For many Torontonians, late summer brings with it cooler weather and the need to put the flip-flops away, but it, unfortunately, doesn’t include the end of wasp season.

As a matter of fact, in the late summer months, wasp populations are reaching their largest having used the entirety of summer to build up their numbers in full force.

That means that while you may have done some wasp prevention early in the season, it’s too early to give up until next year. You must remain diligent to keep wasps at bay. Here are a few natural, do-it-yourself ways to deter wasps that there’s still time to put into play.

Make Your Property Less Attractive

You may enjoy the curb appeal of your home, but don’t worry because the same things that make your house attractive to you probably don’t work for a wasp.

It’s important to minimise the appeal of your home and yard to a wasp. You can do this by:

• Keeping food out of reach – Wasps are predators, which means they’re carnivores. If you have pets you feed outside, make sure not to inadvertently feed wasps right along with them. Don’t leave pet food sitting out.
• Keep your garden fertilised – Strong, healthy plants in your garden can naturally repel insects like wasps to help keep them under control. So, healthy, thriving plants are a great line of defense.
• Avoid creating homes for wasps – Any loose boards, gaps, cracks, or other issues with the maintenance of your home or other buildings on your property can create the perfect opportunity for wasps to create a home. Repair these areas and fill in any cracks or gaps to keep them out.
• Look out for burrows – Any animals that have created holes in your yard can leave an opportunity for swarming wasps to create a nest. If you find an empty burrow or nest, fill it in or place a rock over it to discourage wasps from taking up residence.
• Create dummy wasp nests – Wasps don’t like to be close neighbours, so you can deter them from creating a nest by putting up a fake one. No wasps will set up shop within 200 feet of another colony, so use that to your advantage.

How to Naturally Repel Wasps

There are some things you can try to naturally deter wasps from your home. Of course, if you notice that they continue to be a problem after trying this, then it may be time to call in the professional pest control experts.

 

In the meantime, if you want to give it a go on your own, you should:

• Use peppermint oil – A great way to make homemade, natural wasp spray is with peppermint oil. Simply get a spray bottle and mix one tablespoon of oil with 16 ounces of water. Spray targeted areas each day for one week to keep wasps away.
• Use soap – You can use plain dish soap mixed with water to create an effective wasp killer, too. Use the same ratio as the peppermint oil spray with soap and water and spray directly into nests or onto wasps. It’s a good idea to spray wasp nest at night with protective clothing on in case you make them angry.
• Use baby powder – If you’re looking for a powder-based wasp solution, then simply sprinkle baby powder around the places you see wasps. This is a great repellant and will keep wasps away. Add some to the areas needed every day to keep them from coming back.

Don’t let your guard down with summer coming to a close. Stay diligent with wasp control in Toronto to keep wasps away!

About the Author:

Daniel Mackie, co-owner of Greenleaf Pest Control, is a Toronto pest control expert and a regular guest on HGTV. He is renowned in the industry as an innovator of safe, effective pest control solutions. Mackie and business partner Sandy Costa were the first pest control professionals in Canada to use detection dogs and thermal remediation for the successful eradication of bed bugs. In his free time, he is an avid gardener.