Many people prefer to keep hornets, bumble bees, and wasps away from where their homes. While they can seem like pests it is important to note that bumble bees are especially important to the environment. Repelling versus exterminating is best if you really don't want them around. This is a guide about repelling hornets, bumble bees, and wasps.
Hardiness Zone: 8a
Pam from Sachse, TX
Certain plants (borage, dill, garlic, onion, fennel, sage, thyme, parsley, and marigolds) are said to help repel insects in the garden, but I would doubt their effectiveness when it comes to the likes of hornets, bumblebees, and wasps. I've also read that staking scented dryer sheets around the garden will keep them at bay, although I've never tested this for myself. I'm a bit skeptical about this advice though, as I've also read that to prevent getting stung, a person should avoid using heavily scented soaps, shampoos, perfumes, colognes and after-shaves.
Since these insects are all either important pollinators or insect eaters, it's best not to eliminate their populations entirely. The time to take action is when populations grow big enough to warrant control.
So let's start with the hornets and wasps. Although hornets tend to prefer live prey (only attacking when their nest is disturbed) same control methods tend to work on both. The Yellow Jackets are the variety of social wasps that usually cause the most angst. They are highly attracted to proteins of any kinds, so be sure to keep a lid on your garbage and keep you dog and cat food bowls indoors during the summer months. Wasps are also attracted to the types of refined sugars that are found in soft drinks or used in hummingbird nectars. There are several types of mechanical, non-toxic wasp traps available. These typically hang from trees or eaves and work to help reduce local populations. They work on hornets, too. Look for them online or at a local farm supply store or garden center.
You can also make your own trap with a 2-liter soda bottle. Carefully cut off the top 1/3 of the bottle with a sharp knife and flip it so the neck is face down into the bottom 2/3 of the bottle. Secure the two into place with staples or duct tape. Partially fill the bottle with soda or juice (spill a few drops on the outside to draw the wasps to the scent). Hang the bottle using wire or string, or set it on a stump at the corner of the yard. Wasps and hornets will find their way into the bottle, but the inverted conical shape will confuse them and prevent them from escaping. Clean and refill the trap after several days, or cover it with a garbage bag and toss it into the trash.
A citrus oil spray can be used on rogue wasps and hornets while out working in the garden. This is also available online or at garden centers.
In the case of bumblebees, they are highly beneficial pollinators in the garden that usually don't want anything to do with people. Ignore them and they will typically ignore you. If you find a nest in an area frequented by pets or people, contact a professional for help with removal.
Good luck!
Ellen
We seem to have an infestation of hornets and cannot seem to find the nest anywhere. Does anyone have an inexpensive solution to repelling the little pests? My husband is allergic to the bites. Please help, we do not have the finances to call in an exterminator.
By javamom77
By Greenacres5015
08/24/2011
We have also been fighting Japanese Hornets this year in central Virginia and have wasted losts of money on commercial products. None have worked very well. What has worked fairly well is empty water bottles filled about 1/3 full with sugar water and hung from a tree or post. The more you put out the better. A fairly strong mixture of 1 part sugar and 1 part water works pretty well. They go in the bottle and most can't figure out how to get out and eventually drown. Every now and then you will get one that does get back out, but not very many are that smart. These suckers around here are big, and aggressive. If you get stung it can be deadly. Good luck.
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