Banish Wasps from Your Garden with This 22p Gardening Trick You Already Have at Home
Brits Brace for Wasp Season Amidst Summer's Approach
As the heat of summer arrives, outdoor dining becomes a coveted treat. However, with the pleasant weather also comes the unwelcome return of wasps, nuisance insects that can spoil picnics and barbecues.
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The onset of wasp season commenced in April, and the prolonged warm weather has provided ideal conditions for these pests to flourish. A painful sting can spoil a sun-soaked afternoon and, for those with allergies, trigger life-threatening anaphylaxis. Moreover, if wasps decide to build a nest on your property, their population can escalate rapidly, and removal by pest control professionals may cost up to £200.
Josh Novell, an expert horticulturist at Polhill Garden Centre, offers a simple, eco-friendly solution to this wasp problem, one that may already be found in your kitchen. "Garlic is an effective deterrent for wasps," explains Josh. Its strong odor overpowers a wasp's senses, causing them to vacate the area. This solution is inexpensive, accessible, and easy to use.
To employ garlic as a wasp repellent, place minced garlic in a small bowl near seating or food for outdoor dining. Alternatively, you can prepare a spray made with 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder dissolved in water, which can be applied around patios, doorways, and bins.
Other natural, cost-effective methods to deter wasps include growing garlic in garden beds or containers, using bay leaves, basil, or burning coffee grounds. Maintaining good hygiene, such as cleaning up spills and covering food and drinks, can also help prevent attracting wasps.
If you aim to keep pests at bay throughout summer, Josh suggests using peppermint oil to deter hornets and wasps from your patio or balcony. Vinegar can be effective in deterring moths, while herbs such as cinnamon, mint, chili pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic serve as deterrents for flying ants. Inside and out, essential oil fragrances like eucalyptus, lavender, and lemongrass can help repel mosquitoes.
To safeguard your outdoor dining areas from wasps during summer, consider using garlic as a natural deterrent. Follow the advice of horticulturist Josh Novell from Polhill Garden Centre and place minced garlic near seating or food, or create a spray using garlic powder and water to apply around patios, doorways, and bins. Additionally, consider growing garlic in your home-and-garden for a long-term wasp repellent.
