During the warmer months, it can feel as though every outdoor activity is plagued by wasps buzzing around your head, and landing on your food and drink. And wasps aren’t just annoying either – they can deliver a sharp sting if you get in their way.
Nevertheless, while many of us might have found ourselves asking, “What’s the point of wasps?”, these yellow-and-black striped insects play an important role in the environment. And experts are keen to remind us that a world without wasps definitely wouldn’t be a better place.
So, how can we keep wasps at bay without harming them? Luckily, there are plenty of simple home remedies that are highly effective.
With that said, here are 10 natural methods to keep wasps at bay.
There are approximately 9,000 species of wasp in the UK
According to research, the UK is home to 9,000 species of wasp. However, it’s actually only a few of these species that irritate us in the summer.
Similar to bees, most wasp species are classed as solitary. Some solitary wasps are tiny (even microscopic), some never bother us, and virtually all we don’t even notice.
The insects that we recognise as wasps are the ‘social’ species. Social wasps live in colonies made up of hundreds or thousands of sterile female workers, headed by an egg-laying queen.
They make strong, durable nests from a papier-mache-like material (wood fibres mixed with water). Social wasp nests begin developing in late spring when queen wasps come out of hibernation.
The queen remains in the nest laying eggs (larvae) while the workers gather food to feed the young. In return for food, larvae secrete a sugary solution, which worker wasps drink. However, by late August, wasp nests have many workers and have stopped raising larvae. Without larvae, social wasps begin searching for alternative sugar sources – hence why they’re so attracted to our food and drink during the summer months.
What role do wasps play in the environment?
While often thought of as annoying themselves, wasps are highly effective pest controllers – preying on insects like greenflies and caterpillars. In fact, research estimates that social wasps in the UK account for up to 14 million kilograms of insect prey during the summer months. So, we’d see many more insect pests in our gardens without them.
As well as being ecologically important predators, wasps are also effective pollinators – transferring pollen between flowers as they drink the nectar. It’s this appetite for sweet liquids that explains why they’re so annoying when there’s food around!
10 natural methods to keep wasps at bay
Now we know why wasps are important for the environment, let’s look at some natural, non-harmful deterrents.
1. Keep food and drinks covered
When wasps find food sources, they alert the rest of their colony. So, the single best way to prevent wasps from swarming around your food is to cover it.
This can mean using mesh food covers when eating outdoors at the table or putting lids on any tupperware when picnicking. Amazon also sells silicone cup covers and can lids which can be useful for deterring wasps away from sugary drinks. It’s also best to avoid leaving barbecues unattended.
2. Burn citronella candles
Citronella candles are great for creating ambience and pest-free zones in summer because they have a strong citrus smell that wasps (as well as flies and other airborne pests) can’t stand.
If you find the scent of citronella too strong, consider buying tea lights instead. You can place these sporadically, in small plant pots or candle holders, around the dining area.
3. Avoid swatting wasps
When there’s a wasp buzzing around, your first instinct might be to swat or kill it. But, according to experts, this is one of the worst things you can do.
When a wasp is killed, it releases a pheromone panic signal, which alerts other wasps to the problem. Pheromones are chemical substances released by animals, which affect the behaviour of others of the same species. As experts at Waspinator put it, “Kill a wasp and five more will come to its funeral!”.
Plus, a wasp’s vision is tailored to spot sudden, sharp movements of insect prey – so wildly waving your arms around as you attempt to swat them only makes them more angry and determined to sting you!
If you’ve ever been stung by a bee or wasp, it might have felt as though the attack came out of nowhere, but bees and wasps only sting when they feel threatened. So, it’s best to remain still if a wasp approaches you and let it move on naturally.
4. Grow wasp-repellent plants
The plants you grow in your garden can affect how attractive it is as a settling ground to wasps.
Examples of wasp-repellent plants include thyme, basil, garlic, eucalyptus, spearmint, lemongrass, bay leaves, wormwood, and citronella grass. Flowering plants like geraniums, marigolds, and pennyroyals have also been shown to deter wasps if you’re after something more pretty.
