Wasps are attracted to sweet smells and enter your yard to find what smells so sweet and good. If you have fruit trees in your Bensalem yard, you will likely also have wasps. Not only does the smell of the growing fruit appeal to them, but they also like the sweet scent produced by rotting fruit on the ground. Trash with a sweet odor can also attract them.
Many Bensalem area homes feature rustic and untreated wood accents. Whether you have pine wood siding on your home or a large untreated deck, the wood can increase a wasp population. Wasps eat the wood and break it down to create wood pulp, which they use for their nests. They also use other wood sources, such as playground equipment or garden bed walls.
Lawns and gardens with a lot of bright flowers and plants are a small slice of heaven for wasps. They like the bright colors and tend to stay close to them. It's also possible to attract wasps just by wearing bright colors or floral patterns, too. You may also notice an increased presence of wasps when groups of people are present. Large groups attract these insects.
As with mosquitoes, standing water may also attract wasps. Wasps need water to survive and will come into your yard if you have a sufficient supply available. They flock to swimming pools, fountains, bird baths, and even containers filled with rainwater.
A wasp colony consists of both workers and a queen. During the spring, the queen comes out of hibernation and establishes a new nest. She tells the workers what to do and lays up to 300 eggs per day. Wasps are most active in the summer and slow down in the fall. When the eggs hatch, the new queens leave to create new nests. Porch overhangs and other hidden places attract the queens because they offer a safe shelter for the new nest.
ARE WASPS ATTRACTED TO LIGHT
It is not always possible to keep your outdoor lights off. You may not realize that wasps are attracted to lights and using the one on your porch can actually invite them.
One reason they like bright lights is that it reminds them of food. Some wasps even become so confused they assume the light is food and will fly right into it. They view LED, fluorescent, and other types of light in the same way. People you know may claim using a specific type of bulb will keep them away, but most sources of light attract them in the same way.
Even if you don't have any outside lights, interior lights will attract them. You may see wasps hovering around your front door or windows as they look for entry points. Try turning off the lights when you don't need them. Motion-activated lights also help. While they pick up on motion when you get close, they aren't so sensitive they'll also detect bugs. Using blackout curtains to reduce the amount of light that escapes will also help.
WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID ATTRACTING WASPS
Learning how to keep wasps away is important because of the potential harm they cause. When a bee stings you, it loses its stinger. While most people can handle a one-and-done attack, wasps are different. There is no limit on how many times they can sting during an attack. Wasps are very territorial. The workers protect the nest and queen at all times.
If you move even a few inches too close to the nest, the workers will sting you and keep stinging you. You may even find that moving away doesn't stop them. As they are social creatures, they can also call in for reinforcements and extend the attack.
The biggest risk of a wasp attack is an allergic reaction. Roughly 100 people die and more than 220,000 people visit the ER every year after wasps sting them. Every time they sting, they leave behind some venom. The venom builds up, making the victim feel ill. Taking care of the wound is easy though. Clean the spot gently and apply some antibiotic ointment and a bandage. Contact your doctor if you feel confused or anxious and have trouble breathing or pass out. These are signs of a serious reaction.
Another thing to keep in mind is that paper wasps and other types often work together when resources are scarce. They invade your home, garage, and any outbuildings that provide safety during the cold months. Though they only attack if they feel you're a threat, it can lead to some serious stings. Always protect your head and face during an attack and remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
The wasps will not always leave when winter ends. They may move from your garage to your porch or build a nest in a storage shed. If you have wasps this year, the chances are good you'll also have wasps next year.
HOW TO KEEP WASPS AWAY
Many clients contact Newton Termite & Pest Control after trying DIY wasp remedies and not having any luck. Essential oils are a common remedy that people try, especially citronella, peppermint, and lemongrass oils.
Another solution calls for ordinary dish soap and water. The mixture is sprayed on the wasps where it adheres to their skin and prevents them from breathing. This method may work but it takes a long time. There's no guarantee it will stop a wasp attack either.
Other popular alternatives are decoy nests or traps. A decoy nest looks like the real thing and attracts wasps. You then move it to a new area, which is thought to prevent them from coming back. There's a good chance they will return in search of their queen though. Wasp traps work in a similar way, but they usually do not collect the entire nest.
SMELLS THAT WASPS HATE
Wasps hate strong odors. The smells keep them from finding their nest and protecting their queen. Some of the top odors that repel them include herbs, such as bay leaves, basil, and cloves. This may offer some degree of effectiveness when planted in areas where wasps have been spotted.
Other natural deterrents that may provide some level of success include sprinkling coffee grounds around porches, gardens, and anywhere else you saw signs of a wasp nest. Coffee grounds have a strong odor wasps dislike. Other smells that may deter wasps are vinegar and eucalyptus.
WASP REMOVAL NEAR ME
DIY remedies often fall. They are not practical or safe. You risk angering the wasps, leading to a major attack and a trip to the hospital. By the time you try each method, you'll wind up spending more money than if you called a professional right away. Get all of the steps needed to protect your home from wasps when you call us today.
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we use a multi-faceted approach for treating hornets and wasps that have become problematic for area homes and businesses. Our methodology involves making use of the most appropriate detection, prevention, and treatment methods available. By combining these measures, we ensure that your home or business remains free of wasps and hornets.
