Two things that we can all do without this summer are wasps and chemicals.
That’s why we’re bringing you the inside scoop on the best wasp repellents (pesticide-free!).
In our detailed guide, you’ll be able to brush up on:
- Our top recommendation for non-chemical wasp repellents
- Why you have wasps in the first place
- How ultrasonic pest repellers work and why you should use them
- If old-school liquid repellents can keep wasps away
Top 5 Wasp Repellents Reviewed
Short on time? Take a look below for the top 5 in our list. Otherwise, check out our buying guide.
- MaxMoxie Humane Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
- Patio Eden – Wasp Nest Decoy
- Hot Shot Wasp and Hornet Killer
- PT Wasp Freeze II
- Peppermint oil
1. MaxMoxie Humane Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
This is the first pick because of its price point in comparison to the rest of the market.
MaxMoxie has developed a device that works impeccably to repel not just wasps, but hornets, yellow jackets, bees, ants, mosquitoes, spiders, roaches, and all sorts of bugs…without a steep price tag.
This wasp repeller is recommended to those who have a smaller home or wasp-infested area and don’t need to shell out to cover a larger area. It also comes in a 2-pack, so you can place the devices at opposite ends of your property and let them work their magic to drive away the wasps for good.
The Good:
- Successfully repels wasps as well as other stinging pests
- Works to hinder new pests from taking up residence on property
- Comes in a 2-pack
The Bad:
- Only covers 1200 square feet
- Features a blue power light which can be distracting
- Some customers complain of ineffectiveness regarding ants and spiders
Features:
- Successfully repels wasps as well as other stinging pests
- Works to hinder new pests from taking up residence on property
- Comes in a 2-pack
2. Patio Eden – Wasp Nest Decoy
An interesting approach to repelling wasps is setting up a decoy nest. This approach takes advantage of wasps’ natural territorial behavior.
The Patio Eden Wasp Decoy does a fantastic job of imitating what an actual wasp nest looks like. It measures 8×11 inches and comes in a pack of three.
It’s also worth noting that any existing nests should be destroyed prior to hanging a decoy wasp nest.
The Good:
- Comes in affordable pack of three
- Good track record of success with wasp removal
- Well constructed decoy nest
The Bad:
- Requires you to kill/remove existing nests
- Non-chemical approaches are hit/mess
Features:
- Uses both ultrasonic and electromagnetic technology to drive away wasps
- Operates in 3 different modes
- Light function shows which mode the device is in at all times
3. Hot Shot Wasp and Hornet Killer
Hot Shot Wasp and Hornet Killer sprays up to 27 feet so you can avoid being stung. This advanced formula is powerful enough to eliminate a nest with just one treatment.
This formidable spray for wasps is also effective for:
- Yellowjackets
- Mud daubers
- Cicada killers
Hot Shot Wasp and Hornet Killer are non-staining on most non-porous surfaces. So you can safely use it for outdoor areas around your home, and it provides up to six days of residual protection from reinfestation.
The Good:
- Provides quick knockdown of wasp nests
- Can be used for most stinging insects
- Non-staining formula
- Can shoot up to 27 feet for increased safety
The Bad:
- May not be strong enough to eradicate large nests
Features:
- Provides quick knockdown of wasp nests
- Can be used for most stinging insects
- Non-staining formula
4. PT Wasp Freeze II
Do not try to bring a wasp nest down with a broom or a water hose. It will only make them mad and cause unnecessary stings. Instead, use Wasp Freeze II.
The killing operation in this fast-acting formula will ensure complete eradication of the nest. There won’t be very many live wasps left after you use it. And any survivors will die within minutes.
PT Wasp Freeze also gives you a measure of safety that most other wasp brands don’t. It shoots up to 15 feet. That way, you can stand far away and not worry about being stung by angry bees.
The Good:
- Fast-acting ingredients kill bees and wasps on contact
- 15-foot spray distance protects user
- Works on several pest types
- Easy to use, just point and spray
The Bad:
- There are rare instances where aerosol cans ship defective
Features:
- Fast-acting ingredients kill bees and wasps on contact
- 15-foot spray distance protects user
- 5. Works on several pest types
5. Peppermint oil
If you need a solution for repelling wasps away from key areas outside of your home, you may want to consider peppermint oil. This certainly falls into a home remedy category but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work.
Some people will even mix dish soap and peppermint oil with some water and put it in a spray bottle and use it to apply to the areas that wasps seem to visit the most.
I cannot speak on behalf of the soap element, but Peppermint oil does work most of the time. The upsides for using peppermint are that there are no harsh chemicals involved, it breaks down over time, and it isn’t poisonous so there won’t be any collateral damage from this method.
Also, most people think that it smells nice. If you are not someone who likes the smell you may want to only use this outdoors as it is very potent.
I do recommend mixing this with water as a tablespoon of pure peppermint oil in two cups of water is still strong enough to do the job and it will make your supply last longer.
