How To Keep Wasps Away From Patios (Multiple Ways)

There’s nothing worse than having an outside party only to be invaded by wasps. So it begs the question, how do you keep wasps away from patios?

To keep wasps away from patios, you want to ensure you clean up any food or drinks outside, use pest-repellant plants, pick up droppings from fruit trees, hang faux wasp nests, and cover your trash.

This article will discuss why wasps find their way to your patio and the best ways to keep them away. In addition, we’ll cover the easiest ways to get rid of wasps.

Why Wasps Are Attracted To Your Patios

So, what attracts wasps to your patio? Here are the main reasons you’ll find the pest outside your home.

Wasps are attracted to sugars and meats
Your scented body sprays attract wasps
Wasps are attracted to bright flowers and plants
Patios serve as shelters for wasps
Standing water can attract wasps to patios

Understanding what attracts wasps to your patio can also help prevent a problem before it starts.

Best Ways To Keep Wasps Away From Patios

Wasps are a nuisance and a pest you want to try to keep away. While wasps serve some benefits, like pollinating and controlling pests that eat crops, you don’t want them to build a nest on your patio.

Whether you have a minor issue or a full-blown infestation, you want to work on keeping wasps away from your personal space.

Here are some of the best ways to keep wasps off your patio.

Clean Up After Outdoor Parties

Wasps will gladly snack on leftover food from your outdoor party, so you must clean up before heading in for the night. In addition, you shouldn’t forget to wipe any tables clean, as wasps can be attracted to spills left behind.

Pick Up Droppings From Fruit Trees

Wasps thoroughly enjoy the dropped fruit from your favorite tree, so you want to ensure you clean up any fallen fruit. If you compost, you can add the dropped fruit to your pile. In addition, all fruit trees should be far away from your home. If your fruit trees are too close to your home, you might also start finding wasps inside.

Use Pest-Repellant Plants

There are several pest-repellant plants you can use to keep always away from patios. You can either plant them directly in the ground or use planters to move them around as needed. Some plants wasps do not like are:

Cloves
Basil
Spearmint
Peppermint
Lemongrass
Geranium
Thyme Citronella

You can also use essential oils as a way to keep wasps away. For example, it would be best to spray the oils in your patio areas where you find wasps.

Keep Drinks Covered

Your favorite fruity drink is an open invitation to wasps. Next time you are outside, ensure you have something covering your drink. You also want to ensure you don’t leave any sugary drinks outside for an extended period, as it might attract wasps.

Remove Water Sources

If you have a bird bath, kiddie pool, or any other water source on your patio, then it could be why wasps find their way to you. In addition, ensure you don’t have any leaky hoses or puddles nearby that could attract wasps.

Put Up Faux Wasp Nests

Wasps are territorial and won’t come close if they think another hive has staked out a specific place. Instead, you can hang a faux wasp nest on your patio and move it around as necessary.

Cover Your Trash

While it seems obvious, keeping your trash covered effectively keeps wasps away from patios. You also want to ensure you don’t leave any pieces of debris outside, as it can attract other pests besides wasps.

Easy Ways To Get Rid of Wasp Nests

You may have wondered what to do if you find a wasp nest on your patio. Luckily, there are several ways to eliminate the issue and help make your patio a safe place to relax again. Since wasps are most active during the day, wait until nightfall before you try to eliminate your problem.

Follow these simple steps to get rid of wasp nests.

1. Use an insecticide to eliminate wasps. One of the most tried and true ways to get rid of wasps is to use an insecticide. Once the sun goes down and the wasps sleep, you can spray the insecticide directly on the nest. Ensure you wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt if the wasps retaliate.

2. Mix soap and water to eliminate a wasp nest. Mix two tablespoons of dish soap with water in a spray bottle and spray the nest directly. Again, it’s best to go after the nest once the sun has gone down.

3. Pour boiling water on the nest. Using boiling water on a wasp nest will work if the nest is not above you. However, if you find a wasp nest under a railing or behind your deck, pouring a pot of boiling water on it can help eliminate the issue. Boiling water also works great if there’s a wasp nest in the ground.

4. Call a professional. Sometimes you should leave a wasp problem to a professional. A professional can use their expertise to identify the problem and develop a solution. They can also help guide you in preventative measures, so the wasps don’t come back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do wasps keep coming to my patio?

If you often have BBQs or picnics on your patio, then you likely are leaving food behind for wasps. Whether you notice the droppings, the pests will find their way to food sources left behind. Wasps love proteins, so next time you grill outside, ensure you put away all leftover meats.

Can vinegar keep wasps away?

Vinegar is an excellent substance at keeping wasps away without killing them. You can use either white or apple cider vinegar to deter wasps. It would be best to add equal parts vinegar and water to a spray bottle and cover the wasp nest on your patio.

Conclusion

By following these simple tips, you can keep wasps away from your patio and make the area a safe place to relax again. Whether you are using essential oils or an insecticide, getting rid of wasps doesn’t have to be complicated. Try out a few of these methods and see which works best for you.

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How To Keep Wasps Away From Patios (Multiple Ways)