Say Goodbye To Wasps: The One Thing You Must Keep Out Of Your Yard

Like every other creature on our beautiful planet, wasps do contribute to our ecosystem, but that doesn't make them any less annoying. And unlike other pests like spiders or slugs, some species of wasps are actively aggressive towards humans. There are many different types of common wasps, and it seems that varieties such as yellow jackets and paper wasps dislike us as much as we dislike them. Unlike bees, wasps have very painful stings that they can deliver multiple times. You risk getting stung every time you have to remove a wasp nest from your yard, so to avoid a very uncomfortable fate, it's best to prevent wasps from coming around your house in the first place. The quickest way to say goodbye to wasps is to remove anything that attracts them to your yard. This includes pet food.

Wasps will eat just about anything, even your pet's kibble. You may not actually see the wasps digging in, but the aroma can be enough to attract them to build a nest near wherever you store the pet food. Ideally, dry pet food should be kept sealed and indoors, not just to prevent wasps from coming near it, but also to keep it from spoiling. If you do have to store your pet's food in a garage or shed, be sure to protect it from pests like wasps by keeping it in a tightly sealed container. You should also regularly clean around the area to make sure no rogue pieces are acting as wasp bait.

In cases where you're already dealing with an active wasp nest, you may notice particularly aggressive wasps start to swarm while you're feeding your pet. Wasps are opportunistic feeders, and while they do enjoy sweets like nectar, sugary drinks, and sap, they also need protein, particularly for feeding their young. Wasps will sniff out sources of protein and carbohydrates. In nature, that looks like unfortunate insects and even carrion, but if given the chance, they'll also scavenge your pet's food bowl.

For a small bug, a crumb of pet food can be a feast, so you should bring any outdoor food bowls inside after mealtime. Wasp nests are best removed immediately, but in the meantime, you can protect yourself and your furry friend from the flying fiends by keeping any garbage cans or compost bins away from where you typically serve the pet food. You can also spray scents that wasps don't like such as clove and lavender, hang up a fake nest that will intimidate the bugs away from your feeding area, or add a few stunning plants that will help keep wasps out of your yard.

With all this focus on your pet's food, you shouldn't forget about their water bowl either. Wasps will also congregate around standing water, so bird baths, puddles, and your pet's outside water bowl should be moved while you deal with the insects. Of course, if you have livestock or a bunch of koi fish this may not be practical. That's why you should focus on the various other ways to prevent wasps from building nests near your home, and take measures to remove any nests as soon as possible. It may be scary, but at least you'll have your pet for moral support.