Try planting these varieties in your garden, particularly in areas where you’ve previously seen wasps.
In contrast, some plants, such as yarrow, sweet fennel, and Queen Anne’s lace, have been found to attract wasps, so it’s best to avoid planting these where possible.
5. Keep bins clean and sealed
Bins full of liquid or old food scraps are a magnet for wasps and other pests. And, if bins are left unemptied and unattended for long enough, wasps may even try to build a nest nearby and make the bin their main food source. Luckily, there are several things you can do to prevent this from happening.
Firstly, where possible, it’s best to keep bins away from doors and windows, and avoid placing them in direct sunlight. This will help to slow the rate of food decomposition and the development of smells that wasps and other pests are drawn to.
It’s also important to avoid dumping food straight into wheelie bins and use bin liners instead. This helps to prevent food from becoming stuck to the sides of containers and encourages odour control.
If your wheelie bins are cracked or broken, it’s worth requesting a replacement from your local council.
Note: Compost bins can also attract wasps so it’s worth making sure these are properly sealed too. Check out this guide to pest-proofing your compost bin from Primrose for guidance.
6. Use essential oils
Wasps are naturally deterred by scents like clove, lemongrass, and geranium.
So, you might like to try mixing a few drops of essential oil with a few tablespoons of washing-up liquid in a spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and shake, before spraying any areas in your garden where wasps gather.
Even if you don’t currently have any wasp nests in your garden, it can be helpful to spray the mixtures in spots where you’ve previously seen nests, to discourage wasps from settling there again.
This study found that a combination of clove, lemongrass, and geranium essential oils was effective at repelling wasps. Researchers also found that peppermint oil alone may be particularly effective at deterring wasps.
Again, you can mix peppermint oil with washing-up liquid and water, shake well, and spray any affected areas.
It’s also worth spraying areas where you don’t want wasps to land, such as decking, patio, and garden furniture.
You can buy a range of essential oils on Amazon.
7. Avoid wearing bright colours
Wasps are drawn to brighter shades like whites, yellows, and light blues because they look similar to the colours of the flowers they pollinate. So, if you’re serious about getting rid of them, you might want to avoid wearing these colours. Though, we know that this isn’t always realistic in summer!
When it comes to clothing, your best bet is to wear red because wasps are colourblind to it. Other darker colours, such as navy and black, are also less likely to attract wasps.
8. Hang a dummy wasp nest in your garden
Wasps are very territorial and won’t settle near other nests due to fear of being attacked. So, some people find that hanging a fake wasp nest in their garden can be effective for keeping them away.
Waspinator is an award-winning fake wasp nest product. You can also buy dummy wasp nests on Amazon. Alternatively, create your own by blowing up a simple paper bag, sealing it, and hanging it up.
However, it’s worth noting that this method is unlikely to keep wasps away properly unless you take other precautions too.
9. Patch up and protect outdoor furniture
Wasps eat wood as part of their natural behaviour. So, it’s worth taking steps to protect outdoor furniture and other wooden structures in your garden, and to patch up any damage if it’s already been targeted by wasps.
Signs of wasp damage include chewed wood, visible nests, and small piles of wood shavings near the furniture.
Check out this guide to stopping wasps from eating your garden furniture and repairing wood damage from the Garden Furniture Outlet.
10. Get rid of any food scraps
Wasps enjoy protein, so it’s important to thoroughly clean your barbecue and any surrounding areas to keep them away.
Other useful tips include completely cleaning out drink cans and other food packaging before placing them in recycling.
Final thoughts…
Wasps are unwelcome visitors at any summer barbecue or picnic. But, annoying as they may be, wasps are also key for the environment. Luckily, there are plenty of tried and tested natural methods for keeping wasps at bay without harming them.
If you’re planning a summer barbecue, check out our articles; 8 sizzling barbecue recipe ideas and 5 side dishes to go with your next barbecue. We also have a collection of vegan BBQ recipes if you follow a plant-based diet.
What are your top tips for keeping wasps away during the summer? Will you be trying any of the ideas on our list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.