Get Rid of Wasps in Your House

Wasps, like bees, aren’t inherently bad. They pollinate and contribute to the environment in a positive way. However, when they get around people, they are known to get aggressive. Many people are allergic to their stings which makes them exponentially dangerous. Eliminating wasp nests before they get large is the key to control.[1] When they get into your house, you will likely want to take natural remedies that are safe for your house and your family to get rid of them.

Steps

Using a Soda Bottle Trap

  1. Gather your materials. This is easy to make and can be put in the corner of the room that has a wasp problem.
    • Scissors
    • Empty plastic bottle (2L)
    • Tape
    • Bait (watered down dish soap)[2]
  2. Remove the bottle cap and cut through the bottle a third of the way down. Be sure to do this carefully with your scissors. You can also use a razor blade if the scissors don’t seem to be cutting through the bottle.
  3. Place your bait in the bottom of the bottle. If you want to add vinegar, it will still attract the wasps but won’t attract bees.
  4. Invert the top third of the bottle and slide in into the base. This is going to form your at-home trap.
  5. Tape the two pieces of the bottle together and place it anywhere in the room. The wasps will be attracted to the bait, fly through the neck of the bottle, and get stuck in the bottom where they will die.
    • If you wish to hang it, heat two ends of a wire and stick them into either side of the bottle and hang it once the wire is secure.
  6. Be sure to empty your trap consistently. If too many wasps die, they can make a sort of raft for other wasps to live on in the bottom of the trap.

Putting Up a Fake Nest

  1. Gather the materials for your fake nest. Wasps are very territorial creatures, and they won’t build a nest if they think there is another colony living nearby. Plus, they will leave if they think that another colony has moved into their neighborhood.[3] If the colony moves further from your home, the wasps in your house will go with it.
    • Plastic bag
    • Paper bag
    • Shredded paper
    • Twine
  2. Fill your plastic bag with shredded paper. This is going to be the innards of your nest. Your plastic bag should be packed tightly with shredded paper because it is the main form of your nest.The plastic bag will help it withstand the elements.[4]
    • Crumple your paper bag. This will give it somewhat of a “nest” look. Once you’ve crumpled it, open it back up and put your filled plastic bag inside.
  3. Hang your nest. Use your twine to hang it near the existing nest. It needs to be close enough that the existing wasps will notice it.
  4. Leave the wasp with the window open. Close the door to the room that has wasps in it. Leave the window open so that the wasp can get out. They will leave and travel with their colony.

Making a Natural Insecticide Spray

  1. Be careful. This requires you to get closer to the wasps than the others, so it’s recommended against if you’re allergic to wasps.
  2. Find the things you need. Rather than normal insecticides which are potentially dangerous for your family, this requires no harmful ingredients. For this method, you will only need an empty spray bottle, water, witch hazel, and peppermint essential oil.[5]
  3. Make your solution. Fill it almost to the top with half distilled water and half witch hazel. Add 30-50 drops of peppermint essential oil.
  4. Spray it on the wasps in your home as they come along. The peppermint oil will stick to the wasps, making it difficult for them to fly and will lead to their hasty demise.


Preventing Wasps

  1. Put food away. Like many pests, wasps are attracted to food—especially foods that are high in sugar and meat products. This includes pet food. Make sure that your trash cans are sealed tight, bird feeders are far from the house, and food isn’t left out.[3]
  2. Seal entry points. Check your house for unsealed vents, torn screens, cracks around windows and door frames, or open dampers. Seal off these problem areas and the wasps no longer have entry ways into your home.
  3. Avoid swatting. Swatting wasps is actually counterproductive. When a wasp is squashed, a pheromone is released which attracts nearby wasps. Rather, walk away from any hovering wasps.[6]

Tips

  • Although glue traps aren’t the first option for flying pests, if you notice that they’re walking around a considerable amount in one area, try to place one there. You can also try placing them by the wasp’s entry way if you don’t want to make a trap.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.thegardenglove.com/diy-wasp-solutions/
  2. ↑ http://www.popsugar.com/home/DIY-Organic-Fly-Trap-1867690
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.naturallivingideas.com/6-natural-ways-to-get-rid-of-wasps/
  4. ↑ http://calgarygardencoach.typepad.com/calgarygardencoach/2009/04/time-to-put-out-the-paper-bag-wasp-nests.html
  5. ↑ http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/diy-insect-spray-covers-most-pests
  6. ↑ http://eartheasy.com/live_natwasp_control.htm

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