t prefer to build nests next to other nests. As soon as they notice another nest (a false one), they move away from that area.
Glass Wasp Trap
Many homeowners claim that glass traps help reduce the wasp population. It’s recommended to use savory bait, such as tuna, to attract wasps. These traps can also be made using cardboard and plastic bottles. Make small holes in the cardboard on all sides, then place the bottle on top. Make a big hole below the bottle so that when wasps enter the cardboard from the holes, they reach the bottle.
Plant Mint in the Garden
Wasps hate the strong smell of mint, so planting it in the garden or in pots around the house will help keep them out of the house. An added advantage is that mint will also keep other pests away.
Peppermint Oil
There are two different ways to use peppermint oil. One is to soak cotton balls in the oil and place them around the area where you have identified wasp infiltration. The second way is to pour water and peppermint oil into the spray bottle and spray around the infested areas.
Tips to Prevent Wasp Infiltration in the Garden
“Prevention is better than cure” is a tried and tested method to control any sort of infiltration. Here are some of the tips to keep wasps at bay:
Keep Food Sources Away
Identifying the cause of wasp infestation is important, and food sources are one of the reasons. Since these pests are fond of sugary items and items filled with protein, don’t keep these items outdoors.
Keep the Trash Can and Compost Bin Covered
Wasps tend to get attracted to the smell of food, hence it’s good to cover the trash can and even the compost bin. This is a natural way to keep them away from the outdoor area.
Change the Outdoor Light to Yellow or Sodium Vapor Light
Wasps get attracted to light; therefore, install yellow lights or sodium vapor lights. This will keep them away from the home.
Conclusion
There are several natural ways to kill wasps, such as planting mint, using peppermint oil, a soap and water solution, and many more, as mentioned in this blog. In fact, there are certain tips too to prevent wasp infiltration, like covering the trash can and compost bin, etc. All these will help keep wasps at bay and also kill them if they enter the house.