Now that summer is here, we’re keeping the windows open and making the most of our gardens. But with this comes a wasp infestation, and if you want to keep wasps out of your home, you need to understand what attracts them. And these are five unusual household items that may unwittingly attract wasps into your home.
I’ll bet most of us want to know How to get rid of wasps. These buzzing insects not only have a nasty bite, but sometimes behave aggressively and are a phobia for many people. So, if you want to avoid a home and garden full of wasps, you need to pay attention to the things that attract them.
While there are many ways to prevent wasps, including: Using scent or else Fake wasp nestsLet’s address the root cause of what attracts them to your home in the first place.
1. Sweet candles and diffusers
In summer, more often than not, the The best candles And Reed Diffuser We love sweet, fruity scents for our home. While gourmand vanilla or floral rose smells wonderful to you and me, unfortunately, wasps are also big fans of these scents.
(Image credit: Future plc/James French)
Fruity or floral scented candles and reed diffusers are some of the most overlooked wasp attractors in the home. Wasps are drawn to sweet smells just as they are to ripe fruit, and a mango or tropical diffuser by an open window is necessarily a welcome sign. ‘Swap to a more neutral or citrus-based scent, which is less attractive to wasps and, in the case of citronella, is actively repellent,’ explains Mosh Latifi, co-owner of Ecocare Pest Management.
If you’re looking for a citronella candle that repels pests but also smells good to the human nose, I swear by Neom’s Complete Bliss Citronella Outdoor Candle (£55 at LookFantastic)Which doesn’t smell as overwhelming as other citronella candles and is incredibly fresh.
2. Outdoor cushions
I’m sorry to say it, but Your outdoor cushions attract wasps to your home, and it all depends on the potential of the nest that provides the cushion.
(Image credit: Future plc/B Homes)
‘This is not a major attraction, but outdoor cushions can sometimes provide sheltered places for wasps to investigate, especially if they are left outside all season. In some cases, worn or damaged furnishings can also provide fibers that certain species can use when building nests. Storing cushions when they’re not in use and replacing badly worn ones can help reduce the risk,’ says Luke Newness, gardening expert at Hilary’s.
To prevent wasps from making your outdoor cushions their home, store them in a Vacuum-seal bag (like this one on Amazon for £11.39) To prevent any creepy-crawlies from entering.
3. Bag for life
Yes, that lifetime bag you picked up at the supermarket and currently stashes in a cupboard, drawer or even your car can attract wasps to your home – especially if you haven’t cleaned it before storing it.
(Image credit: Getty Images/d3sign)
‘Reusable bags that contain groceries and are not washed regularly can retain food odors that attract wasps, especially if stored in a warm car boot or shed. Give the bag a regular wash, especially in the summer, and don’t store it near entry points to the house,’ says Mosh.
4. Standing water and leaky faucets
You should check your garden and home for any leaking taps or standing water, as this can also attract wasps to your home.
(Image credit: Future plc/Katie Lee)
‘Like most insects, wasps need water, especially in hot, dry weather. Dripping faucets, collecting water in plant trays, birdbaths, or other wet areas can become regular drinking spots. Fixing leaks and removing unnecessary standing water won’t completely stop wasps, but it can make your garden less attractive to them,’ says Luke.
If you have a bird bath and want to continue Support birds in hot weatherYou don’t need to remove it. Position it some distance away from your home to minimize the distance between you and any wasps. You can also consider planting Plants that wasps dislikeTo prevent them from approaching the area.
5. Pet food
Last but not least is pet food, which can also attract wasps into your home if left behind after your pet has finished eating.
(Image credit: Future plc / Jonah Henderson)
‘Cat and dog food in outside bowls, or even inside an open door or window, attract wasps looking for protein as much as sugar. Wasps actively seek protein sources in the summer to feed their larvae, and pet food is an easy target. Remove the pet’s bowl as soon as it’s finished feeding instead of leaving it down all day,’ says Mosh.
Get rid of wasps
rule
Neom Wellbeing Complete Bliss Citronella Outdoor Candle 350g
I have this citronella candle and it is great for keeping flies and wasps out of my house. Better yet, it smells fresh and not overpowering compared to other citronella scents.
vaspinator
Waspinator Wasp Nest Decoy – 2 Pack
Wasps instinctively avoid other colonies, so if they see a decoy nest, they will avoid the area. This is a great chemical free, environmentally friendly deterrent.
Nikura
Nikura Peppermint Essential Oil (Arvensis) – 100 ml
Fun fact, wasps don’t really like the smell of peppermint because it hinders their ability to find food and follow pheromone trails. Simply wipe oil around windows, doors and other entryways to prevent them.
I never would have guessed that some of these items would attract wasps to my house – especially my bag for life! But now that we know unusual things that attract wasps, we can make sure we don’t leave them lying around. After all, prevention is better than cure.
