The common types of wasps, such as yellow jackets and paper wasps, are driven by two instincts: foraging and nest protection. Wasps are not inherently aggressive but become defensive when food sources are scarce or their territory is threatened. In the early season, worker wasps hunt protein to feed their larvae. By late summer, their diet shifts to carbohydrates, making them highly attracted to human food and drinks. Keeping them away from your patio focuses on non-lethal, preventative measures that discourage them from establishing a presence.
Removing Common Patio Attractants
Wasps are scavengers, and the quickest way to reduce their presence is by removing the food, water, and shelter sources they seek. In spring and early summer, wasps are drawn to protein, often seeking meat scraps from grilling or open pet food bowls to feed their young. Later in the season, their diet shifts entirely to sugar, making sweet drinks, fallen ripe fruit, and sticky food residues highly attractive.
Outdoor dining areas must be kept clean; all food and drink spills, especially sodas and juices, should be wiped up immediately. Garbage management is also a factor, as open trash cans and unrinsed recycling bins provide an accessible feast of sugary residues. Using sealed, tight-fitting lids on all outdoor waste containers and emptying them frequently removes a major attractant.
Wasps require water for hydration and to soften wood fibers for nest construction. Standing water sources like birdbaths, leaky faucets, or pet water bowls become regular hydration hubs. Regularly refreshing or eliminating standing water near your patio makes the area less appealing for drinking and nest-building.
Non-Toxic Methods for Wasp Deterrence
Once attractants are managed, active deterrence methods signal to wasps that your patio is not a desirable location. Wasps possess a strong sense of smell and are naturally repelled by potent scents from essential oils. Peppermint oil is an effective non-toxic deterrent. A simple solution of a few drops mixed with water and dish soap can be sprayed on patio surfaces.
A blend of essential oils, including clove, lemongrass, and geranium, is effective when applied to outdoor furniture or diffused. Placing cotton balls soaked with peppermint oil in strategic locations, such as under eaves or near entry points, creates a sensory barrier. The pungent aroma disrupts their ability to forage and navigate, encouraging them to seek resources elsewhere.
Visual and physical deterrents exploit the wasp’s territorial nature. Wasps are reluctant to build a nest near an existing colony, so hanging a fake or decoy wasp nest near your patio is an effective trick. This visual cue suggests the territory is occupied, prompting passing wasps to move on to find a non-competitive location.
Strategic placement of simple, non-toxic traps can divert foraging wasps away from your seating area. A mixture of sugar water, vinegar, and a drop of dish soap placed in a specialized trap or jar can lure wasps. These traps must be situated at least 20 feet away from the patio, ensuring the insects are drawn to a location distant from human activity.
Safe Action When a Nest is Present
Even with preventative measures, a nest may be discovered in sheltered spots like under deck boards, within eaves, or inside shed walls. Identifying the nest location and size is the first step in deciding on a safe course of action. Paper wasp nests often look like upside-down umbrellas and are less aggressive than the hidden nests of yellow jackets, which can be in the ground or wall voids.
A do-it-yourself approach should only be considered for very small, newly started nests, roughly the size of a ping-pong ball, and only if you are not allergic to stings. Treating a nest requires waiting until late evening or early morning, when the wasps are least active and most of the colony is inside. Wear heavy, protective clothing and have a clear escape route planned before approaching any nest.
Nests larger than a fist, located high up, found inside a wall void, or belonging to aggressive species like yellow jackets, require professional intervention. Disturbing a large or hidden nest can cause a defensive swarm, which is dangerous. A professional exterminator has the necessary protective gear and specialized tools to safely eliminate the colony and prevent re-infestation.