Summer is synonymous with poolside fun, but nothing can spoil a relaxing swim faster than a swarm of wasps. Wasps are attracted to water sources, and your pool is no exception. While these insects play crucial roles in the ecosystem, having them around your pool can be dangerous and uncomfortable. Here are some effective strategies to keep wasps away from your pool and ensure a safe, enjoyable summer.

Understanding Wasp Behavior

Before implementing any deterrents, it’s important to understand why wasps are attracted to your pool. Wasps are drawn to water for drinking and cooling, and they are often attracted to the food and sugary drinks around pool areas. Knowing this can help you develop strategies that target their attraction points.

1. Provide an Alternative Water Source

One of the most effective ways to keep wasps away from your pool is to provide them with an alternative water source. Create a water station away from your pool area. Fill a shallow dish or bird bath with water and add some pebbles or marbles for the insects to land on safely. Refresh the water regularly to keep it clean and attractive to them.

2. Use Natural Repellents

Certain scents are known to repel wasps. Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and citronella can be effective in keeping these insects at bay. Mix a few drops of these oils with water and spray the mixture around your pool area. Not only will this deter wasps, but it will also give your pool area a pleasant aroma.

3. Plant Repelling Plants

Strategically planting repelling plants around your pool can help deter wasps naturally. Plants such as eucalyptus, mint, and citronella grass are known to keep these insects away. Creating a natural barrier with these plants can enhance the beauty of your pool area while keeping it insect-free.

4. Cover Your Pool When Not in Use

Wasps are less likely to be attracted to your pool if they can’t access the water. Use a pool cover when the pool is not in use. This simple step can significantly reduce the number of these insects visiting your pool.

5. Avoid Bright Colors and Strong Fragrances

Wasps are attracted to bright colors and strong floral scents. When spending time by the pool, avoid wearing brightly colored swimwear or using strongly scented lotions and perfumes. Opt for neutral colors and unscented products to minimize insect attraction.

6. Keep Food and Drinks Covered

If you enjoy eating or drinking by the pool, ensure that food and beverages are covered when not being consumed. Wasps are particularly attracted to sugary drinks and food, so keeping them sealed will reduce the chances of these insects being drawn to your pool area.

7. Use Wasp Deterrent Devices

There are various deterrent devices available that can help keep wasps away from your pool. Ultrasonic devices emit sounds that are unpleasant to these insects but inaudible to humans. Additionally, traps can be placed around the perimeter of your pool to catch and relocate them safely.

Stinging Insect Control

Keeping your outdoor space clean and setting traps may minimize your chances of a stinging insect problem, but this won’t fully resolve the problem. Additionally, handling a stinging insect situation on your own could lead to painful stings (or worse). We offer both wasp control for your peace of mind.

When your home or business is being invaded by wasps or other stinging insects, bring in the professionals from PURCOR. Contact us to request your free pest control quote today.

Summer is a time for outdoor fun, family gatherings, and enjoying the warm weather. However, it also brings the risk of wasps invading your home and yard. Wasps can be aggressive and their stings are painful. Here are some expert tips to help protect your home from wasps and ensure a safe and enjoyable summer.

Understanding Wasps

Wasps are beneficial insects in many ways, as they help control other pest populations and pollinate plants. However, they can become a nuisance when they build nests near human activity areas. Common wasp species that can be problematic include paper wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets. Understanding their behavior and nesting habits is the first step in preventing infestations.

Preventing Wasps from Nesting

Inspect and Seal Entry Points

Wasps often enter homes through small cracks and gaps. Regularly inspect your home for potential entry points, such as gaps in window screens, cracks in the walls, and openings around doors. Seal these areas with caulk or weatherstripping to prevent wasps from finding a way inside. You should even consider exclusion services like gutter protection to keep wasps from building nests inside your gutters increasing risk of them entering your home through builder gaps.

Remove Food Sources

Wasps are attracted to food and sugary substances. Keep your outdoor dining areas clean and promptly clean up any spills. Store garbage in tightly sealed containers and avoid leaving pet food outside. Additionally, keep ripe fruit picked from trees and bushes to reduce the attraction for wasps.

Regular Yard Maintenance

Maintaining your yard can significantly reduce the chances of wasps nesting near your home. Trim back overgrown vegetation and regularly mow your lawn to eliminate potential nesting sites. Remove any piles of debris, fallen branches, or unused items that could provide shelter for wasps.

Use Wasp-Repelling Plants

Certain plants can help deter wasps from settling in your yard. Plants such as mint, eucalyptus, citronella, and wormwood are known to repel wasps. Incorporate these plants into your garden or place potted versions around outdoor seating areas to create a natural barrier.

