8 Natural Home Wasp Repellant Tips

Natural Wasp Repellent Tips

The Spruce / Ellen Lindner

If you are looking to get rid of unwanted wasps, you'll be thrilled to know that there are some natural wasp deterrents that actually work in ridding your home of these unwanted pests. No one wants wasps stinging them, and these repellents will keep them at bay all spring and summer.

Some of these home wasp repellent tips include preventing wasps from visiting and making nests, while others will show you how to get rid of existing wasps and nests. Follow one or all of these suggestions to get rid of the pesky insects.

Tip

Wasps will come back to the same spot yearly. That's because they've spread pheromones (secreted chemicals) in that area which continue to communicate with other wasps even after the nest is removed. Keep wasps from returning by remaining diligent in your treatments to mask the scent.

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Click Play to Learn How You Can Make Natural Wasp Repellent

  • 01 of 08

    Blend Together Essential Oils

    Brown essential oil containers and droppers on white cutting board

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Mix together a few drops of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils to naturally repel wasps. You can add this essential oil blend to a spray bottle along with a few tablespoons of dish soap, fill the rest of the water bottle up with water, and shake.

    Spray this solution on any established wasp nests, and make sure you look under porch roofs, eaves, and any other ledges. You can also spray this mixture in any spots you've seen nests in the past. Some wasps like to build nests in the same place each year, so this is a good defense.

  • 02 of 08

    Use a Peppermint Oil Solution

    Peppermint essential oil next to spray bottle and pink dishwashing liquid

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Peppermint oil has also been shown to be a natural wasp repellent. Take a few drops of peppermint oil along with a few tablespoons of dish soap, put them together in a spray bottle, and fill the rest of the bottle with water. Shake well, and then spray the mixture on any established nests or places where you've seen nests before.

  • 03 of 08

    Get Rid of Unwanted Food

    Unwanted corn on the cob thrown into trash bag

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Before you can start actually killing wasps, you need to do a few things to prevent wasps from invading your space in the first place. First and foremost, get rid of any food scraps or crumbs that are in the area outside of your home. Wasps love protein, so your grill is an area that they love to visit. Keep it thoroughly cleaned to keep the wasps away.

    Wasps also love sugary drinks, so if you store soda cans in your yard, make sure they are thoroughly cleaned out. If there isn't anything yummy for the wasps near your home, they are much less likely to pay you a visit.

  • 04 of 08

    Ensure Trash Cans Are Sealed

    Black outdoor trashcan sealed after throwing away food

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    What do trash cans have in them? Well, besides trash, they often have old food scraps or liquid. And wasps love to eat, so they will be especially attracted to your trash cans if they're not sealed up well—and they may even try to make a nest near them. Make sure you seal up your trash bins to avoid any new visitors, and that also includes your recycling bins as well.

    Tip

    Compost bins can also attract wasps, so make sure yours is well sealed. You could also move the composting indoors if you can't get the wasps away.

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  • 05 of 08

    Patch Up Cracks

    Wooden porch railing patched up with flat knife

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    You'll want to seal up any cracks in your home or foundation, as wasps like to nest in cracks and hollows on the ground. Keep these patched up and filled to avoid wasps making nests or getting into your home.

    Pay special attention to cracks that you may find on the edges of the house siding or where wires enter the home. This is great to do in the autumn before any spring wasp nests are built.

  • 06 of 08

    Add Wasp-Repellent Plants to Your Landscape

    Eucalyptus and thyme branches laid on white surface

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    One way to repel wasps near your home is to plant wasp-repellent plant varieties like spearmint, thyme, eucalyptus, wormwood, and citronella. Plant these anywhere near your home and especially where you have seen wasps in the past. Flowering plants like marigolds, geraniums, or pennyroyals are pretty and also deter wasps.

    There are a few plants you'll want to avoid having in your yard, as they actually attract wasps. This includes sweet fennel, Queen Anne's lace, and yarrow. Don't plant these anywhere where you'd like to avoid wasps.

  • 07 of 08

    Use a Soap and Water Solution

    Pink dishwashing soap next to spray bottle and glass container with water

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Soap and water are a great defense against small wasp nests. Get a spray bottle, add 2 tablespoons of dish soap, and fill the rest of the bottle with water. After shaking well, liberally spray the soap and water mixture on the nest. The soap will clog up their breathing pores, causing them to die instantly.

    Tip

    It's best to spray after dusk when all the wasps have come home for the night.

  • 08 of 08

    Make a Wasp Trap

    A wasp caught in a glass

    Fernando Trabanco Fotograffia / Getty Images

    Another way to get rid of wasps naturally is by building a wasp trap—and the best part about this suggestions is that it uses items you probably already have on hand. Follow the directions to build a wasp trap from a soda bottle that will trap the wasps and drown them in the liquid. The bottle can be placed somewhere in your yard or hung from a tree.

FAQ
  • What scent or smell keeps wasps away?

    Wasps have a strong sense of smell and dislike certain plants like peppermint, spearmint, basil, eucalyptus, cloves, geranium, thyme, citronella, bay leaves, and lemongrass. They are also repelled by vinegar, cinnamon, coffee grounds, and sliced cucumber.

  • How do you keep wasps from returning?

    To keep wasps from returning to your home, make your home less enticing. Keep your doors or windows closed. Do not keep food outside. Keep garbage cans tightly sealed. Leave out wasp traps. Remove nests when wasps are least active at dawn. Fill in holes in the ground since yellowjackets often make ground nests.

  • When is wasp season?

    Wasps are most active in July. They usually first start appearing in spring and continue through late fall.

Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. “Controlling Wasps, Bees and Hornets Around Your Home.” University of New Hampshire Extension,

  2. Controlling Wasps, Hornets, and Yellowjackets | Entomology.

  3. Getting rid of wasps nests. Michigan State University Extension.

  4. Yellowjackets and other social wasps. University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.