Wasps and hornets can be real pests during the warmer months. While professional pest control services from OBEX are extremely effective, many folks prefer natural wasp and hornet control remedies. This guide explores various natural remedies to get rid of wasps and hornets, with easy-to-follow steps and ingredients you probably already have at home.

Before we dive into natural wasp and hornet control remedies, let’s get to know our buzzing foes. Wasps, like yellowjackets and paper wasps, are smaller and generally less aggressive unless provoked. Hornets, on the other hand, like the bald-faced hornet, are bigger and can be more aggressive, especially when guarding their nests. Both can sting painfully and cause allergic reactions in some people.

Essential oils are fantastic for natural wasp control. Wasps and hornets hate strong scents, making these oils an effective repellent.

• Peppermint Oil Spray: Mix 1 tablespoon of peppermint oil with 4 cups of water. Add a few drops of dish soap to help it stick to surfaces. Spray around wasp nests, windowsills, doorways, and other entry points. This works great for homes in Fort Collins and Longmont where outdoor activities are common.
• Clove-Geranium-Lemongrass Blend: Combine equal parts of clove, geranium, and lemongrass oils with water in a spray bottle. Spray it around patios and gardens in Boulder and Loveland to keep wasps away.

Vinegar traps are a simple yet effective way to capture and kill wasps, perfect for natural wasp nest control.

• Vinegar and Sugar Trap: Fill a bowl or container with equal parts vinegar and water. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and a few drops of dish soap. The sweet smell attracts the wasps, and the soap breaks the surface tension, causing them to drown. This method works well in Westminster and Broomfield.

A mix of soap and water is an easy and cheap solution for wasp pest control.

• Soap Spray: Mix 2 tablespoons of dish soap with water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on wasps or their nests. The soap clogs their breathing pores, suffocating them. This is effective in urban areas like Denver and Lakewood.

Neem oil is another excellent natural remedy for managing wasp and hornet control. Derived from the seeds of the neem tree, neem oil contains compounds that are toxic to many insects, including wasps and hornets, but it is generally safe for humans and pets.

• Neem Oil Spray: To create a neem oil spray, mix 2 tablespoons of neem oil with 1 gallon of water and a few drops of dish soap. Shake well and spray directly on wasp nests, around entry points, and on plants where wasps are active. This method can be particularly useful in areas like Fort Collins and Boulder where outdoor gardening is popular.
• Neem Oil Traps: Soak cotton balls or small pieces of cloth in neem oil and place them in strategic locations around your home and garden.

Certain plants naturally repel wasps and can be a great addition to your garden.

• Mint: Plant mint around your home to deter wasps. Mint’s strong scent is unappealing to them. This is perfect for suburban gardens in Centennial and Highlands Ranch.
• Cucumber: Place cucumber peels around areas where wasps are a problem. The acidity acts as a natural repellent, useful for community gardens in Aurora and Parker.

Close-up image of peppermint – an incredible natural wasp remedy that can be used around your home or business.

If you’re already an existing customer of ours, it’s important to use these natural wasp and hornet control remedies with caution. Natural methods, like peppermint oil sprays and vinegar traps, are repellents (meaning, the pest can detect the product is there) that drive pests away but can interfere with the non-repellent products used by your technicians. Non-repellent products are undetectable to pests, allowing them to carry the treatment back to their nests, ensuring thorough and long-lasting control.

To avoid rendering OBEX treatments ineffective, consult your OBEX technician before applying any natural remedies. Focus on using natural methods in areas not treated during your regular service, and avoid large-scale applications immediately after professional treatments. This way, you can ensure that your natural remedies complement the treatment we provide, maintaining effective and safe pest control.

If you get stung despite your best efforts, here are some natural remedies for wasp stings to ease the pain and swelling.

• Ice Pack: Apply an ice pack to the sting area to reduce swelling and numb the pain. This simple remedy can be used immediately in any part of Colorado.
• Baking Soda Paste: Mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Apply to the sting to neutralize the venom and reduce itching. Great for families in Castle Rock and Thornton.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Dab apple cider vinegar on the sting with a cotton ball. The acidity helps neutralize the venom, making it useful in both urban and rural settings, from Colorado Springs to Erie.

Preventative measures are key to avoiding wasp and hornet problems. Here are some natural remedies to keep wasps away:

• Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for potential entry points and seal them with caulk or weather stripping. Focus on windows, doors, and vents. This is crucial for homes in fast-growing areas like Lafayette and Louisville.
• Proper Food Storage: Keep food and drinks covered when eating outdoors. Wasps love sugary substances and proteins. This is especially important during summer barbecues and picnics in Golden and Littleton.
• Regular Maintenance: Keep your garden and outdoor areas tidy by trimming overgrown bushes and trees. This reduces potential nesting sites, essential for areas like Superior and Wheat Ridge.

Residents in various Colorado cities can benefit from these natural remedies to kill wasps and hornets. Here are some specific tips:

• Fort Collins: Use essential oils around patios and decks to keep wasps away while enjoying the outdoors.
• Boulder: Vinegar traps work well in urban gardens and community spaces where wasps are attracted to food scraps.
• Longmont: Planting mint and other repellent plants in garden beds can help keep wasps away from outdoor dining areas.
• Denver: Soap and water sprays around homes and gardens provide a natural and safe way to manage wasps in densely populated areas.

Make a homemade repellent spray with common household items.

• Ingredients: 1 cup of water, 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, 10 drops of peppermint essential oil.
• Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray around doorways, windows, and outdoor areas where wasps are commonly found.

Wasps are territorial and usually avoid areas where other wasps are nesting.

• Paper Bag Decoy: Fill a brown paper bag with crumpled paper and hang it in areas where you want to deter wasps. The bag mimics a wasp nest, discouraging other wasps from building nearby.

Using natural wasp and hornet control remedies is a safe and eco-friendly approach to wasp control. Whether you prefer essential oils, vinegar traps, or homemade sprays, these methods can effectively reduce wasp populations without harming the environment. By understanding how to control wasp problems and implementing preventative measures, you can enjoy your outdoor spaces without the nuisance of wasps and hornets. Always be cautious and seek professional help from OBEX when a wasp or hornet problem becomes too much to handle.

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* Service does not include the control or prevention of wood infesting organisms such as termites, powder post beetles, wood borers, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood wasps, or wood decay fungus. OBEX will treat for wasp nests on homes; however, we do not guarantee for flying insects. See Pest Control Service Agreement for additional information and limitations.