Summer is the time of the year when all sorts of insects and household pests make their appearance around gardens and properties. Aside from the usual suspects—ants, cockroaches and rodents—wasps are a common garden enemy.
For many people, dealing with a wasp infestation is as simple as contacting one of the services for pest control Wodonga property owners trust for removing pesky bug problems. Some people however prefer to deal with the problem as naturally as possibly. Let’s discuss all your options.
Dealing With a Wasp Infestation
Wasps, like bees aren’t a major problem unless you have an allergy or you’re allergic to wasp venom. Unlike cockroaches, wasps don’t carry diseases and usually don’t invade your home. More good news is that wasp nests near your home aren’t that common.
But, on the off chance that you do have a few nests hanging above your back door, it’s good to know there are a few tips you can use to get rid of them. It also helps to know a little more about these creatures.
What’s the Difference Between a Wasp and a Bee?
It’s important to know the difference between a wasp and a bee because getting rid of them requires different steps. Treatment of the allergies also requires different methods.
The key difference is in how they look:
- Wasps are generally a lot slimmer and longer than bees.
- Depending on the species, wasps can either be yellow and black or a brown rusty colour.
- Unlike bees, wasps aren’t hairy, and they also don’t swarm as bees do.
If you get stung by a wasp, it’s usually just one. It’s highly unlikely that they will swarm.
Identifying a Wasp Nest
Wasp nests are very distinctive and are usually made from wood pulp and saliva. The most common place to find a wasp nest is in a sheltered spot such as a corner or wall cavity. Wasps also nest in log piles, trees, fireplaces, or even underground.
Once you identify a hanging wasp nest, it’s important to not try and remove it or beat it down. While wasps don’t swarm, you might not know upfront if you have an allergy to wasp venom and fiddling around with the nest might get you stung.
What Should You Do with A Wasp Nest?
There are many tips and ideas on how to get rid of a wasp nest. The best remedy though is to call your trusted pest control professional. These experts have the necessary training to remove and relocate the nest to a safer place.
An Effective Natural Remedy for Keeping Wasps at Bay
If you only have a few lone wasps buzzing around a high traffic area, there’s a handy DIY spray that you can make to keep the insects from going into your home. You’ll need 1 tablespoon of peppermint oil and 4 cups of water.
Follow these few steps to manage wasps in a natural way:
- Mix 4 cups of water with 1 tablespoon of peppermint oil
- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle
- Shake the solution to mix well
- Spray the areas of your home where you see the wasp
- You can also spray the door and window frames to prevent the wasps from entering your home and making a nest
- If you’re spraying the mixture near a nest, do it from as far away as possible and wear long sleeves and gloves to prevent getting stung
Peppermint oil is a common natural remedy against other insects which means you’ll be protecting the affected area from spiders, flies and cockroaches as well!
Additional Tips to Remove Wasps
When you’re going to spray the nest or the area around the nest, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:
- Wear tight, long sleeved tops and long pants clothing to avoid wasps from getting into your clothes
- Approach the nest slowly so you don’t excite the wasps
- Spray the area around the nest as close to dusk or at night time when the wasps are in the nest and will experience the solution when it’s at its strongest
- Patch cracks and crevices in the walls around your home to prevent wasps from getting in
- Apply peppermint oil to the areas where you’ve had wasp nests before
- Ensure there are no food sources that make nesting on your property favourable
- Teach children to avoid wasps and not poke sticks at their nests
- Should anyone get stung by a wasp, try to take a picture of the type of wasp as this will help medical professionals treat the sting
Final Thought
If you have a very big wasp nest or anyone in your household has a known bee or wasp allergy, it’s crucial to leave the wasp removal to the experts. Even if you call in your local pest controller, make sure allergic family members have anti-allergy medications on hand. You never know where a stray bug can end up and sting someone.
Removing a wasp nest is not a difficult process but requires some insight. With the help from the right professionals, your home will be wasp free in no time!
