During the summer months, uninvited guests can make an appearance in British gardens: wasps. These stripy insects pose a frequent menace, hovering over picnics, sugary drinks, or circling around fruit trees.
In reality, there’s a simple reason why wasps make their way into your garden during the warmer months. Summer provides the pests with plenty of opportunities to build and expand their nests — making your outdoor space just as appealing to them as it is to you. According to Elizabeth Adams, a storage and garden specialist from UrbanLocker.co.uk, the issue frequently begins with poor outdoor practices.
“Garden benches, sheds, cushion boxes, or anything with a lid or crevice can look like a ready-made nest site to a wasp,” she cautioned.
And it’s not merely about mess; even “sugar residue on outdoor tables, rotting fruit under trees, or wet cushions shoved in a bench box” can attract them.
Fortunately, there’s a straightforward, natural solution that’s simple to create at home using just three components – and it doesn’t require harsh chemicals or expensive pest control specialists.
Elizabeth emphasised how her preferred DIY spray can deter wasps effortlessly, owing to its potent aroma and lasting effect on garden surfaces.
“These oils contain compounds that wasps find overwhelming. One quick spray around your seating area or shed door can keep them from building nests or hovering nearby,” she revealed.
The homemade concoction – created from 500ml of water, a tablespoon of washing-up liquid, and a combination of geranium essential oil and clove – is inexpensive yet powerful.
At merely £4.59 for the essential components, it’s an affordable remedy that performs optimally when used every few days on decking, garden furniture, storage containers, and wherever wasps typically gather.
However, Elizabeth maintains that the spray is merely part of the solution, with neat storage and regular maintenance being equally important.
She stated: “The key is not just sealing them up but using the right kind of storage,” which involves swapping cardboard boxes for airtight garden containers with secure clips and regularly checking for early signs of nests.
