How to Keep Wasps Away

Portland OR - Beaverton OR - Lake Oswego OR - Vancouver WA

Warm weather is on the way and many of us are excited to get outside. Whether you’re planning a picnic, hosting a backyard dinner party, or just want to enjoy your garden, there’s one guest you don’t want dropping by—wasps. 

These pests are an annual problem here in the Pacific Northwest, and their aggressive behaviors can be a real problem as you try to enjoy some time outdoors. While you may not be able to avoid them everywhere, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to keep wasps away from your property.

What Attracts Wasps to a Yard?

In order to ward off wasps, you have to know what’s bringing them to your yard in the first place. Though every species is different, here are some common factors that could increase your odds of having wasps:

• Fruit trees: Like many other insects, wasps often feed on sugary plant matter. So, if you have an abundance of fruit trees that aren’t regularly harvested, it won’t be long before wasps start flying by to eat the leftovers. 
• Bright flowers: We aren’t the only ones who love a bright and beautiful garden. Since wasps are important pollinators, they’re attracted to spaces with lots of flowers. Even sweet floral scents, like perfume, could be enough to attract them to your yard.
• Grilling: Wasps don’t just feed on nectar; they also eat meat and are more likely to invade your space if they smell it nearby. Grilling, bringing food outside, or even leaving your trash unattended could invite wasps to your area.
• Outdoor furniture: Many species create large nests in sheltered areas, so they’re drawn to yards with plenty of hiding places. Outdoor furniture is a common culprit, though wasps may also build a nest in other places like porches and wood sheds.
• Parked cars: If you have a car that’s been parked in your driveway or yard for months without being driven, it could become a home to wasps. The hood and other compartments provide plenty of undisturbed shelter, which could set you up for an unpleasant surprise if you try to take the car out for a ride later on.
• Water features: Slow-moving water can attract pests of all kinds, including wasps. These stinging insects need moisture to survive, and especially as weather gets hot, a peaceful water feature (or a leaky pipe) might make your yard more attractive. 
• Pet food bowls: A lot of people don’t think twice about leaving a pet food bowl out all day for their dog or cat to munch on throughout the day. However, pet food is nutrient-dense, and wasps may start feeding on it as well. 

How to Keep Wasps Out of Your Yard

Now that you know what attracts wasps to a yard in the first place, it’s time to make a few changes that will deter these pests from settling into your property. If you want to keep wasps out of your yard, try following these steps:

• Cover Food and Drinks: When dining outdoors, cover food and drinks with tight-fitting lids or mesh screens. Wasps are attracted to the scent of food, especially sweet or savory items, so keeping them covered will reduce the likelihood of attracting unwanted visitors.
• Maintain Your Yard: Keep your yard tidy by regularly picking up fallen fruit, trimming overgrown vegetation, and sealing outdoor garbage cans tightly. By removing potential food sources and nesting sites, you can make your yard less inviting to wasps.
• Hang a Fake Wasp Nest: Wasps are very territorial and unlikely to build a nest near another colony. If you’ve had wasp problems in the past, hanging a fake nest closeby could deter them from coming back.
• Remove Standing Water: Eliminate sources of standing water in your yard, such as birdbaths, clogged gutters, or stagnant ponds. Wasps are attracted to water sources for drinking and nesting, so reducing moisture levels can make your yard less appealing to them.
• Move Your Cars Regularly: Even just turning on your car every couple of days may deter wasps and other pests from setting up camp inside of them. If it’s been a while since you last drove it, though, be sure to carefully inspect it before getting inside. 
• Repair Screens: While door and window screens may not make your space less attractive to wasps, it will help keep them out of your home should they settle nearby. At least twice a year, inspect and repair those screens to keep them in good shape.
• Install Traps: Place commercially available wasp traps or DIY traps baited with sugary substances in strategic locations around your yard. Regularly empty and clean the traps to maintain their effectiveness.

Professional Wasp Removal in the Pacific Northwest

If you keep coming across wasps every time you step outside, or if you’ve found signs of an infestation such as a nest, then it’s important to contact a professional wasp removal company as quickly as possible. Attempting to remove the nest without the right tools or expertise could lead to some painful stings, so resist the urge to try and handle the problem on your own. 

When you have a wasp problem, Summit Pest Management is here to help! We’ve serve the the Pacific Northwest area, and we offer a full range of fast, eco-conscious, and humane wasp removal services that will protect your yard and your health. If you want to learn about our methods or get a free quote, contact us today!