If you have a wasp problem, you may be wondering how to get rid of wasps with vinegar. Or if such a non-poisonous substance like vinegar even works.
But the question is, does vinegar kill wasps? Or does vinegar repel wasps?
Vinegar keeps wasps away temporarily. Depending on your area’s species, these diverse insects come in many forms and are often solitary.
In this article, we’ll delve into various natural wasp repellent vinegar remedies we can use to get rid of wasps.
Getting Rid of Wasps with Vinegar
Learning how to get rid of wasps with vinegar is straightforward.
Wasps hate the smell of vinegar, making it an effective medium for getting rid of wasps.
There are a few different recipes to try:
- Equal parts water and vinegar (white or apple cider) in a spray bottle
- 2 cups of apple cider vinegar, 1 cup of water, 2 cups of sugar, ¼ to ½ cups of dish soap combined in a large bowl and emptied into a plastic bottle
Both of these apple cider vinegar wasp trap mixtures function well as a spray but work differently.
Mixture #1
The vinegar and water mixture is a repellent for wasps. Spray the mixture around various outdoor living areas or near where you work outside.
Reapply the mixture often. It loses its effectiveness over time. This simple mixture will not eliminate wasp nests or permanently relocate wasps. It can temporarily clear them out of an area without harming them.
Mixture #2
The second mixture has more ingredients but a larger number of significant applications.
Avoid making bubbles as you mix this solution. Transfer the mix to a plastic bottle of your choice with a narrow opening to create a DIY wasp trap.
The bottle does not need filling up. The idea is that the sugar attracts the wasps, and they become trapped in the bottle. Inside, the dish soap dissolves their outer coating, killing them swiftly.
Fill several bottles and tie a string around them to hang them from trees and other structures.
Carry the bottle while you work in the yard. Keep some near outdoor areas where wasps visit.
Keep the mixture in a spray bottle to use as a lethal wasp spray for small nests and individual wasps that bug you. Saturate them thoroughly until the wasps stop moving.
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How Wasps Are Different From Bees
Before you worry about killing wasps with vinegar, it’s essential to determine if they are a wasp species or a bee.
Most types of bees avoid people, and wasps often do too. Sometimes it is challenging to deal with particularly intrusive wasps.
Bees and wasps need different methods to deter them, but some physical characteristics also set wasps apart:
- Pointed abdomens (often striped black and yellow but can be other colors)
- A narrow waist called a Petiole
- Colorings that include shades of yellow, brown, and metallic blues and reds
Wasps build nests much like bees. Their nests feature a papery substance made from scraped wood fibers, while bees secrete a waxy material.
They usually build on porch roofs, under eaves, crevices, cracks, insulated walls, unsealed vents, and ledges.
How Wasps Benefit Humans
Many of us fear wasps and have felt their painful wasp stings. But this insect eats other pests that may otherwise destroy plants or get out of hand in the yard.
Wasps have a vital role in the ecosystem by keeping pest populations down.
The agricultural industry releases wasps to help control pest populations that could decimate our food crops.
These pests make good food for the wasps or ideal hosts for their parasitic larvae. The wasps’ behavior does not harm humans or present a threat in the process.
Solitary Wasps and Social Wasps
Wasps typically come in two types: solitary and social, with social wasps accounting for about a thousand species.
Yellow jackets or hornets are species of social wasps well known for being prolific nest builders.
These social wasps start over each spring with a new queen, fertilized the year before, and survive winter hibernation. When spring comes, she must emerge to create a small nest for her initial group of working female wasps.
Solitary wasps are the most common type of wasp. They do not form colonies or create large nests.
This group includes some large species of wasps that can reach 1.5″ inches long or larger. These include Tarantula Hawk wasps and Cicada Killers, who use venom when hunting.
Other Natural Repellants
Another common repellent for wasps without chemicals is peppermint – plant peppermint in areas where you want to deter wasps or mix a peppermint oil solution.
A mixture of vinegar will also solve the problem. Just mix two tablespoons of dish soap and water into a spray bottle and spray it on the nests.
Add a little peppermint oil to a spray bottle with water and give it a generous shake to mix. Spray this solution around areas where wasps frequent. Reapply as needed.
Other natural repellants include strong scents of herbs due to their strong sense of smell. This includes citronella, eucalyptus, spearmint, and thyme. You can plant these on your outdoor sitting areas or patio to repel wasps.
You can also use other essential oils with a pungent smell, including rosemary, lemongrass, and clove.
However, in case of wasp infestation, it’s best to call the professionals for proper pest control techniques.