How To Repel Or Remove Wasps Without Killing Them
Updated: 9th February 2021
How can you repel or remove wasps without actually killing them?
Increasingly, people are understanding that wasps are beneficial to the environment: they are pollinators and helpful as a form of natural pest control in the garden, carrying off aphids to feed their young. We are increasingly evolving beyond the 'kill anything we may think is a threat' position, to trying to find other methods of dealing with every day issues and concerns.
Elsewhere on my website I have a page featuring images and information sent in by other readers who decided to brave it out, and leave the wasps alone. They include a wasp nest in a porch overhang, one in a barbecue, and yet another in a bird house. All of the readers were pleased to share their experiences, and you can read more on my page about wasp nests.
Another reader photographed the insides of an abandoned wasp nest, and took the completely empty remains to her local junior school to provide an interesting topic of conversation and learning! Social wasp nests are amazing structures on a par with honeycombs. Read about it on my page: structure of a social wasp nest.
This wasp nest was in our attic. We had no idea it was there until we discovered it when we were retrieving a box of Christmas decorations. By then, the nest was long abandoned. The wasps had not bothered us at all.
Below are a few thoughts and ideas for you to try, but first:
Removing wasp nests - 3 points to consider
A nest like this found in the garden shed will probably be abandoned later in the year. Adding an inexpensive piece of net curtain may serve as a temporary barrier between the nest and the rest of a shed, as long as it is added before the nest becomes very active. This kind of solution is actually heaper than pest control call out fees. Ensure the wasps are guided out of their usual escape route. The decision of whether or not to leave the wasps alone, has to be a personal one. A stinging incident can happen, but steps can be taken to minimize risk of such an event.- Aerial wasp nests only last a season.
- You are more likely to be bothered by an active wasp colony later in the season when the colony is well developed.
- Sometimes, it is possible to put in place some net curtain or similar to serve as a barrier. The netting can be reused at a later date if necessary. You can pick up cheap net curtaining from thrift stores or charity shops.
Wasps are hairy, and like bees, they are also pollinators. They are helpful in the garden too, as pest control.
What we really need to do is stop or prevent the wasps bothering us
If you really must remove an active wasp nest with many, many wasps, you will not be able to do this yourself, and will need to seek the assistance of a professional.
I am not aware of any pest controllers who remove active wasp nests without killing the wasps.
I'm not aware of any methods of simply removing and relocating a wasp nest with the whole colony intact.
So, if we do not wish to harm or kill the wasps, what we need to do is dissuade them from bothering us for the period that they are around.
In this way, we can get rid of wasps without killing them, whilst allowing them to get along with their jobs in the eco-system.
Repelling wasps
1. Wasps around the BBQ or picnic table. Repelling wasps when eating or camping out doors
You are more likely to be bothered by wasps later in the season, when there are more workers, males and generally more mouths to feed. Please note, male wasps cannot sting.
You may find they are attracted to sweet drinks, jams and cakes.
Try the following tips:
- Hang a 'Waspinator' by your barbecue or eating area. They mimic wasp nests which, (because wasps are territorial) is said to help drive them away and deters wasps from building nests.
Another theory is that a bag of water with a shiny coin inside helps to deter wasps. Apparently, the sound of the coin causes a very high pitched vibration wave the wasps don't like. Is this correct, and does it work? I have no idea, but would be interested to hear of any success or otherwise with this method!
- Cover sweets drinks and foods.
- If you have a large garden, try distracting wasps to another location, by placing over ripe fruit, sugar water, banana
skins away from seating and eating areas.
- Keep bare feet covered - especially where children are concerned.
- Use a safe, deet-free insect repellent. Try a repellent containing Picaridin.
- Do not eat close to open bins, and generally ensure the lids of household refuse containers are kept firmly in place.
- Do not plan your eating areas or
have your picnics in a location close to soft fruit trees - especially ripe plums or apricots, for example, because wasps are attracted to soft, ripe, plump fruits.
- There is a theory that wasps
are attracted to perspiration, so wear an anti-perspirant! There are
even versions available containing natural insect repellents.
- If you are camping, check whether some of your clothing and equipment (such as sleeping bag, rucksack) can safely be sprayed with a deet-free repellent.
2. Wasps around children, babies and their prams
- Try a wrist band insect repellent for children. Many are deet free.
- Try spraying a top pram cover or clothing with a natural,
deet-free insect repellent. First check that the repellent you use is safe
for this purpose before doing so, especially where babies are
concerned.
- Clean away and dry children's hands and faces after and during eating, and change clothing that has had spillages - especially things like fruit juice and ice cream.
- Clean away food and liquid spillage around children.
- Ensure food is covered. For picnics, try to take yummy foods that can be popped into the mouth and kept in a sealed container. Ensure drinks are covered and your child uses a straw.
- Don't let your children run around in bare feet - including on lawns. Keep feet covered.
- Check to see if children's clothing/hats can be sprayed with a suitable deet-free repellent.
3. Wasps near the house, window, office, porch, front door, garden shed, or guttering
Firstly, try to keep wasps out of your house, office or building:
- Keep sweet drinks, cakes,
soft fruit away from windows!
- Tape net fabric securely to
the windows to prevent wasps entering. Net fabric can be purchased cheaply and be quite effective as a temporary solution.
- However tempted you are to
splat the wasps, don't - you'll only attract more of them!
- If you are especially
concerned, try a deet-free, non toxic insect repellent sprayed on the net fabric or around the windows and doors (check it won't
be flammable, even in direct sunlight, and you may have to spray the curtain
repeatedly). Check the repellent can be safely used in such a way first.
Finally........
Try the bag and coin trick described above, and hang a Waspinator to prevent wasp visitors next season!
