Unlike some critters, wasps are one pest that alerts you of their presence pretty quickly. Yellowjackets, hornets, and paper wasps are all native to the West Palm Beach area, and while most wasp stings aren’t life-threatening, the excruciating pain can last for hours. And for anyone allergic to wasp stings, one encounter is all it takes to warrant a trip to the hospital.
Disturbing a wasp or hornet’s nest can have dire consequences, so if you discover a wasp problem on your property, you don’t want to leave it untreated. The best approach to wasp control is a proactive one – here’s what you should know about controlling wasp issues in West Palm Beach.
What Attracts Wasps To Your West Palm Beach, Florida Property
While wasp nests may seem random, these stinging insects pick their homes carefully – and several factors can attract them to your Florida property, such as:
- Leftover Food: If you’ve got leftover food lying around, especially leftover meat, you could be luring wasps to your home during the spring and summer seasons. Wasps are attracted to protein-based foods, so they may target your property if you’ve left scraps in your open garbage bin from a BBQ.
- Sugary Foods: Besides meat, wasps also like sugary foods, especially when it comes time to hibernate during the fall and winter. You may notice swarms of wasps lurking around your fruit trees or other sweets you’ve left around.
- Flowering Plants: Another food source for wasps is nectar, which they obtain from flowers. They may be drawn to your property if you’ve got a blossoming garden or even if you’re just wearing a flowery fragrance.
- Cracks and Crevices: If your property is full of weathered wood or open cracks and crevices, wasps are frequently on the lookout for a safe haven to build their nests in. Ceilings, overhangs, and eaves are also an attraction for wasps to take refuge in.
Besides sugary sweets and meats, wasps will never turn down a good supply of insects – if your property already has an existing pest problem, you could be luring in wasps.
How To Discourage Wasps From Your West Palm Beach, Florida Property
While it’s natural for wasps to make the occasional appearance in your yard (or even your home), it becomes a problem when they’re building nests on your property. Here are a few steps you can take to discourage wasps from making your property into their own:
- Don’t leave open sources of food or sugary drinks around your property, and keep garbage cans closed and sealed.
- Repair broken siding or panels around your property and home to ensure wasps don’t make their nests there.
- Fill in any holes on your property as wasps may use holes as a burrow for their nests.
- Remove nectar or bird food that may be drawing wasps to your yard.
- Use natural wasp-repellent plants like spearmint, eucalyptus, and wormwood around your property.
- Buy a decoy wasp nest to deter other wasps from building their nest on your property by making them think another hive has already made it their home.
Contact Empire Pest Defense Today
While the tips above can go a long way in discouraging wasps from your property, they may not do much if you’ve got an existing yellowjacket, hornet, or wasp nest near your home. Trying to remove the hive yourself can be extremely dangerous, and you’re better off leaving it to the professionals – like those of us at Empire Pest Defense.
If you’ve got a wasp problem on your hands, contact Empire Pest Defense today for more assistance or advice.