Summertime means most of the flowers are in full bloom, the bees are buzzing, and the wasps are out and about. Wasps come out from their nests to mate and build new ones. For many people, this also means that their mailbox becomes a target for these pesky insects.
Wasps nest in small, enclosed spaces. Mailboxes provide the perfect environment for wasps to build their nests and lay their eggs. This is a common problem that many homeowners face every summer. Not to mention that wasp stings can be painful and dangerous for some people.
There are a few simple solutions that you can try to keep wasps out of your mailbox, and most of them don’t require any special equipment or chemicals.
Solutions for a Wasp-Free Mailbox
Every day, you go to your mailbox to retrieve the day’s mail. But lately, there’s been an unwanted guest waiting for you: a wasp. Keeping them away can be a challenge, but it’s important to do so for both your safety and the wasp’s. Here are a few solutions to try:
1) Keep Your Mailbox Clean
Let’s admit it – most of the time, our mailboxes are often neglected and become a dumping ground for junk mail and other things we don’t need.
This provides the perfect opportunity for wasps to build their nests. So, one of the best ways to keep wasps out of your mailbox is to simply keep it clean.
Remove any old mail, newspapers, or anything else that’s been sitting in your mailbox for a while. Once you’ve cleared it out, give it a good wipe down with a disinfectant or soapy water. This will remove any traces of food or sweet smells that might attract wasps.
2) Trim Trees and Bushes Surrounding the Mailbox
It’s a known fact that wasps nest in bushes and trees, especially if there’s a hole or crack for them to get into. By trimming the bushes and trees around your mailbox, you’ll make it harder for wasps to build their nests nearby.
Be sure to wear long sleeves and pants when doing this to avoid being stung. You should also consider using pruning shears or loppers instead of a chainsaw to avoid making too much noise and disturbing the wasps.
If you can’t trim the bushes yourself, hire a professional to do it for you.
3) Brown Paper Bags
This might sound like an old wives’ tale, but it actually works. Wasps are attracted to the color brown because they think it’s a potential nesting site.
Hang a brown paper bag from your mailbox or place one inside of it. The wasps will think the bag is a potential nesting site and stay away from your mailbox. By making it appear that another wasp colony is already occupying the area, you can deter them from trying to build their own nest there.
However, take note that this method has been a topic of debate over the years. There’s no proven scientific explanation for this theory, but it’s worth giving it a shot!
4) Vinegar and Water Mixture
Vinegar and water have been a long-time natural remedy for many things, including wasps. The vinegar’s strong smell will deter the wasps from coming near your mailbox.
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz it around your mailbox and other areas where you’ve seen wasps. Be sure to do this early in the morning or at night when the wasps are less active.
You can also soak a rag in the mixture and wipe down your mailbox with it. Surprisingly, this method is just as effective as the spray bottle method.
5) Essential Oils Can Help Too
If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can try using essential oils instead. Clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, and geranium oil are all known to repel wasps.
Similar to what you’d do with your vinegar and water mixture, combine essential oils in your glass spray bottle. Give it a little shake and spray on areas around the mailbox, and other outdoor areas where you typically stay.
Alternatively, the real plants that these oils come from can also help keep wasps away. Planting clove, mint, eucalyptus, and lavender around your mailbox will not only make it smell nice but also help to repel wasps.
How to Keep Wasps Out of Mailbox: Final Thoughts
Getting rid of bees, wasps and other pollinators doesn’t necessarily mean you have to eliminate them completely. Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of effort to make your home less inviting to them. B
y following the tips above, you can keep wasps out of your mailbox and make sure they stay away for good.
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