How To Keep Wasps Away Outside

Preparing for a wasp attack is not out of place, especially when planning a picnic, camp, or other outdoor activities.

They come around without warning, and there are a lot of things that can attract them to you.

Asides from picnics and camps, you would also need to prepare for any wasp that may attack your deck or front porch.

Whichever the case may be, you will find some east-to-deploy wasp-deterring strategies in this piece.

The following sections will discuss seven foolproof strategies to keep wasps outside and answer other common questions about their infestation.

7 Ways To Keep Wasps Outside

Killing wasps do not in any way bring an end to its infestation.

This is because dead and dying wasps emit a hormone that attracts other wasps to the area.

So, you are potentially worsening the situation. In other words, you are sending an invitation for a wasp invasion.

However, there are some simple yet effective strategies you can employ. Some of these include:

1. Wear the Right Clothes

Who wouldn’t want to rock the perfect clothes for the picnic or barbeque they can finally attend?

If you want an ideal event where wasps won’t chase you, it is best to avoid conspicuous clothes.

Wasps find colorful clothes attractive since it reminds them of flowers. They feed on nectar, so they always come around flowers. If you wear a brightly-colored cloth, you will set yourself up for a wasp attack.

So, what do you do?

Avoid red, yellow, and orange colors. Wear plain colors like white or tan. You would not want a wasp to mistake you for a flower. You can also wear white colors for other outdoor activities like jogging and hiking.

Another perspective to wearing the right clothes is that you must cover up adequately. Camping in the woods usually exposes you to wasps and other insects alike. Wearing long sleeves and socks at night will reduce the possibility of a bite/sting.

2. Make a Little Campfire

You can make a small campfire during the day or at night to keep away wasps and other insects. The smoke irritates them, and some can’t survive it.

For faster results, add some sage to the campfire. Sage makes the smoke more toxic to wasps, and those that come close run for their lives.

You can set up a temporary fireplace throughout your stay at the campsite so you won’t have to make one constantly.

3. Manage Food Items Properly

Picnics and outdoor activities come with lots of food varieties. Wasps are natural hunters and can smell food from afar. So how do you enjoy your food varieties while keeping wasps out? Is it possible?

Of course, it is possible. Start by storing the food items carefully instead of leaving them open. Even if you want to leave them open to take a picture or enjoy the aesthetics of the environment, do it quickly.

Preparing your food before coming is another way to reduce wasp infestation. You can organize and store all the dishes in a flask or food warmer.

Storing the food will also cover up their aroma, and they won’t smell over the place. After eating and drinking, the next step is to clear the dishes, wash them and arrange them.

It is easy to get carried away and start playing some games after eating, but it won’t help matters. You can plan with your team and appoint two or three to manage the cleaning.

After clearing the dishes:

• Pack up any leftovers and trash them in a tight container.
• Do not leave food waste in the garbage can, or it will attract insects.
• Tie the already gathered food waste in a trash bag before disposing of them.

4. Sprinkle Some Essential Oils

Essential oils will not only ward off wasps but also give your campsite or picnic ground a lovely scent.

Peppermint, clove, lavender, and eucalyptus oil effectively irritate wasps.

Mix any oils with water and put them in a spray can. Spray the mixture around your picnic area, deck, porch, or campsite to ward off wasps and other critters.

5. Plant Some Repelling Herbs

If you use your porch often or have some outdoor events, you may want to plant herbs in your garden. Mint leaves, lemongrass, and cinnamon are common repellants that you can use.

Plant them in pots and keep them in your garden, deck, or porch. Cucumbers are also strong repellants that wasps and bees avoid, and you can plant them too.

Placing cucumber peels around your yard will deter wasps, but do not keep them out for long. When they dry and rot, they can attract other insects.

Sprinkling cinnamon powder is another way to repel wasps. Garlic and cloves will also repel wasps. The great thing about these herbs is that they are common and affordable.

6. Set Traps

Sometimes it is challenging to keep wasps away no matter how hard you try.

You can lure them into a trap and eliminate them. You can set up DIY traps using a plastic bottle, sugar solution, and wire.

Pour the sugar solution into the plastic bottle and leave it open. Tie it around a tree or stick, watch the wasps fly into the solution, and drown.

7. Get Some Help

There are professional exterminators available to help you. All you need to do is reach out to them and book their services.

You may notice that your team could be at risk, and the DIY methods are not working. Call an expert immediately and report to them. You do not have to wait until matters worsen before you call them.

If you are camping far, you can go with one or ask for expert advice on what chemical to buy.

Getting expert advice is vital because you may get into an area where reaching an exterminator is difficult. It could be remote, and getting a network signal may be problematic.

Conclusion

Above are five sure ways you can keep wasps at bay while outside.

In addition to these strategies, ensure you put off bright lights when it is dark. Wasps love lights and gather around any shining bulb. You can put off the lights before bed to be safe.

If camping, close your tents properly and zip them tightly. Wasps love to wander and can get into the tent.

Whatever the case, the points in this article will go a long way to help.