Warm weather naturally draws people to the pool, but it also attracts unwelcome guests like wasps. The presence of these stinging insects creates a safety issue and a nuisance for anyone trying to relax outdoors. Understanding why wasps visit your swimming area is the first step toward effective mitigation. Many practical solutions exist that focus on modifying the environment to make your pool less appealing to these pests.
Why Wasps Seek Out Swimming Pools
Wasps are drawn to swimming pools for three necessities: water, sugar, and protein. In the heat of summer, the pool represents a reliable source of hydration for insects that need to drink and cool their nests. They often skim the surface or land on the coping to collect water to bring back to their colony.
Wasps are also attracted to the strong compounds released by pool chemicals. The scent of chlorine, in particular, can act as an olfactory signal drawing them toward the water source. Furthermore, wasps are scavengers with a dual diet, seeking both sweet substances and protein sources.
Adult worker wasps require sugary liquids for energy, making spilled sodas, fruit juices, and melting ice cream irresistible. They also forage for protein, such as meat scraps from poolside snacks, to feed the developing larvae back at the nest. This combination of needs transforms the pool deck into a foraging hotspot.
Managing Water and Food Resources
The most effective strategy involves removing or redirecting the resources that attract wasps. Since wasps visit the most accessible water source, providing an alternative drinking station can divert their attention. Placing a shallow dish of water with small stones or a wet sponge about 20 feet away allows them a safe place to land and drink without interfering with swimmers.
It is important to eliminate any sources of standing water outside the pool, such as leaky hoses, unattended buckets, or clogged gutters. Wasps are sensitive to food odors, so strict sanitation practices must be enforced around the pool area. All sugary drinks should be kept covered or served indoors, and any spills must be wiped up immediately.
Food waste, especially containers that held sugary liquids or meat scraps, should be placed in a tightly sealed trash receptacle. This container should be located a significant distance from the swimming area, as residual smells can still draw wasps. Regularly cleaning the pool deck to remove food particles prevents the establishment of a persistent feeding ground.
Implementing Active Deterrents
Active measures designed to confuse or repel wasps can supplement resource management efforts. Wasps are territorial, and the presence of a perceived rival colony will cause them to leave the area. Hanging a visual deterrent, such as a commercially available fake wasp nest or a simple inflated brown paper bag, near the pool exploits this behavior.
Olfactory deterrents offer a non-toxic way to create a barrier that wasps dislike. A spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of peppermint, clove, or eucalyptus essential oil can be used to lightly mist the pool perimeter, furniture, and umbrella fabric. These strong scents confuse the wasp’s sense of smell, making it difficult for them to locate attractive elements.
Strategic use of traps can reduce the local wasp population by luring them away from the pool. A homemade trap can be constructed from a plastic bottle cut in half, with the top inverted to form a funnel. The trap should be baited with sugar water or raw meat. Placing cooking oil inside the funnel entrance makes the sides too slippery for the wasps to climb out, containing them away from the main activity.