No one wants stinging insects buzzing around their home and yard. Unfortunately, wasps aren’t afraid to settle down in your space. Thankfully, there are things you can do to deter these pests from invading. Check out how you can prevent a wasp infestation.
Clean Up Crumbs & Spills
Wasps are attracted to many of the foods you enjoy eating. These pests prefer proteins and sweets. After dining outside, clean up any scraps of food. Covering food can also help deter wasps. Keep the inside of your house free of crumbs and spills too. Pick up any ripe or rotten fruit laying around your yard.
Seal Entry Points
If wasps can find a way to squeeze into your home, they will. Seal any cracks or gaps to prevent pests from entering. Keep your doors and windows shut unless you have screens on them. Repair any tears. As winter approaches, you’ll want to ensure there aren’t any cracks near your roofline. Queen wasps overwinter in warm areas in homes including attics.
Eliminate Moisture
Wasps are attracted to areas with moisture build-up. It’s important to check for and repair leaky pipes or hoses. Remove items where water can collect and become stagnant. If you have pet water bowls or birdbaths in your yard, be sure to change the water regularly.
Cover Your Trash
Garbage can house potential food sources for wasps. Remove trash from your home and yard and make sure it’s placed in a sealed trash bin. Compost piles can also attract stinging pests, so be sure to cover it. Keep lids shut on recycling bins and rinse out bottles before disposing of them. When possible, avoid placing bins close to your house.
Keep Your Yard Clean
Paper wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets search for places to build nests. Your yard provides them with plenty of options. Keeping your lawn and shrubs trimmed can help minimize sheltering spots. It will also make it easier to see nests, which will make it easier to eliminate an infestation.
Get Rid of Other Pests
If you’re dealing with other bug problems, it could lead to a wasp infestation. Wasp larvae eat other pests including ants, beetles, aphids, crickets, and spiders. Getting rid of these pests will help to prevent wasps from hanging around your yard and home. Our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products can help take care of pesky bugs.
Fill Holes in the Ground
Some wasps, like yellow jackets, build their nests underground. They often choose spots near the base of trees. Examine your yard for holes where these pests could settle down. Filling in holes will make it harder for nests to be built, helping to keep these pests away.
Check for Nests
Taking the time to examine your yard and home for nests is important. Early detection can help to prevent large infestations. Common nesting spots include bushes, tree limbs, attics, crawlspaces, under decks, porches, eaves, and in sheds.
Create a Protective Barrier
Spraying your yard with a plant-based insecticide spray can help prevent wasps and other pests. Our Yard Bug Spray kills wasps on contact and provides residual repellency. This will create a barrier that helps to keep stinging insects out. You can apply the spray to the perimeter of your yard and house.
Tips to Prevent a Wasp Sting
A wasp sting is a quick way to ruin your fun outdoor activities. Check out a few tips to help prevent a wasp sting.
- Cover Up: Whether you’re spending time outside or treating a nest, covering your skin can help prevent stings. When treating a nest, it’s a good idea to wear gloves too.
- Choose Colors Carefully: Bright colors and patterns can attract stinging insects. They mimic the appearance of flowers, which can be problematic because wasps feed on plant nectar.
- Avoid Strong Fragrances: Strong perfumes, colognes, and lotions can lead wasps to you. Floral or sweet scents are more likely to attract these pests. Be careful when applying these items before heading outside.