Homemade Remedies to Get Rid of Wasps

Wasps can usually be controlled without the need for professional help.

Wasps are stinging insects that feed mostly off smaller insects. They generally stay away from humans, since we pose more of a threat to them than they do to us. However, they can still be a nuisance, especially if they decide to build a nest on your property. If wasps become a problem at your home, you can get rid of them without the need for toxic pesticides. You may already have all of the necessary materials in your home.

Things You'll Need

• 2-liter bottle
• Scissors
• Duct tape
• Water
• Dish soap
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Pants
• Face mask
• Rake
• Large trash bin with lid
• Large bowl

Instructions

Bottle Trap

1. Cut the top part off of a 2-liter bottle with a pair of sharp scissors. Cut just below the spot where the bottle curves inward to form the neck.

2. Flip the top piece upside-down and put it on top of the bottle so the neck extends downward into the bottle. Duct tape the two bottle pieces together to keep them in place. The top piece of the bottle should look like a funnel sitting inside of the bottom piece.

3. Fill the bottle 1/3 full with water and add a drop of liquid dish soap. Swirl the bottle around to incorporate the soap into the water.

4. Spread jam around the inside of the bottle neck to attract the wasps. Since the top of the trap is funnel-shaped, it's easy for the wasps to fly into it, but nearly impossible to fly out.

5. Place the trap in a spot away from your home. Empty the contents once per day and refill it with water. If necessary, apply a new coat of jam to the neck every day.

Kill the Nest

1. Locate the wasp nest. The easiest way to do this is follow the path of the wasps. Nests are most often found on the side of a solid structure or the ground. If the nest is on the side of a structure, fill a large trash bin one-quarter full with water. Put the trash bin directly beneath the nest.

2. Wait until it is dark outside to kill the nest. Wasps are generally inactive at night and have a slower response time then.

3. Put on at least two layers of long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect yourself from stings. If the clothing is loose around the wrists, ankles or collar, tape them to your skin to ensure wasps cannot fly in underneath your clothes. Also wear a face mask.

4. Grab the necessary tools for the job. If the nest is on the ground, you only need a large bowl that is bigger than the nest. If the nest is on the side of a structure, you need a rake.

5. Walk up to the nest slowly and quietly. Cover the nest with the bowl if it is on the ground. For a nest on the side of a structure, knock it off with the rake so it falls directly into the trash bin. Quickly cover the trash bin with the lid and evacuate the area. If the wasp falls outside the trash bin, simply return to the nest an hour later and cover it with a large bowl.

6. After at least one week, remove the bowl or open the trash bin. Most wasps should die off within a few days, but it can take longer.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask a friend or family member for assistance when trapping an entire nest.

• Remove all food scraps that may be around your yard as they may attract wasps.

• Call an exterminator if you think the nest inside a wall of your house.

References

• EarthEasy.com: Wasp Control