Wasps are drawn to bright colors and sweet smells.
Wasps thrive during the summer, and by September their nests mature. It is around that time that they usually fly around in garden areas, favoring flowers and zones where there is food or garbage. According to U-Spray, Inc., the most frequent types are paper wasps and yellow jackets even though many more species exist in North America. If you don't want to put up with wasps and their friends, try to drive them away naturally.
Instructions
1. Trap wasps in sweet soda bottles.
Fool wasps by using a 2-liter bottle of soda. Make sure that there is no more than 2 inches of sweet soda within the bottle. Myles Bader, author of the book, "Club the Bugs & Scare the Critters," claims that since they like sweet soda, wasps will find their way into the soda bottle, where they will be trapped, as they are not smart enough to find their way out.
2. Use a swatter to get rid of wasps in the house.
A New York times article, "Your Home; Eliminating Wasps and Their Nests," quotes the advice of Michael F. Potter, a professor of urban entomology at the University of Kentucky: "The easiest way to dispose of these insects found indoors is with a vacuum cleaner, broom or fly swatter.'' He states that when wasps initially come out of hibernation, they are slothful and lethargic and therefore tend land on nearby windows.
3. Use sealing tape to cover potential entry points for wasps.
Look out for any cracks on doors and windows, and seal them securely to keep wasps from entering the house. Try to observe the insect's pathway in the morning to identify entrance or exit points. It is likable that monitoring these insects will help you indicate nest locations, should there be any nearby.
4. Wasps are attracted to the sweet taste of fruit.
Keep your outdoor area free of any picnic oddments, exposed garbage or pet food. In early fall, wasps seek sweet food and protein and are also more aggressive. Sweet food sources will attract them, so be sure to cover drinks or open food containers. You can also collect any fruit rotting on the ground as well as steer clear of walking barefoot near fruit trees.
5. If you are tempted to squash a wasp outdoors, take a step back and choose an alternative. If you swat the insect you are likely to attract more of its kind. According to the article "Natural Wasp Control," swatting a wasp will release the chemical pheromone which will catch the attention of other nearby wasps.
6. Make smart clothing choices for yourself to avoid attracting wasps in your garden or home. Floral designs and vivid colors are bound to attract these insects. During the summer months, avoid wearing strong fragrance as wasps are generally attracted by sweet smells.
Tags: sweet soda, these insects, attracted sweet, find their, sweet smells