One of the most important parts of enjoying your patio is knowing how to keep wasps away from patio umbrella!
Wasps are a nuisance when they come in contact with humans and can even be dangerous.
This post will discuss various ways to prevent wasp nests on your porch and get rid of wasp in your patio umbrella!
If you have a patio umbrella, it’s hard to enjoy the outdoor space of your home without being annoyed by wasps buzzing around. These pesky insects are incredibly frustrating and annoying.
Wasp infestations are a common problem in the summer months. These pests can wreak havoc on your patio umbrella, which is how they get their name!
The insects will build nests on top of the fabric, and you’ll be left with an itchy mess that’s almost impossible to clean up. To avoid this problem, you need to keep them away from the patio umbrella.
Contents
- Why Do Wasps Nest in your Umbrellas?
- How to Keep Wasps Away From Patio Umbrella?
- 1. Use Peppermint Oil to Repel Wasps
- 2. Set up Wasp Traps
- 3. Use Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade)
- 4. Avoid leaving Food Right on Your Patio
- 5. Plant Wasp-Repelling Plants
- 6. Keep Your Patio Umbrella Clean Using Soapy Water
- Frequently Asked Questions about Wasps in Patio
- Q: What Smells Do Wasps Hate?
- Q: How Do I Keep Wasps Away In My Backyard?
- Q: Why Are Wasps Attracted To My Patio Umbrella?
- Author
Why Do Wasps Nest in your Umbrellas?
· Wasps or not that picky on where to build their nests. They love hidden areas that are away from natural elements like rain and predators. And that is one reason why your patio umbrella is an ideal location for them.
· They are attracted to the fabric or vinyl because it is made of polyesters, giving the wasp’s protein-rich larvae a chance to grow up.
· If you Leave food particles and drink spills around the patio, it is also an invitation for wasps to build nests. So Keep Clean all the time. You’ll also most likely find a wasp nest built on the top of your patio umbrella if you leave it out during the summer months.
Related: How to get rid of all insects in your yard
How to Keep Wasps Away From Patio Umbrella?
Although wasps are persistent little creatures that are difficult to get rid of once they’ve set up shop, however, there are some easy things you can do to keep them away from your patio umbrella.
1. Use Peppermint Oil to Repel Wasps
Peppermint oil is an inexpensive solution that you can use to drive away wasps. It is a powerful oil that repels wasps with its sharp scent.
You only need to apply a small amount of peppermint oil on the canopy of your patio umbrella, or you can spray it directly on wasp nests to keep them away.
Mix 4 cups of water with 1 teaspoon of peppermint oil and spray it on areas where wasps tend to congregate, like the perimeter of the patio umbrella itself.
The scent will repel even large numbers of wasps, so they won’t bother entering your backyard at all!
Related Post: What color light keeps bugs away?
2. Set up Wasp Traps
Another way to keep wasps away is to create a trap that will eliminate them gradually.
You can create a simple, homemade trap using an empty can and scraps of fabric – perfect for those who don’t have much money to spend!
Simply cut a hole near the bottom of a can that’s big enough for wasps to enter.
Then, cover the top with scraps of fabric – you want to use something strong and durable like gauze – and secure them in place with tape or a rubber band.
Once you’ve created your trap, fill it with cider vinegar as bait. Wasps are attracted to the smell of cider vinegar, so they’ll be drawn towards your trap.
Also read: Best outdoor sun shades for patio
As soon as one insect enters the hole, it will fall into the bottom of the can and drown in the cider vinegar!
3. Use Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade)
Another thing you can do to keep wasps away is sprinkling diatomaceous earth – a naturally occurring, white powder – all over your patio umbrella.
This powder is incredibly difficult for insects to digest because it’s made of tiny rock particles that are sharp enough to slice through their exoskeletons.
Simply sprinkle some on your patio umbrella whenever you’re not using it, and the wasps won’t bother hanging around!
You can find Diatomaceous earth at any local store or Amazon: HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade.
Read: How to keep spiders off porch ceiling
4. Avoid leaving Food Right on Your Patio
Food attracts all kinds of insects, including wasps. If there are dishes with leftovers resting directly on your patio umbrella, they’ll be sure to find them quickly.
If possible, avoid placing food directly on the canopy while you’re having your meals.
Dishes can rest on tables nearby, or use a tablecloth to cover the canopy if you want to keep the insects away during picnics or events.
5. Plant Wasp-Repelling Plants
To keep wasps away from your patio umbrella, it may be a good idea to plant a few wasp-repelling plants beside it.
Wasp-repelling plants often have strong scents that can scare off insects, including wasps.
Some common examples include citronella grass and lemon balm – both of which you can grow in small pots near your patio umbrella! These will help deter any incoming insects.
6. Keep Your Patio Umbrella Clean Using Soapy Water
Last but not least, you should try your best to keep your patio umbrella clean. There’s no reason why you can’t give it a quick wipe when you’re done using it for the day!
Otherwise, wasps and other insects may be drawn to the dirt and grime that collects on its canopy. If this happens, they’ll build their nests there and stay for good!
Cleaning with hot soapy water is best. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry in sunlight which will kill any eggs or larvae left behind by the wasps.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wasps in Patio
Q: What Smells Do Wasps Hate?
A: Wasps hate the smell of citrus fruit, especially lemons and oranges.
Laying lemon peel on your patio umbrella or spraying it with a mixture of water and lemon juice will help keep wasps away.
Q: How Do I Keep Wasps Away In My Backyard?
Plants like citronella grass, peppermint, and eucalyptus repel insects, including wasps, so planting them in your garden will help deter future wasps from entering.
You can also hang sachets of dried herbs in areas around your patio umbrella to deter the insects.
Q: Why Are Wasps Attracted To My Patio Umbrella?
The canopy of a patio umbrella is covered in many different textures and materials.
This makes it easy for wasps to find a place to construct their nests without getting too hot or wet.
As such, they’re often attracted to the canopy because of its smooth texture and shade.
Even Though how to keep wasps away from your patio umbrella can be a bit challenging, it’s not impossible! If you try out these simple tricks, you’ll never have to worry about having a nest on your porch ever again.
