This article was co-authored by Scott McCombe. Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor.
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Wasps outside are bad enough, but when they somehow manage to infiltrate your home? Nobody wants that. The good news is that there are several different methods you can use to get wasps out of your house and keep them out for good. Below we’ll walk you through a few different things you can try, including making a trap and preparing a DIY natural insecticidal spray, so you and your family can live in your home in peace again.
Steps
Using a Soda Bottle Trap
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1Gather your materials. This is easy to make and can be put in the corner of the room that has a wasp problem. For this trap, you will need:
- Scissors
- Empty plastic bottle (2L)
- Tape
- Bait (watered down dish soap)[1]
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2Remove the bottle cap and cut through the bottle a third of the way down. Be sure to do this carefully with your scissors. You can also use a razor blade if the scissors don't seem to be cutting through the bottle.Advertisement
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3Place your bait in the bottom of the bottle. If you want to add vinegar, it will still attract the wasps but won't attract bees.
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4Invert the top third of the bottle and slide in into the base. This is going to form your at-home trap.
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5Tape the two pieces of the bottle together and place it anywhere in the room. The wasps will be attracted to the bait, fly through the neck of the bottle, and get stuck in the bottom where they will die.
- If you wish to hang it, heat two ends of a wire and stick them into either side of the bottle and hang it once the wire is secure.
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6Be sure to empty your trap consistently. If too many wasps die, they can make a sort of raft for other wasps to live on in the bottom of the trap.
Making a Natural Insecticide Spray
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1Be careful. This requires you to get closer to the wasps than the others, so it's recommended against if you're allergic to wasps.
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2Find the things you need. Rather than normal insecticides which are potentially dangerous for your family, this requires no harmful ingredients. For this method, you will only need an empty spray bottle, water, witch hazel, and peppermint essential oil.[2]
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3Make your solution. Fill it almost to the top with half distilled water and half witch hazel. Add 30-50 drops of peppermint essential oil.
- You may also use rosemary or thyme as a natural repellent.[3]
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4Spray it on the wasps in your home as they come along. The peppermint oil will stick to the wasps, making it difficult for them to fly and will lead to their hasty demise.
Putting Up a Fake Nest
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1Gather the materials for your fake nest. Wasps are very territorial creatures, and they won't build a nest if they think there is another colony living nearby. Plus, the wasps will leave if they think that another colony has moved into their neighborhood. If the colony moves further from your home, the wasps in your house will go with it.
- Plastic bag
- Paper bag
- Shredded paper
- Twine
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2Fill your plastic bag with shredded paper. This is going to be the innards of your nest. Your plastic bag should be packed tightly with shredded paper because it is the main form of your nest. The plastic bag will help it withstand the elements.[4]
- Crumple your paper bag. This will give it somewhat of a “nest” look. Once you've crumpled it, open it back up and put your filled plastic bag inside.
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3Hang your nest. Use your twine to hang it near the existing nest. It needs to be close enough that the existing wasps will notice it.
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4Leave the wasp with the window open. Close the door to the room that has wasps in it. Leave the window open so that the wasp can get out. They will leave and travel with their colony.
Preventing Wasps
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1Put food away. Like many pests, wasps are attracted to food—especially foods that are high in sugar and meat products. This includes pet food. Make sure that your trash cans are sealed tight, bird feeders are far from the house, and food isn't left out.
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2Seal entry points. Check your house for unsealed vents, torn screens, cracks around windows and door frames, or open dampers. Seal off these problem areas and the wasps no longer have entry ways into your home.[5]
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3Avoid swatting. Swatting wasps is actually counterproductive. When a wasp is squashed, a pheromone is released which attracts nearby wasps. Rather, walk away from any hovering wasps.[6]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I prevent wasps from getting inside?
Scott McCombeScott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor.
Pest Control SpecialistCheck for any cracks or vents on your exterior walls, and use caulk or expanding foam to fill in the entry points.
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionWhat is a natural way to get rid of wasps?Scott McCombeScott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor.
Pest Control SpecialistRosemary and thyme are both natural repellents for wasps, so try spraying some around areas where you see them.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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References
- ↑ http://www.popsugar.com/home/DIY-Organic-Fly-Trap-1867690
- ↑ http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/diy-insect-spray-covers-most-pests
- ↑ Scott McCombe. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.
- ↑ http://calgarygardencoach.typepad.com/calgarygardencoach/2009/04/time-to-put-out-the-paper-bag-wasp-nests.html
- ↑ Scott McCombe. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.
- ↑ http://eartheasy.com/live_natwasp_control.htm
About This Article
To get rid of wasps in your house with a homemade trap, start by cutting a 2 liter soda bottle a third of the way down using a razor blade or a pair of scissors. Next, bait the trap by placing watered down dish soap in the bottom of the bottle. Then flip the top third of the bottle upside down and slide it into the base. Finally, tape the two pieces of the bottle together and place it anywhere you like in your home. Make sure to empty the trap regularly to get rid of the dead wasps, and replace the dish soap solution as needed. To learn more, including how to get wasps out of your house by putting up a fake nest, read on.
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