When it comes to pests, there are few as off-putting as wasps. After all, they fly, they have strong and durable bodies, and their stings are quite painful. Despite this, wasps are beneficial to the environment. So even though they may be scary pests, we wouldn’t want to get rid of them altogether.
But that doesn’t mean you want them building nests on your home or property as they can be dangerous to humans. That’s why it’s important to know the best preventative techniques to keep wasps away and your Plano family safe.
How To Identify Wasps?
Because there are several thousands of species of wasps, their appearances vary from species to species (in fact, did you know Hornets are a species of wasp?). Generally speaking, wasps tend to be black or brown with yellow or brown markings (though they can be metallic green and even blue). They typically have two pairs of wings and a pinched-in waist. They tend to grow from 5/8th of an inch to ¾ of an inch in length.
What Threats Do Wasps Pose?
The primary threats wasps pose to humans has to do with their stingers. Wasps' stings can be very painful, and, unlike bees, wasps are capable of stinging many times in a row which makes them all the more menacing. In addition to this, to people who are allergic to wasp venom, wasp stings can be fatal.
How To Keep Wasps Away From Your Yard
Interestingly, one of the best ways to make your yard less attractive to wasps is through the plants that you grow. That is because some plants attract wasps while others are known to repel them. If you avoid the plants that attract wasps and plant the ones that repel them, you can make your yard very unappealing to any wasps in the area.
- Plants that you should plant to repel wasps include wormwood herb, spearmint, thyme, eucalyptus, lemongrass, pennyroyal, and marigolds.
- Plants that you should avoid planting because they attract wasps include Queen Annie’s lace, yarrow, forsythia, bridal wreath spirea, and sweet fennel.
In addition to controlling the plants that grow in your yard, there are many other preventative steps you can take to minimize your risk of wasp infestations on your property. These include:
- Seal trash in bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Pick up any trash from around your property.
- Fill any holes in the ground where wasps could build nests.
- Remove any potential food such as hummingbird feeders or fruit from your property.
- Keep unscreened doors and windows shut.
- Fix any holes in screens.
- Seal any cracks in the exterior of your home with caulk.
If you can cultivate the plants that repel wasps, avoid the plants that attract them, and follow these tips, you should reduce your exposure to wasps in and around your property which means less worrying about you and your family’s safety.
For Wasp Prevention Assistance, Call The Pros
If you have questions about preventing wasps or are currently dealing with a wasp nest on your property, don’t hesitate to call the professionals here at All-Safe Pest & Termite. Here at All-Safe Pest & Termite, we will send a trained pest professional to remove any wasp infestations you may currently be dealing with, as well as help you to take the proper steps to avoid future infestations. Don’t let wasps take control of your yard. Give us a call today so that you and your family can go back to enjoying the great outdoors, worry-free.