While bees are vital pollinators and play a role in supporting our ecosystem, their presence, especially in large numbers or near homes, can be unsettling. And wasps? They can build nests in the least convenient places and get real territorial real fast.
If you’re searching for natural ways to deter bees and wasps, there are plenty of options that don’t involve risky DIY nest removal or harmful products.
Let’s break down how to keep your outdoor spaces pest-free using natural repellents and smarter prevention methods.
Key Takeaways
• Essential oils with strong scents like peppermint and eucalyptus repel bees and wasps when sprayed around key areas.
• Repelling plants and sealing cracks help prevent bees and wasps from choosing your home to build nests.
• Managing food, drinks, and trash during barbecues and picnics stops wasps from crashing your outdoor gatherings.
• If nests appear or activity increases, avoid DIY and call pest control to handle stinging insects safely and fast.
Use Essential Oils With Strong Scents to Repel Bees and Wasps
Essential oils like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and lemongrass give off a strong scent that repels wasps and deters bees. A study found 17 oils, including clove, rosemary, and lavender, worked well against yellowjackets and paper wasps, with some blends stopping them completely.
To make a natural spray, mix these oils with water in a spray bottle and apply around entry points, outdoor seating, and eaves where wasps build nests.
Just remember not to spray it directly on flowering plants where honeybees might be foraging. Those pollinators are protected and essential for our gardens.
Add Insect-Repelling Plants to Your Landscape
Marigolds, geraniums, wormwood, and lemongrass are all effective at repelling stinging insects thanks to their strong aroma. These repelling plants not only look great in flower beds or pots but also serve as a natural barrier.
If you’ve got nesting sites nearby, adding these around your home can reduce the chance that bees or wasps will want to build nests in the first place. Stick to non-flowering varieties near high-traffic areas to avoid drawing in more honeybees.
Manage Food and Drink During Outdoor Events
Wasps and yellow jackets are notorious for crashing picnics and barbecues. They’re especially attracted to sugary drinks, meats, and anything left uncovered.
During your next backyard gathering, keep food sources covered and drinks sealed. Wipe down surfaces quickly and keep trash cans tightly closed to avoid attracting wasps.
A splash of spearmint or citronella oil around food stations can also help deter bees.
Keep Your Trash Can Area Clean and Treated
Don’t underestimate how much a trash can can attract wasps.
A few sticky soda cans or food scraps are enough to invite a whole colony. Keep outdoor trash cans sealed and rinse them out regularly.
Consider wiping the rims with a cloth soaked in peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil as an extra layer of defense.
Seal off Potential Nesting Sites
Wasps are opportunistic. They’ll build nests anywhere they feel sheltered. That includes under eaves, behind shutters, and even inside porch furniture. Walk around your home and inspect for cracks, crevices, and holes. Seal off entry points with caulk or a screen.
Doing this before spring, when wasps begin to scout out spots to build nests, is key.
If you already see signs of an infestation, such as a growing wasp nest, it’s safest to call stinging insect control services instead of handling it yourself.
Eliminate Standing Water and Other Attractants
Water sources can attract wasps and hornets, especially in the heat of summer.
Dump any standing water from birdbaths or clogged gutters. Fix leaky hoses and make sure water isn’t pooling around your yard.
If you keep a birdbath, change the water regularly and consider placing it away from your usual seating area.
Try Natural Wasp Traps as a Last Resort
If you’ve got a persistent wasp problem despite your prevention efforts, wasp traps filled with a bit of sugary bait and dish soap can help. These traps can be hung away from your main outdoor spaces to lure wasps without putting people at risk.
But remember: this approach is more for light control and shouldn’t replace a visit from a professional exterminator if you have a real infestation.
Don’t Let Bees and Wasps Ruin Your Outdoor Plans
If you’re seeing wasp nests, experiencing repeated bee sting incidents, or noticing signs of a larger infestation, it’s time to bring in the pros.
At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, we help families across Southern Louisiana protect their homes with targeted pest control services that keep their space comfortable and safe.
We don’t treat honeybees; that’s a job for a licensed beekeeper, but we’re ready to safely handle wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets. Our trained technicians can treat up to 25 feet high, making it easier to get rid of nests on roofs, in eaves, or behind shutters.
Whether you’re in Thibodaux, Houma, Baton Rouge, or New Orleans, give us a call before the wasps do. Let’s keep your yard enjoyable, because you’ve got better things to do than swat at stingers.
