Keep Bees and Wasps from Nesting with These Tips
Nothing ruins an outdoor barbecue or picnic faster than bees and wasps buzzing around. Their painful stings can also pose serious health risks for those allergic to them. Allowing bees and wasps to build nests around your home puts you at risk of getting swarmed when they feel threatened. Luckily, there are effective ways to deter these pests from settling in and creating nests on your property. Follow these tips to keep unwanted bees and wasps from moving in.
Remove Food Sources
Bees and wasps are attracted to sugary substances and protein. Eliminate temptation by removing any sweet drinks, ripe fruits, meats, pet food, trash, and other consumables from your yard. Be thorough – check under decks, in grassy areas, and along the perimeter of your home. Removing food sources eliminates a major attraction for bees and wasps.
Frequency 4
Seal Possible Entry Points
Prevent bees and wasps from sneaking inside your home to build nests. Caulk and seal any cracks, crevices, gaps around windows, doors, siding, roofing, and utilities. Install weatherstripping around doors and windows. Cover chimneys, vents, and flues with secure screens. Eliminating entry points keeps nests from being built inside your walls or attic.
Frequency 3
Install Screens
Install tight-fitting screens on all windows and doors leading outside. Make sure there are no rips or gaps larger than 1/16 inch – that’s all the space needed for bees and wasps to get inside. Tight screens deter them from flying through open windows or doors to build nests indoors.
Frequency: 2
Put Up Physical Barriers
Hang insect screen mesh over porch ceilings, patios, and other outdoor living areas. The protective barrier blocks bees and wasps from building nests on overhead surfaces. For ground nests, spread mulch or small pebbles in flower beds, as wasps avoid building nests in these loose materials.
Frequency: 2
Use Repellent Plants
Plant marigolds, basil, mint, lavender, chives, garlic, and other natural insect repellents around your house. Their strong fragrances deter bees and wasps from settling. Crush leaves of these plants and spread around potential nesting sites for added repellent power. Refresh frequently.
Frequency: 3
Try Traps
Set up bee and wasp traps in early spring before queens start nesting. Traps lure in queens and prevent them from establishing colonies. For DIY traps, use sugary baits like jam inside soda bottles. Or purchase commercial traps with powerful attractants. Situate traps away from high traffic areas.
Frequency: 3
Apply Repellent Scents
Use essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, citronella, or lemongrass to repel bees and wasps. Mix 5-10 drops into water in a spray bottle. Spray repellent scents around potential nesting sites like patio covers, shed walls, fences, etc. Reapply after rain.
Frequency: 4
Plug Holes
Scan your yard for holes in the ground where yellowjackets often nest. Cover holes with soil or seal them with caulk to prevent yellowjackets from using them. Check rock walls, mulch beds, and the base of trees for small openings to plug up. Eliminate places where they can build underground nests.
Frequency: 2
Apply Slippery Substances
Coat surfaces where bees and wasps nest with slippery substances like petroleum jelly, vegetable oil, or insecticidal soap. The slick surface prevents them from attaching hives and building comb nests. Reapply frequently to maintain effectiveness.
Frequency: 1
Use Fake Nests
Hang fake wasp nests made of paper bags or purchase decoy hives. Wasps avoid building new nests very close to existing ones. However, use fake nests as a deterrent, not a stand-alone solution. Combine with other prevention methods for best results.
Frequency: 1
Inspect Regularly
Check your house, yard, and outdoor structures often for early signs of bees or wasps starting nests. Remove new nests immediately before they grow larger and become harder to manage. Being vigilant and getting rid of nests early is key for prevention.
Frequency: 1
Implement prevention methods before bees and wasps get settled in. With diligence and persistence, you can successfully keep them from nesting on or near your property. Stay safe from stings while enjoying pest-free time outdoors.
StepsMethod
- Leave a wasp’s nest alone unless it is an immediate threat to your safety or the safety of your family. Wildlife like wasps is good for the environment because they eat pests like grubs and weevils and help flowering plants get pollinated. [20] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
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- If the pain, swelling, or redness from a wasp sting doesn’t go away in 30 minutes or if you start to show signs of an allergic reaction, you should see a doctor right away. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1 .
- You can remove the wasp’s stinger with your fingernail or tweezers if you get stung while looking for nests on your property. Then, wash the area well with soap and water. Afterwards, apply ice to reduce the swelling. [21] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
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Keep Wasps Away With These 3 Easy Tips! [Wasp Prevention]
FAQ
What deters bees from building nests?
How do you stop wasps from making a nest?
How do you keep wasps and bees away?
What smell do wasps hate?
How do you keep wasps from nesting?
Spray common nesting areas with essential oils to keep wasps away. Fill a small spray bottle with 3–5 fluid ounces (89–148 mL) of water, then add a few drops each of clove, geranium, and lemongrass oil and shake well.
How do you get rid of wasps in your home?
The best method for this is to mix your essential oils into a spray bottle with some water and spritz the mixture around areas of your home. The best essential oils to use for repelling wasps include clove, lemongrass, geranium, and then place some drops of dish soap into the mix as well.
Does peppermint oil prevent Wasps from nesting?
Peppermint oil has been shown to be one of the best products to help prevent wasps from nesting in and around buildings. Peppermint oil is also generally cheaper than the essential oils mentioned above, so peppermint oil is a great alternative if you need to be budget-conscious.
Do wasps build nests?
Wasps have a propensity to build their nests in places where we humans wish they did not. Wasps are usually attracted to homes for various reasons, and when they find a place they like, they will almost immediately begin building a nest. So, how do you stop wasps from building nests?
How do you get rid of a paper wasp nest?
Mixing two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and one cup of water in a spray bottle can eliminate small paper wasp nests. Before using, shake the bottle well and soak the nest. The mixture will suffocate the wasps, killing them instantly. For the safest extermination method, spray the nest after dusk when the wasps are not active.
How can I prevent a wasp infestation?
To prevent future wasp infestations, seal up any cracks or holes where wasps could enter. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal gaps around doors and windows, and cover vents and chimneys with mesh screens.