How To Get Rid Of Wasps With Vinegar

How to get rid of wasps and keep them away - from natural remedies to traps

The insects are an important part of our ecosystem, but pack a nasty sting and can be a nuisance

Wasps can be a nuisance (

Image: Moment RF)

Wasps can be a pest and a nuisance as we get towards the warmer months, and it can be a real pain getting rid of them if they make their home inside your home.

The insects are an important part of our ecosystem, and play a vital role in controlling pests which would otherwise destroy plants and crops.

Matthew Robertson of the Zoological Society of London said: "Wasps are extremely important.

"Their control of pest species cannot be overestimated. Without them we'd have to use much more pesticide to combat swarms of crop-eating pests."

But while their role in the ecosystem is useful, it doesn't make them any more attractive as neighbours and houseguests.

They pack a nasty sting, and if they build a nest in your home it can be dangerous.

So here's everything you need to know about getting rid of wasps.

Prevention

Wasp constructing its nest (

Image:

Getty Images)

It's easier to prevent an invasion of wasps than it is to get rid of them when they've settled in.

Empty and wash your bins regularly, and keep them away from windows and doors so that wasps are not attracted to their contents.
Check your loft for any gaps or holes in the roof, as this is one of the most common ways they can get in to your home to build a nest. Seal up any gaps, and put insect mesh over grille vents or air bricks.
Inspect your home - particularly the loft, shed, garage or under the eaves - and garden in the spring months to see if any small nests are being constructed. These will be about a golfball in size, and contain fewer insects.
When the queen starts laying eggs, they will grow in size rapidly to accommodate the new bugs, and that's when they become more difficult to get rid of.
Keep sweet-smelling plants, which may attract wasps, away from your doors and windows.

Wasp traps

Wasps on a nest (

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Getty)

Just because you have wasps in your garden doesn't mean you have a nest; they may just be coming to your garden for food or nest-building materials.

But that doesn't make them any more welcome if you're planning a picnic or BBQ.

If you have wasps in your garden or home, you can buy poison-free wasp traps to attract and kill them.

You fill the container with sweet juice or beer, and when the bugs enter the trap they are unable to escape. Most traps are reusable.

Natural options

Wasps are repelled by peppermint. Try diluting a little peppermint oil in water and spraying it where you frequently get wasps.

You can also plant peppermint in your garden to deter the little critters.

Another option is to mix a cup of white vinegar with a cup of water and put it in a spray bottle. This makes an effective solution to spray at stray wasps - a few blasts should kill them.

Sprays

A variety of wasp-control sprays are available, from fast-acting insecticides to kill the bugs, to surface sprays to deter them from hanging around.

You can also treat small nests which are easily accessible with destroyer spray to exterminate wasps in the nest. It is important to read and follow the instructions carefully though, and keep your distance from the nest. Usually, you should leave the spray to work for 24 hours - or as long as it says on the package - before attempting to move the nest.

Always wear protective clothing including goggles, gloves and a dust mask when dealing with a wasps nest, even if it is quite small. Treat nests in the early morning or late evening, when the wasps are in the nest and less active.

Call in the professionals

Wasp nest (

Image:

Getty Images)

If you find a wasp nest in your house or garden, it's probably best to call in professional pest controllers to take care of it.

They will have the specialist tools, as well as the protective clothing to safely deal with the problem, and you won't put yourself at risk of a swarm of angry insects.

If a nest is small enough, it's possible they may be able to move it to another location, but if it is a fully-fledged nest then it could contain thousands wasps, and will need to be destroyed.

What not to do

Hitting a nest with a stick to dislodge or destroy it is make the wasps inside angry, and the swarm will attack to defend its home.

Trying to 'smoke out' a nest by lighting a fire under it is also dangerous, as it is easy to lose control of the flames. The last thing you want is your house catching fire while you're trying to fend off an angry swarm of stinging bugs.

If you are allergic to wasp stings you should be especially cautious around nests. If the wasps do attack you could be stung multiple times, putting your life in danger.