How To Keep Wasps From Coming Back

Wasps are naturally curious insects that are attracted to the multitude of smells coming from your home. They also require quite a bit of water and have the ability to smell it evaporating into the air. So, a pool or birdbath located near your home will attract wasps. If you located a wasp nest near your home and properly removed it, there are a few steps you can take to prevent the wasps from coming back.

Step 1

Spray a flying insect insecticide under your home's eaves in early spring and again in the fall. Coat the eave's underside and the portion of siding beneath the eave. This does not repel a wasp but it does ensure that the wasp dies shortly after contact. Look for an insecticide with either Tetramethin or 1-Methylethoxy as the active ingredient.

Step 2

Place wasp traps around your home. Make your own wasp trap by mixing some jam, beer, small pieces of fruit, orange juice and water in a coffee can. Cut a quarter size hole in the lid with scissors and put the lid on the can. Place these traps near windows and doors. Wasps enter the trap and can't get back out so they die.

Step 3

Store your fruit in the refrigerator. Wasps are attracted to sweet smells. Fruit sitting on your counter next to an open window draws them towards your home.

Step 4

Spray an aerosol pyrethrin on the plants and mulch surrounding your birdbath or pool. In order to keep these areas wasp free at all times, make an application once per day. However, misting these areas once per week is enough to prevent wasps from building a nest in the surrounding area. This chemical is safe for pets and humans to be around.

Step 5

Spray a cypermethrin chemical underneath wooden decks once or twice per month. Wood releases an odor that attracts wasps. If your deck is built low to the ground, it is especially susceptible to wasp infestation.