If Wasps Are Swarming Your Porch, This Could Be Why

A porch can be a quiet outdoor escape. A spot you drift to after a long day, sinking into a soft chair to admire your beautiful plants. But some things can ruin this peaceful experience. For instance, when you start hearing the buzz of wings all around your head. One wasp. Then another. And all of a sudden, they are swarming the place. But what is bringing these wasps to your porch? Well, three things mainly. Shelter, food, and water. Just like all bugs, wasps need these things, too, and if your porch provides them, wasps will become frequent visitors. Unless you fix the issues that are bringing wasps to your porch, they won't go away. No matter how much you shoo them, they will always come back.

So, how exactly does a porch provide shelter, food, and water to wasps? Porches are often full of corners and sheltered spots where wasps can easily build their nests away from strong winds, rain, direct sun, and predators. In many cases, this alone is enough to bring them in. However, if you don't see any nests and still see wasps hovering around your porch, they must be there for water and food. Crumbs from snacks, sticky drink spills, pet food, overflowing trash, or standing water can all turn your porch into a surprisingly attractive stop for hungry, thirsty wasps.

The good news is that it's easy to make your porch less welcoming to wasps, starting with food. Whenever you eat or drink on your porch, make sure to clean up after yourself, and this goes for pet food as well. Do not let pet food bowls sit out on the porch for long periods or use containers with lids so even if wasps do come around, they cannot get to the food. 

The same goes for trash bins as well. If you keep a trash can near or on your porch, make sure it has a tight-fitting lid, as a half-open bin is basically a flashing sign that says "free buffet" to wasps and other bugs. Besides food, there is water, too. Wasps are especially drawn to standing water during hot weather, so make sure to check hanging baskets, planters, flowerpots, buckets, and plant trays where water tends to collect. Empty them often and improve drainage where needed. 

And while you are looking at your plants, keep an eye out for pests too. If they have aphids, wasps will come. That is because aphids produce honeydew, a sweet substance that wasps love. Likewise, check if there are any spiders or webs on your porch. Wasps feed them to their young, so make sure you get rid of spiders from your porch as well. 

Another great way to keep wasps out of the porch is to display wasp-repelling plants. There are many stunning plants that can help keep wasps out. Some notable examples include peppermint, lemongrass, and lavender. Just keep in mind that plants alone will not repel wasps entirely. To make a real difference, you will need to combine several methods. For instance, you can also use a fake wasp nest. Some types of wasps are territorial, so if they see a wasp nest on your porch, they will be less likely to hang around.

It is also worth noting that some wasps don't build nests at all. Instead, they just make homes in tiny cracks or holes. So, if you see any holes, cracks, or cavities in your porch, seal them as well. But what if wasps have already settled in your porch or built a nest? Wasps are aggressive insects and, if they feel threatened, they will attack. It's best to avoid removing a wasp nest yourself and instead call in a professional. This should also ensure that the nest is fully removed and prevent the colony from rebuilding.