Khaki, tan, and dark colors are less attractive to wasps.” Wasps have a wide range of colors they can see and because of that color influences their behavior. Yellow, blue, and orange can cause them to go on the offensive, as these colors can be associated with other aggressive insects.
The other step I highly recommend is to paint eaves and porch and patio ceilings with the color called haint blue. It is a robin's-egg blue that, according to Southern tradition, discourages wasps from building nests on its surface. Every paint manufacturer sells a version of this color.
What scent or smell keeps wasps away? Wasps have a strong sense of smell and dislike certain plants like peppermint, spearmint, basil, eucalyptus, cloves, geranium, thyme, citronella, bay leaves, and lemongrass. They are also repelled by vinegar, cinnamon, coffee grounds, and sliced cucumber.
Although wasps are generally more attracted to yellow and white, some species also show an affinity for blue and purple. These colors can resemble certain types of flowers, such as lavender, bluebells, and violets.
Peppermint oil: Wasps and hornets hate the smell of peppermint oil! So, take a cotton ball soaked in peppermint oil and place it near areas where you've seen wasps and hornets. You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with water and use it to spray areas.
Citrus - Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges can help deter wasps around your yard. Peppermint oil - Peppermint oil is one of the most effective essential oils for keeping wasps away. Citronella - Citronella oil is also effective, as it has a strong citrus smell that wasps do not like.
Blue: A Neutral Color
Blue is thought to be a color that might reduce wasp activity due to their visual perception. Wasps may not distinguish blue as easily as other colors, which could make blue objects less interesting to them.
The majority of cases of people receiving hundreds of stings usually occurred from wandering into a wooded area and stepping into a mature nest. Then thousands of yellowjackets can swarm after the unlucky adult or child. If the victim is wearing thin clothing, the wasps can sting right through the clothing.
If a wasp lands on you, don't flap at it or try to brush it off – it will sting you. Just stay still and let it fly off in its own time.
Some natural predators of wasps include: Praying mantis. Dragonflies. Centipedes.
(Tip: if you've got fallen or rotting fruit on your property, bury it deep in the compost pile.) Wasps' weakness for sweets may work in your favour. Lure them to a dish of water and apple juice laced with dish soap: they'll drown.
If wasps feel threatened or if their nest is disturbed it makes them very aggressive and provokes them to sting. If you see a wasp nest, follow the tips below: Do not approach a wasp's nest during the day when they are the most active.
Grow Garden Variety Wasp Repelling Plants
There are specific herbs and wasp repellent plants, like lemongrass, peppermint, thyme, eucalyptus, wormwood, bay leaves, citronella, and cloves that wasps will avoid. There are flowers like marigolds, geraniums, and pennyroyals that wasps also tend to stay away from.
The blue color was meant to ward off “haints” or evil spirits who might want to harm the house or the family inside. Tricking Insects. Many people argue that painting your porch ceiling blue actually keeps insects away.
Painters even use blue paint to repel bees and wasps. Painting your porch ceiling in a blue tone could repel wasps, leading to fewer wasp-eating spiders around your home! Flies and mosquitoes, on the other hand, are attracted to blue tones and repelled by warm tones like yellow and orange.
An article from professors at Oklahoma State recommends that “when in wasp-infested areas, avoid wearing sweet-smelling colognes, perfumes, and hair sprays and bright orange, yellow, and blue clothing, as they will attract flying wasps. Khaki, tan, and dark colors are less attractive to wasps.”
Bright clothes, ripe fruit, and sweet smells are all things that can attract wasps. So, if you enjoy the occasional picnic or BBQ and wear fun clothing during the summer, you may have already found the cause of the wasp attraction.
Summary. Unlike a bee, which can only sting once, the European wasp can sting repeatedly. Around one in 10 people who are stung two or more times become allergic, which means they will experience severe reactions to any subsequent stings.
Homemade Wasp Repellent Spray
The best essential oils to repel wasps are geraniol, clove, thyme, peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary. Simply mix a few drops in a sprayer and add some dish soap to help the mixture spread & stick!
Stay Calm
Wasps are sensitive to movement so any yelling, flailing, or running will only do worse. The insects will see you as a threat and will start attacking. Do not do anything that will catch their attention. Instead, move away slowly with your eyes closed and head down.
Bay leaves: Bay leaves are a natural repellent that wasps do not like. You can bury bay leaves around your home or yard, or you can make a spray by mixing bay leaves with water. Coffee grounds: Coffee grounds are a natural repellent that wasps do not like.
Household items can also be used to repel wasps, such as mixing vinegar and water together. This mixture also helps to cover other smells, which helps to prevent wasps from flying around your house. You can even add some peppermint oil to the mix for the best results.
As it turns out rubbing Vicks Vapor Rub around the feeding flowers effectively repels the bees and wasps away, but doesn't bother the birds because birds don't have a sense of smell, but the wasps and bees do.
Certain scents — like peppermint, glove geranium and lemongrass — are proven to repel wasps. Mix several drops of each oil with water and dish soap in a spray bottle and coat areas on the outside of your home where wasps like to build nests: under eaves, porch roofs and other ledges and crevices.