Outdoor PestsHornets

How To Keep Hornets Away

A Giant Hornet On A Tree Surface

Are you currently annoyed by the constant buzzing and wheezing of small pests like hornets?

Hornets can sting you when provoked and squirt venom in your eyes. The venom can cause momentary blindness.

They also cause trouble by building their nests in attics, eaves, and garages.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Hornets can be very troublesome, you can get rid of them in multiple ways.

The methods range from DIY to home remedies. A few tried and tested methods are as follows:

  • Installing hornet traps
  • Repairing and sealing cracks
  • Keeping hornet-repellent plants
  • Using soap-and-water mixture
  • Using essential oil blend

So if you are interested in keeping the hornets away, continue to read further to find the right solution!

2 Ways To Keep the Hornets Away

Hornets' Nest Under A Wooden Roof

As mentioned earlier, there are 2 ways to keep the hornets away. One way is to try some DIY methods, and the other is to try home remedies.

Let’s discuss them below.

1. Do-It-Yourself

Here are some DIY methods that you can try at home:

Install Hornet Traps

Hornet Trap

Hornet traps are available in departmental stores.

But, if you need to make one out of the things already available in your home, you can easily do that.

The materials required are:

  • A two-liter water bottle
  • Any fruit juice or soda (any sweet liquid)
  • Masking or duct tape

Now, when you are done gathering all this stuff, cut about one-fourth of the bottle from the top.

Next, flip the cut’s top part and place it over the bottom part of the bottle. This will create a path connecting the opening from top to bottom.

If the arrangement of the things is a bit wobbly, use masking or duct tape to fix it.

Now, pour about an inch of the sweet liquid through the opening on the top.

Place this DIY hornet trap in any area that attracts a considerable amount of hornets.

Repair and Seal Cracks

Crevices

One reason why hornet infestation happens is the presence of cracks in the structure of your house.

Therefore, you will have to take on some repairing tasks in order to seal those cracks.

Broken panels, gaps in soffits, and crevices are spaces that can be vulnerable to hornet infestation.

You need some caulk to seal up any crevices in the siding. You will also need eaves and rooflines to prevent these insects from making nests.

2. Natural Remedies

Now let’s look at some natural remedies for keeping the hornets away:

Keep Hornet-Repellent Plants

Thyme Plant

Buying plants that naturally repel is another great way to get rid of these unwanted and irritating hornets.

There are a variety of plants that can be used to repel hornets. These include:

  • Spearmint
  • Thyme
  • Eucalyptus
  • Wormwood
  • Citronella

Place these plants in areas of your house that attract the most hornets. You can see the results in just a few days.

These plants are readily available and relatively inexpensive to buy. This method is also very eco-friendly.

Moreover, there are some flowering plants that not only prevent hornets from invading your home but also add beauty to your place. These include marigolds, geraniums, and pennyroyals.

Use Soapy Water

Soapy Water In A Spray Bottle

Another easy-to-use and eco-friendly method is using water and soap to repel hornets.

You need dish soap, a spray bottle, and water. That’s it!

Mix the dish soap and water. Then pour the mixture into the spray bottle.

Spray them all over the hornet nest. This will clog the breathing pores of the hornets, leading to their instant death.

Use Essential Oils

Lemongrass Essential Oil

Nothing is better than using environment-friendly methods that are both effective and convenient.

Aerosol sprays harm the environment. So combining clove, geranium, and lemongrass oils is better. Add the mixture of these essential oils to the water.

Then put all the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray in areas of your house which are most vulnerable to hornet infestation.

Summary

Hornets are part of the natural environment, so they cannot be removed permanently.

But hornets can be dangerous if provoked, and hornet nests can become a liability if contact is made.

So to keep the bugs away, you can install hornet traps, repair and seal cracks, keep hornet-repellent plants, and do other natural methods as discussed above.

These specific preventive measures or removal methods can be a lifesaver for you. So, you won’t have to worry about hornets infesting your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Permanently Get Rid of Hornets?

Hornets are part of the natural environment. Therefore, they cannot be permanently removed. You can utilize a few methods to keep them away at all times.

How Do You Stop a Hornet’s Nest From Coming Back?

Removing food sources by keeping trash and compost piles covered will help deter hornets from being around your home.

If you have dead trees on your property, they are likely to attract hornets. Hence, you have to get them removed immediately.

Should I Destroy a Hornet’s Nest?

Hornets can sting and cause allergies. Therefore, you should not touch any nests filled with these insects. They assemble and work together to protect their home by stinging.

This can cause a severe condition called mass envenomation in mammals. This ultimately leads to death.

Call a professional if you want a hornet nest removed.

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