At the end of summer, wasps often become more present around meals, ripe fruit, and sweet drinks. Their proximity can be worrying, especially in the presence of children or someone with allergies.
However, not all wasps are aggressive. They actually play a useful role in the garden by capturing caterpillars, flies, and other insects. The goal, therefore, is to keep them away from living spaces without eliminating them outright.
How to keep wasps out of the garden without killing them?
When they swirl around the table, wasps are generally after sweet foods, meat, or water. A few simple steps are often enough to limit their presence without resorting to insecticides.
If it is sometimes necessary to fight wasps indoors, prevention remains the best solution in the garden as well.
1 – Pick up fallen fruit
Bruised apples, pears, plums, grapes, or figs provide a real buffet for wasps. Their ripe flesh releases sugars and aromas that attract them quickly.
During the fruiting period, pick up fallen fruit every day. Place edible fruit in the refrigerator and put the others in a closed compost bin.
Also harvest ripe fruit promptly. This precaution reduces wasp presence and prevents fruits from rotting at the base of trees.
2 – Protect food and drinks
At the table, cover dishes, desserts, and carafes as soon as they’re no longer in use. Promptly store leftovers and wipe away any traces of fruit juice, soda, or jam.
Vigilance should be heightened with cans and opaque bottles. A wasp can slip in unseen. Instead, pour the drink into a glass and check its contents before drinking.
Outdoor trash cans should also stay closed. Regularly clean their lids and sides if sweet liquids have spilled.
3 – Stay calm when a wasp approaches
Brusque movements, shouting, and attempts to swat a wasp increase the risk of a sting. If one lands on the table, move children away and wait for it to leave.
You can gently move the item it’s attracted to, without crushing it. Also avoid blowing on it: exhaled carbon dioxide can be perceived as a threat.
In the garden, wear closed-toe shoes when walking on the grass. Before trimming a hedge, moving a stack of wood, or opening a shed, watch for a moment the comings and goings of insects.
4 – Test tomato leaves, without expecting a miracle
Placing a few crushed tomato leaves near the table is a traditional trick. Their strong scent may momentarily bother some wasps, but its effectiveness is neither constant nor guaranteed.
If you want to try this method, pick only a few healthy leaves from the lower parts of the plants. Do not apply them to the skin and wash your hands after handling.
Basil, mint, or thyme can also help create an aromatic ambiance around the patio. However, they do not constitute a reliable barrier against wasps.
5 – Use lemon as a temporary repellent
The scent of lemon can sometimes temporarily deter wasps from a small area. Place a few slices on a plate or wipe the table with lemon-scented water.
You can also spray a bit of water mixed with lemon juice on a washable surface. Test the mix first on a discreet area.
Never spray the product directly on the insects or a nest. A threatened wasp may defend itself and alert other members of its colony.
False wasp nests: uncertain effectiveness
Paper fake nests are often touted as a foolproof solution. The idea relies on the territorial behavior of some social wasps, believed to deter neighboring colonies.
In practice, results vary widely. Several species may build their nest near another colony when resources are abundant. A hanging paper bag does not reproduce the odors of a real nest.
This trick is harmless to insects. You can try it, but it should not replace preventive measures.
Should you install a wasp trap?
Bowls of fruit juice and bottles filled with sugary water attract wasps but don’t actually demote them from the garden. Placed near the table, they can even increase their presence.
These devices also kill other insects. Their effectiveness across an entire colony is limited. It’s better to reserve traps for particularly problematic situations and place them away from meals.
Do not use honey as bait, as it can also attract bees. Regularly monitor the trap and remove it as soon as the pressure decreases.
Wasps are also garden helpers
Many wasps are solitary and not very aggressive. Others capture caterpillars, aphids, flies, or various insects to feed their larvae. Some also participate in pollination. Their presence thus contributes to the balance of the garden.
What to do if you discover a wasp nest?
A nest located far from the house and foot traffic can sometimes be left in place. Many colonies of social wasps disappear as winter approaches, and old nests are generally not reused.
However, a nest installed near a doorway, a deck, a play area, or in an electrical box can pose a risk. Do not try to remove, seal, or flood it.
Step away calmly and call a pest control professional. Inform them about the possible presence of children, pets, or someone with allergies.
Wasp sting: when to call for help?
Call 911 immediately if you’re having trouble breathing, feeling faint, facial or throat swelling, a sting in the mouth, or multiple stings. An allergic person should follow the plan established with their doctor and use an EpiPen if prescribed.
By combining cleanliness, food protection, and calm behavior, it is generally possible to coexist with wasps without turning the garden into a battleground.
