No one wants wasps flying near their home as these insects are dangerous and can sting you multiple times.
So, how do you get rid of a wasp nest when you discover one near your home?
The obvious choice would be some commercial wasp killing spray or wasp traps but in many cases, you don’t need to spend money on these products.
Perhaps you’ve already heard about soapy water for wasps being a good home remedy. However, there are many other effective wasp deterrents that not only repel wasps, but also yellow jackets and even hornets.
Today, we are going to talk specifically about peppermint oil and it’s common use as a homemade wasp spray. But does peppermint oil really repel wasps? And if so, how exactly do you use it?
Can Peppermint Oil Be Used for Wasp Control?
Believe it or not, peppermint oil can repel wasps, dirt daubers, yellow jackets, hornets and other common pests. There are many people who have used this essential oil as a home remedy to successfully drive wasps from their property.
But if simply adding only a few drops of peppermint oil in a bottle of water sounds too good a solution to be true, you’re right.
Related: What Do Wasps Eat and Drink?
Sometimes, home remedies fail to provide the desired results. Perhaps you didn’t prepare the solution in the right concentration, or applied the spray incorrectly. Both of these would result in peppermint oil being ineffective.
In essence, you can try this home remedy to get rid of these insects but, make sure you follow this method step by step if you want the most out of your wasp repellent.
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What Makes Peppermint Oil Work on Wasps?
Insects can be very strange. For example, they smell with their feet and wasps can’t see the color red while honey bees can’t tell the difference between red and black. Insects also rely heavily on pheromones and other scents to communicate or forage.
This is where peppermint oil mixtures have an advantage. When you use peppermint (or any other strong-smelling essential oil mixture), the powerful scents will overpower any pheromone trails or markers. Wasps have an especially strong sense of smell, and the spray can mask the smell of food.
How to Make a Peppermint Oil Wasp Spray
This peppermint oil wasp spray is very easy to prepare and includes several potent ingredients. When mixed and used properly, it can be very effective.
- Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of warm water in a spray bottle.
- Add one teaspoon of peppermint essential oil.
- Attach the top of the spray bottle and shake to mix all the ingredients.
Additional Ingredients
Some people like to make the spray more potent by creating an essential oil blend. This may include one or more of the following:
- Eucalyptus essential oil
- Lemongrass essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil
- Tea tree oil
Not only does adding additional oils potentially increase the potency, it can also allow you to tailor the smell to your liking.
When making a large batch, you can also use water steeped with crushed garlic overnight. Two tablespoons of dish soap gently blended in per 16 cups of water (i.e. one gallon) to help the spray stick to surfaces longer.
Using Peppermint Oil Sprays
Once you have this mixture prepared, it’s time to use it on the target.
Be aware that when you spray the peppermint solution on stinging insects, they can get angry and sting you. To avoid this, wear full sleeve clothes and pants. You can also wear a mask and gloves.
Wait until dusk and locate the wasp nest. Spray the prepared solution directly on it to saturate the nest. The strong scent of peppermint and other ingredients will repel them away from the nest and your property. But don’t stop with the nest.
Make sure you spray the peppermint solution wherever wasps are likely to nest or forage, such as railings or eaves. Wasps are attracted to salty and sugary smells, so you should also spray your trash cans and recycling bins which smell like potential food sources to the wasps.
If you want the best possible results, it’s important to reuse the spray every two to three days until the wasps are gone.
What if Peppermint Oil Doesn’t Repel the Wasps?
There’s always a risk that any remedy (even commercial ones) won’t work for a number of possible reasons. Sometimes it’s just a matter of whether you’re attacking a ground nest or a hanging one, such as those made by paper wasps. Other times, the spray may have simply been washed away by rain during the night.
If peppermint oil fails to get rid of the wasps, don’t panic. There are many other home remedies to try and some commercial products like wasp foggers and bombs.
And if you still don’t get the results you need or you can’t locate or reach a wasp nest, then you can always call in the pros.
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Dealing With Wasps Through Professional Pest Control
Peppermint oil and other home remedies can definitely get rid of wasps; however they may not be 100% effective.
The cost of a wasp exterminator is well worth it, especially in severe cases.
Pest control companies have a lot of experience in dealing with these stinging pests. They have access to professional grade insecticides that work faster and for longer periods than what you can find on a store shelf.
Click the link below to get free quotes from multiple local pest control companies to help choose an exterminator who is economical, effective, and can eliminate these pests for good.
Final Words
Peppermint oil can repel wasps, but only if you use it properly. Therefore, when making a peppermint oil repellent, make sure to follow all instructions step by step.
Don’t just mix all of them in a random concentration and expect positive results. This not only won’t be very effective, it will also be a waste of materials that might discourage you from using home remedies in future.
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