Wasp Repellant - Ask Extension
My area seems to have a lot of wasps that want to build nests around my home, on the patio, the electrical breaker box, or in the grill. Everything I...
Knowledgebase
Wasp Repellant #879058
Asked July 27, 2024, 7:34 PM EDT
My area seems to have a lot of wasps that want to build nests around my home, on the patio, the electrical breaker box, or in the grill.
Everything I have found wants to kill them and any bees that happen to be around. I don't want to kill them, ESPECIALLY the bees, I just don't want them moving in!
Is there something non-toxic that can be spread or sprayed around to get them to move on and make the yard safe?
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Walt,
Yellowjackets will regularly return to sites where food and water sources are available. Therefore, it is important to deter yellowjackets from visiting an area by eliminating all food sources (e.g., open garbage cans, pet foods). Water sources around the yard may also attract yellowjackets during hot, drought-stricken periods. Regularly clean your grill to eliminate food sources.
Here is some information on controlling wasps without also killing bees:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/western-yellowjacket-wasp-spring-control/
and
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/nuisance-wasps-and-bees-5-525/
While dealing with stinging insects, caution should be used and if in great abundance, you may need to seek professional help.
Some other more natural remedies include:
Elimination of a nest using a hose-end sprayer of dish detergent and water.
While not 100% effective, utilizing concentrated peppermint oil has been observed to reduce the return of wasps to a specific spot.
Wasps are territorial, and they typically won’t build next to another nest. While again not 100% effective, you can purchase a false wasp nest. There are a variety of products for this, some look very much like a paper lantern, and others look similar to a real nest.
Yellowjackets will regularly return to sites where food and water sources are available. Therefore, it is important to deter yellowjackets from visiting an area by eliminating all food sources (e.g., open garbage cans, pet foods). Water sources around the yard may also attract yellowjackets during hot, drought-stricken periods. Regularly clean your grill to eliminate food sources.
Here is some information on controlling wasps without also killing bees:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/western-yellowjacket-wasp-spring-control/
and
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/nuisance-wasps-and-bees-5-525/
While dealing with stinging insects, caution should be used and if in great abundance, you may need to seek professional help.
Some other more natural remedies include:
Elimination of a nest using a hose-end sprayer of dish detergent and water.
While not 100% effective, utilizing concentrated peppermint oil has been observed to reduce the return of wasps to a specific spot.
Wasps are territorial, and they typically won’t build next to another nest. While again not 100% effective, you can purchase a false wasp nest. There are a variety of products for this, some look very much like a paper lantern, and others look similar to a real nest.
Thanks for your help, andd I will toss in here that I ADORE the Extension!!!
The ones I have seem to be atypical. I only have water in the front yard for the wildlife and the back yard is basically dry prairie. The grill is on the patio, but end of the season last year, I completely dismantled and scrubbed it down.
So what I think I will do is start planning for the end of this season, or spring, and spraying the wood rafters with the oil. Might be strong for a while but the trade off is worth it.
Thanks again for your reply!
Walt
