Wasps are aggressive stinging insects and most people don’t want them around. When we refer to wasps, we are referring to stinging insects in general, including paper wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and mud daubers.
But how do keep them out of your backyard and away from your family and pets?
Keep Wasps Away From Your Porter, Texas Backyard Cookout
There are a few simple tricks that you can use to keep the wasps away from your Porter backyard cookout. Understanding a few basic tricks will give you an advantage over wasps.
Do Wasps Attack You?
Wasps are attracted to protein and sugar, depending what time of the season it is, so the smell of grilling meat and barbecue sauce is likely to be a draw for them.
Also keep in mind that wasps are extremely aggressive. Do NOT swat at them! Killing one wasp may feel empowering, but it also causes pheromones to be released which attract other wasps. They will show up to attack you in larger numbers.
“How Do I Get Rid of Wasps?”
- Repel them. Repelling wasps is an effective first step
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- Flying Insect Repellent. Make sure you and your family use a reliable flying insect repellent when outdoors.
- Paper bag decoy wasp nest. Wasps are aggressive, but also very territorial. A fake “wasp nest,” made quickly with a crumpled paper bag and hung nearby makes wasps think that this territory is already claimed.
- Sliced cucumbers. Cucumbers have an acidic property that wasps hate. Cut up several slices and leave them around your grilling or picnic area. They will avoid you and let you enjoy your food. Fresh garlic cloves and lemon, or peppermint essential oil will have a similar repellent effect.
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- Wasp-repelling plants. Wasps are sure to avoid plants like mint, wormwood, and lemongrass.
- Spray them.
Check around your yard, along fences, in trees, and the eaves under your roof for wasp nests, and spray the nests using a foaming wasp & hornet killer spray. Always keep outdoor trash covered to keep wasps (and flies) away. Also check around your yard in the ground for yellow jacket nests to spray.
Must Read :WHAT TO DO ABOUT MILLIPEDES IN YOUR HUMBLE, TEXAS BACKYARD - You can also spray wasps and their nests directly with soapy water. The soap sticks to their wings and weighs them down. Eventually they will suffocate.
No matter what you do, wasps are a part of living in Texas, and you can only do so much yourself. If you are overwhelmed by a wasp problem, or even for preventive maintenance contact our Porter, TX pest control experts today! Let us help you and your family enjoy the quiet of a yard free of wasps.
