If you’ve ever had an infestation of wasps in your garden, or a nest under the eaves of your home, then you’ll know how distressing this can be.
Walking outside to enjoy your summer starts to feel like you’re taking your life in your own hands, running or walking quickly before attracting the attention of one or more wasps.
Any owner who is preparing their home for sale this summer and finds wasps have descend on them, should call in a pest control professional immediately.
Naturally, no buyer is going to want to walk through a home and risk being stung. And likewise, you should not risk your own wellbeing by trying to remove a wasps’ nest without the training and right equipment.
If you have a wasps’ nest high up a tree, you’re probably safe to leave them alone. They only get aggressive if they think you are a threat to their nest.
Also, resist the urge to swat and squash them.
In such situations, a wasp will release a pheromone that calls in reinforcements – and they won’t be happy wasps!
Here are some more tips for minimizing the possibility of your home attracting wasps this summer.
Reduce dead vegetation – Wasps love dead bugs and rotting vegetation, especially paper wasps. Open compost piles, which are great for your flowerbeds, will be an irresistible lure to wasps. Be careful when you turn over your compost, as wasps have been known to make nests there.
Nothing sweet – Wasps will descend on fallen fruit from a tree, especially if it is rotting. If you’re growing tomatoes this summer, make sure they don’t rot on the vine or drop onto the flowerbeds.
Food magnet – It’s a good idea to cover food and drinks when entertaining outdoors. You’d be amazed how common it is for someone to be stung in the mouth or throat because they took a drink with a wasp swimming in it. You have to be especially careful with canned drinks.
Clear away – Don’t leave food out after you’ve entertained family and friends with a cookout. Clear everything away immediately so wasps don’t linger around your home and believe it to be a permanent source of food.
No bird feeders – Many expert gardens will tell you that bird feeders will likely attract more wasps than birds. So, if you’re worried about wasps, don’t put out bird feeders.
Sealing in wasps – Wasps can make nests in and behind the brickwork and mortar of your home. Some folks will spray and seal them in. Don’t do that. Wasps could break through the drywall and enter your living areas. Instead, call a pest controller.