There are a couple of downsides to using this product, it may stain certain surfaces. There are reports that peppermint oil used on white surfaces can stain it orange. So use this with caution and use it on clean, dark surfaces or areas where no one will notice a stain.
Another solution is to soak a cotton ball and hang the cotton ball near the area where the wasps tend to congregate. The last downside is you are going to need to retreat the area every couple of days for about two weeks.
The Good:
- Peppermint Oil is eco-friendly and nontoxic.
- Can be used inside or outside.
- A little bit of this product goes a long way.
The Bad:
- Peppermint oil can stain the surface of what it is applied to.
Features:
- Peppermint Oil is eco-friendly and nontoxic.
- Can be used inside or outside.
- A little bit of this product goes a long way.
Why Do I Have Wasps At All?
Sometimes, knowing the best way to drive wasps off your property is understanding what brought them there in the first place.
By taking a few moments to learn about what lures wasps in, you’ll be able to better focus on how to take them out.
Are Wasps Attracted to Vinegar?
In 1998, a study was conducted by an entomologist from the USDA in the state of Washington which found that German yellow jackets (a related species to wasps) were attracted most strongly to a cocktail of fermented molasses and vinegar.
The vinegar itself wasn’t necessarily the key to the attraction, but rather the molasses. Most wasps drink nectar in the wild, and crave sugary substances whenever they’re on the hunt for a place to land.
Wasps and Wine
In fact, in studies conducted by the USDA in December 2014, wasps were shown to prefer wine over vinegar.
Think back to all those evenings on the terrace spent swatting wasps away from your crisp glass of Pinot Grigio. It makes a little more sense now that there’s some scientific backup, doesn’t it?
The sugary breakdown of wine makes it irresistible to wasps (not to mention fruit flies), and when they get a whiff, they feel the urge to dive right in.
Wasps and Water
There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer’s day than diving into the pool, right?
Wasps think so, too.
When the temperatures rise in summer, wasps (as well as hornets and bees) love to take sips from pools and ponds in order to hydrate. A lot of the time, they’ll lose their balance and fall in, which leaves them struggling for their lives until they inevitably drown after treading water for a few minutes.
Of course, the water itself will kill the wasps if they fall in, but the bigger problem to worry about here is that thirsty wasps are attracted to ponds, pools, and other large bodies of water. They will swarm around stagnant puddles or pools in order to gain fast access to a hydration source, so this is an ideal place to install a wasp repeller system.
Why Use Ultrasonic Devices to Repel Wasps?
If you’re trying to repel wasps, why shell out for an electronic device when you’ve got a can of good old bug spray in the medicine cabinet?
Keep reading to understand the benefits of substituting technology for a role chemicals used to play in our daily lives.
They Are Hassle-Free
An ultrasonic pest control device works the same way for pretty much every pest, ranging from wasps to mice:
The device is plugged into a power source and powered up, ready for use
An ultrasonic wave of energy is emitted, which begins to irritate the nervous systems of any pests residing in the coverage area
After about a week, the pests begin to feel more anxious, at which time the ultrasonic energy is increased
In around two weeks’ time, the anxiety becomes unbearable, and the pests retreat, leaving you with a pest-free property
All you have to do, essentially, is plug in the device and ensure to follow best practices when it comes to preventing new infestations in your yard and garden.
They’re Totally Non-Toxic
With an ultrasonic pest repeller, you and your family have zero interaction with pesticides or insecticides, period.
The devices work completely through ultrasonic energy, which means that you’re never handling chemicals in order to eradicate a pest. The machines don’t emit any sort of insecticides, dusts, or sprays, making them a recommended option for those with little ones, pets, or all of the above.
You Won’t Notice Them
Speaking of kids and pets–you probably need to find a solution to your pest problem that won’t bother your dog or your kids, right?
That’s the beauty of ultrasonic pest repellers: they’re super effective on the minute bodies of insects and vermin, irritating them to the point of misery. When it comes to larger bodies like cats, dogs, and humans, however, the energy from the devices is negligible (if noticeable at all).
It must be said, though, that ultrasonic pest repellers are NOT recommended for users with pet hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, and guinea pigs. Their bodies are within the target range and will probably become annoyed by the ultrasonic energy from the device.
Does Liquid Repellent Work Against Wasps?
In short, using a liquid repellent absolutely works to repel wasps.
However, our guide recommends ultrasonic repellers for a few different reasons.
Excellent product reviews from customers who have experienced success in eradicating wasps from their property
Flexibility of moving the devices from one area to another with no mess
Chemical-free approach to controlling a wasp infestation
Ability to take out numerous types of pests with just one device
In addition to all these reasons, many liquid repellents on the market today still contain DEET, a chemical developed by the United States Army to protect soldiers fighting in areas with high insect infestations during World War II.
