Paper wasps (genus Polistes) are frequently mistaken for their more aggressive relatives, the yellow jackets and hornets. These insects are more slender than the stocky yellow jacket, exhibiting a noticeable “waist” that connects the thorax to the abdomen. They construct distinctive open, umbrella-shaped nests, often found hanging beneath eaves, porch ceilings, or in sheltered areas. The goal of a safe, non-lethal strategy is to make your property an undesirable location for these territorial insects to forage or nest.
Modifying the Environment to Remove Attractants
Long-term wasp repellence involves eliminating the resources that draw them to your area. Paper wasps constantly forage for two primary materials: food (proteins and sugars) and construction materials. Removing these attractants reduces the incentive for them to linger or establish a colony nearby.
Wasps are scavengers that require readily available sugar sources for energy. All outdoor food sources, including uncovered garbage cans, compost piles, and pet food, should be secured with tight-fitting lids. Promptly cleaning up food and drink spills on patios and decks removes easy-access fuel for foraging workers. Fallen or overripe fruit in gardens must also be cleared away quickly to prevent providing a sweet attractant.
Wasps require cellulose to build their characteristic paper nests, which they create by chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva. Exposed wood on decks, fences, or wood piles can become a target for them to scrape material from. Covering lumber or treating weathered wooden structures denies them this construction material. Eliminating standing water, such as from leaky hoses or bird baths, is also important, as wasps require water for drinking and for mixing their wood pulp.
Utilizing Scent-Based Deterrents
Paper wasps rely heavily on their sense of smell for foraging and communication, making olfactory disruption an effective, non-lethal deterrent strategy. Strong aromatic compounds in essential oils can confuse the wasp’s sensory system, causing them to avoid the treated area. Several essential oils have been identified that exhibit significant repellency against these social wasps.
Clove, geranium, and lemongrass oils are highly effective, sometimes blocking the wasps’ attraction to food baits. Clove oil contains eugenol, and lemongrass oil contains citral, both powerful wasp repellents. Other effective oils contain active compounds like menthone that wasps actively avoid:
- Clove
- Geranium
- Lemongrass
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Wintergreen
- Rosemary
To apply these deterrents, create a simple spray by mixing 10 to 20 drops of essential oil per liter of water, adding dish soap to help the oil emulsify and stick. This mixture can be sprayed on areas where wasps frequently congregate or attempt to start nests, such as under eaves and around window frames. For sustained release, pure oil can be applied to cotton balls and placed in discreet locations within sheltered outdoor spaces. Planting aromatic herbs like mint or lavender near outdoor living areas also provides a mild, natural layer of deterrence.
Employing Visual and Physical Exclusion Methods
Strategies utilizing visual cues and physical barriers prevent paper wasps from nesting on or entering your home. Paper wasps are territorial, and this instinct can be exploited using visual deterrents. Decoy or “fake nests” mimic an established colony, tricking scouting queens into believing the location is already occupied.
Wasps rely primarily on visual cues when selecting a nesting site, and a queen is unlikely to start a new nest in what she perceives as a competitor’s territory. These decoys are most effective when deployed in the early spring, before the queen has begun construction of her own nest. They should be placed in areas where nesting is common, such as under eaves or porch overhangs. Once a real nest is active and established, a decoy is generally ineffective, as the colony is already committed to the location.
Physical exclusion provides reliable long-term protection by making potential nesting sites inaccessible. Paper wasps often seek out sheltered voids and crevices to build their nests. Inspect the exterior of your home and seal any cracks, gaps, or holes in the siding, foundation, or utility entry points using caulk or weather stripping. Ensure that all window and door screens are fully intact and properly sealed to prevent wasps from entering the home. If you have outdoor vents, cover them securely with fine-mesh netting that allows air flow but blocks insect entry. Trimming back overgrown shrubbery and tree branches that overhang the house can also reduce the number of sheltered spots available for new nest initiation.