-
-
Depending on the species of the intruder, a wasp nest in your yard or garden can cause trouble, especially if you or one of your fellow residents is allergic to their stings. If you're looking for a way to eliminate wasps from your garden without using harsh chemicals or pesticides, this guide on how to get rid of wasps organically will show you how.
-
-
Featured
This video explains ways to get rid of wasps and bees naturally. This expert recommends using a simple mixture of soap and water. Spray the mixture on the wasp nests - it will eventually stop the insect's ability to breathe and they will die. Be especially careful, allow plenty of time for the insects to die before you attempt to knock down the nest. And if you are allergic to wasps, consider letting someone else handle the problem.
-
Introduction
- Although some species are not aggressive, and you may not even noticed that they have built a nest in your yard, other wasps can be highly aggressive and territorial. Depending on where they have chosen to nest, a colony of wasps may make it difficult for children to play safely and for you to care for your yard and garden.
Leave Them Be
- Wasps have a relatively short life cycle—usually from mid-summer until early fall. If you don't notice the wasps until September, keep in mind that they will likely die within a few weeks, after which you can safely remove and destroy the nest, so it may not be worth your while to take aggressive action against them. Likewise, if the nest is located in a low-traffic area and the wasps aren't bothering you, consider just letting them be for the remainder of the season.
Hire a Professional
- The safest and most effective way to rid your yard of wasps is to hire a professional exterminator. If you are allergic to wasp stings, this is probably your best option, since you will not have to risk getting stung. Look for an exterminator that uses organic pest removal methods, not pesticides or chemicals. He or she will likely be able to fix your wasp problem within an hour or less. However, if this is not an option, read on for some do-it-yourself options.
Step 1: Locate the Nest
- Your first step in getting rid of wasps is to locate the nest. During midday, when the wasps are most active, observe their flight patterns to see which areas they seem to be returning to regularly. Common places where wasps may nest include:
- In or under eaves and other overhangs
- In attics
- In trees or bushes
- In plies of wood or garden waste
- In building cavities
- In openings between or inside fence planks
Step 2: Suit Up
- If you are going to take aggressive action against the wasps, be aware that you may get stung. To avoid the chances of getting stung, cover as much of your body as possible by wearing long pants, long sleeves and a hat.
Step 3: Time it Right
- Wasps are less active during the evening, when it is colder, so wait until then to take action against them. The colder it is, the more difficult it is for wasps to fly, so they become sluggish and much less apt to sting people.
Step 4: Strategies to Get Rid of Wasps
- There are several recommended ways to get rid of wasps organically including:
- Sucking them up with a vacuum
- Spraying them with an organic insecticide
- Spraying the nest with a high-powered hose or pressure washer
- Spraying the nest with a solution of mint extract, alcohol and water
Once you have killed or subdued all the wasps in the nest, remove and destroy the nest.
Conclusion
- Wasps can be annoying yard and garden pests, but they only live for a few months, so if you can wait them out, you can avoid the hassle of killing them. Your first step in getting rid of wasps is locating the nest. Regardless of what method you use to subdue or kill the wasps in and around the nest, be sure to remove and destroy the nest to discourage any remaining wasps from coming back.
Featured Pages
