With warmer weather just around the corner now that we’ve hit spring, a gardening expert has shared a top tip on how to deter wasps from your garden this year – and it’s simple and affordable.
“Wasps can be quite a nuisance in the garden,” gardener Ish explained on TikTok. “This tip is for beginner gardeners and is my safe and friendly way to keep them from making nests near your home and garden – it’s kinder on nature and super easy too!”
He began his video by revealing all you will need is string and a black plastic bag. “Wasps will be looking for somewhere to nest and they’re incredibly territorial – so if they see one that already exists, they won’t make one anywhere near,” Ish explained.
And that’s where the string and plastic bag come into play. “We’re going to use them to create a fake wasps’ nest,” Ish said. Showcasing his technique, he rolled the bag in on itself until he reached a corner. “Now, tie that and you should see it’s already starting to take a nest shape,” Ish added, advising to stuff it with another little bag if it doesn’t hold it’s shape.
Next, Ish used the string to tie two knots to hold the shape in place. “I’ve made a little loop in the string to hang it on the end of a branch in the middle of the garden,” he continued. “It may not be too aesthetically pleasing, but the wasps will see this and think and think it’s another nest and stay away throughout the rest of spring and summer.”
Ish hailed his method: “It’s a really safe and non-toxic way of keeping wasps away from your home, because they’ll just nest elsewhere.” The fake nest idea also has uses beyond the garden.
Ish pointed out that they’re just as effective in the home – whether that be in the attic or your porch area. “You don’t have to use black plastic bags,” he closed. “If you want to be more environmentally conscious, try something like burlap sacks – just stuff them with something that’s fairly loose so that it feels like it’s a real nest and it’ll keep those wasps at bay.”
Impressed by Ish’s trick, one TikTok user penned in response: “I think I’ll be doing this today! I’m not above gaslighting wasps.”
A second person commented: “Definitely trying this. I had a queen trying to find somewhere to live in my house last year. Neighbour spotted it trying to enter into a hole in the mortar. I was petrified.”
A third praised: “Needed to see this! Gonna do this at my allotment they always chasing me around. Thank you.” A fourth shared: “Definitely trying this, got stung last year digging holes for post for our new fence and disturbed a nest (not knowing) one went up my t-shirt and stung me. They’re sleeping in our log store too.”
However, a fifth TikTok user claimed: “The territorial part is a half myth. I had five active hives in one shed. Also, they built inside my decoy one year. So, it might work, but not always.”