Club Benefits
As the sun begins to shine and we're busy basking in the warm weather, it's sometimes easy to forget that this also means the bugs are about to descend. Oh, but wait, they won't let you forget for long, especially when it comes to wasps.
Their annoying buzzing and dreadful threat of stings are two stark reminders that wasps have decided to invade your home. I could ramble ramble about my utter dislike for wasps for far too long. Instead, I'll stick to just saying I hate them. When they say it's the fear of the sting rather than the sting itself, I'm sure they're just lying to make you feel better. Take that from someone who has been stung a wonderful seven times in her life.
Fear not though. There's certainly ways to keep wasps away from your home, especially your porch where they like to gather like the uninvited guests that they are. Trust me, I've been looking for ways to get rid of them for years and here's the top tips I suggest for keeping them at bay – and hopefully making sure they don't dare to return.
Article continues below5 ways to keep wasps away from your home
1. Eliminate food sources
Wasps love to eat. Wait, maybe I've got more in common with them than I thought. But, what they love to feast on is trash and fallen or rotting produce. Maybe we're not the same after all.
So, if they spot that your home and porch are a great place to eat, they'll descend like nobody's business. After all, it's easy to ignore old food in your garden when you think it'll get absorbed back into the soil. Wasps won't let it though and instead they'll make your porch their new favorite restaurant.
Stop them before they tell their friends by tidying up your porch, lawn, or any outdoor pace you have of any fallen produce or stinky trash cans.
2. Keep your porch clean
Rotting fruit and vegetables is one thing, but your own food can also be an extra special treat for wasps. While you might enjoy eating outdoors with friends and family in the hot weather, make sure you clean up afterwards – and I mean, thoroughly. Sweep up any crumbs or leftovers as quickly as you can.
The same rule applies for drinks as any sticky spillages can also be a hot spot for attracting wasps. Once you've tidied up the food and drinks, it's also a good idea to sweep up any cobwebs or places where insects like to live on your porch because the wasps will come for them, too.
3. Choose wasp-repelling plants
We've previously covered 7 plants that will keep wasps out of your yard and those include peppermint, wormwood, and eucalyptus. It's worth taking a look through the full list and picking out plants you'd be happy to grow on your porch or in any outdoor space.
They're plants that repel wasps for a reason and their scent will act as a great natural deterrent for any wasps thinking about hanging around your porch.
4. Craft a DIY wasp trap
While Jenna aka @fromhousetohome on TikTok's post went viral a couple of years ago, her hack is still absolutely relevant now if you're looking to get rid of wasps off your porch.
To make your own DIY wasp tap, add a simple mix of 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap into an open container and you've got yourself a place for wasps to land and get stuck.
5. Or buy a wasp trap
If you've not got the DIY wasp trap ingredients in your home or don't fancy making it, you can always buy a wasp trap (like the one shown below) to hang outdoors and catch the wasps to stop them from bothering you.
Your best bet is to set them up in areas where you notice wasps like to nest, which is usually any gaps and cracks in the walls, doors or windows around your porch.
What not to do when you see wasps
I've learnt the hard way of a few things not to do when you see wasps and the ultimate one is to not panic. Easier said than done.
If you see a wasp on your porch, don't start flailing around or running off because wasps get angry and release a pheromone that will only attract more wasps. Same goes if you injure or kill them. No bad thing if you've got traps set up, but not great if you're just trying to relax on your porch in the sunny weather.
The same rule applies for getting rid of any wasps nests. While you might want to consider hiring a professional to remove them from your porch, there's safe ways to get rid of them as long as you do your research. What you shouldn't do is attack the nest because you'll only anger the wasps inside.
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