Handling Existing Nests

Identifying Nests

Wasps build nests in various locations, including under eaves, in attics, behind shutters, and in bushes or trees. Paper wasps construct umbrella-shaped nests, while yellowjackets and hornets create more enclosed, football-shaped nests. Identifying the type of nest can help determine the best removal method.

Safe Nest Removal

Removing a wasp nest can be dangerous and should be done with caution. It is often best to hire a professional pest control service, especially for large nests or those in difficult-to-reach areas. If you choose to remove a small nest yourself, do so in the early morning or late evening when wasps are less active. Wear protective clothing and use a wasp spray designed to kill on contact. Spray the nest thoroughly and repeat the process if necessary.

Preventing Re-infestation

After removing a nest, take steps to prevent wasps from returning. Clean the area where the nest was located with soap and water to remove any pheromones that could attract new wasps. Continue monitoring your home and yard for signs of new nests and act quickly to address any that appear.

Professional Wasp Control

When to Call a Professional

While DIY methods can be effective for small infestations, larger problems often require professional intervention. If you notice multiple nests, have a severe allergic reaction to wasp stings, or simply feel uncomfortable handling wasp removal, contact a pest control professional. They have the expertise and equipment to safely and effectively eliminate wasp problems.

Benefits of Professional Services

Professional pest control services like PURCOR Pest Solutions offer several advantages, including thorough inspections, targeted treatments, and long-term prevention strategies. They can identify and address potential nesting sites, use specialized products that are not available to the public, and provide ongoing monitoring to ensure wasps do not return.

Find out how to protect your home from summer wasps with these expert tips. Shop wasp control solutions online and stay safe! PURCOR uses an Integrated Pest Management approach, which means that pest control methods involve identifying and eliminating the cause of pest infestations, and only applying chemical treatments when necessary. Our products are applied in a way that keeps your family, pets, and the environment in mind, so you don’t have to worry. Plus, our quarterly services are guaranteed to keep away the pests causing you stress, otherwise we’ll come back for a free retreatment. Save yourself the trouble of wondering how to DIY pest control safely and get professional assistance you can trust with PURCOR Pest Solutions.

If your home or business has been invaded by one or more common pests, don’t fight back alone. Send in the pros at PURCOR Pest Control to take care of your wasp or other pest problem once and for all. Give us a call or buy online to get started today! Find a service area near you today to find a team of professionals to help.

If you’ve been stung by a wasp, you know just how painful their stings can be. As summer begins to unfold, the risk of getting stung by a wasp is higher. Wasps are constantly on the lookout for food and water, as well as expanding their nests as more and more wasps are hatched. Understanding wasp behavior is crucial to avoid unnecessary stings.

Why Wasps Sting

When wasps emerge during spring and early summer, they’re busy building a bigger nest, feeding their queen so she can lay more eggs, and foraging for the necessary food to support their colony. Anything that interferes with these tasks can be perceived as a threat, including a human’s proximity to their nest. Wasps are an aggressive order of insects, and more inclined to attack than most bees. Wasps are also predators in a way that most bees are not, and are also carnivorous. This is why they hang around barbecues and picnics.

The most common types of wasp we see are paper wasps, yellowjackets, and bald-faced hornets. The bald faced hornet is also the most aggressive. In late summer, wasps become much more aggressive foragers, because their nests are at high capacity, and resources are quickly becoming scarce. This aggressiveness, combined with outdoor food availability from human activity, can make the likelihood of wasp stings much higher. Wasps will sting if any threat is perceived, which can be as simple as a human walking by their nest or swatting a wasp away while walking.

How to Avoid a Wasp Sting

If a wasp flies near you, we have one critical tip: don’t swat! When wasps sense danger, or when their body is threatened (squished or pinched, for instance), they release a pheromone that will stimulate aggression in other wasps. The release of this hormone signals danger, and if other wasps are nearby, they’ll come to attack as well. Wasps can sting more than once, so swatting or squishing a wasp can bring some serious consequences.

Wasp Sting Treatment

Immediately after being stung, wash the area with soap and water to remove as much venom as possible. Apply a cold compress to the wound site; this can help to numb the pain and reduce inflammation. Keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection. You can cover the sting site with a bandage if you desire.

Preventing Wasp Stings

Prevention is a great way to cut down on your likelihood of being stung by a wasp around your home. Scan around your front and back yard and:

• Inspect for nests under eaves, soffits, and porches
• Cover any open trash cans
• Put away pet food
• Remove any sweet items
• Eliminate any left out food

If you’re worried about a wasp nest near or around your property, give PURCOR a call. We’d be happy to remove the nest safely and quickly!