If you find a nest or want to keep them away from you while eating outside, try placing a 2 litre bottle a quarter full of ginger beer with the lid off in a nearby location. They will be attracted to the sugar in the drink and will investigate, and some will drown.
If you notice wasps settling somewhere, try a wasp killer based on bendiocarb (not on pyrethrum). Wasps will get this powder on themselves and take it back to the queen. Once she dies, the whole of the nest will also die soon afterwards.
Plants that act as wasp repellants
- Wormwood, also called Artemisia, is a boxy shrub that was used as a medicine until people found out that it was poisonous. It can grow in full sun or partial shade. However, it contains a natural form of absinthe (an intoxicating and poisonous substance) which is water-soluble and can wash off the leaves in dew or rain, killing small surrounding plants and flowers. This plant can also make humans sick if it is ingested.
- Mint and mint oil both repel wasps. Mint is ideal for this because it not only looks nice and smells pleasant, but it is also used in cooking. However, mint will take over your entire garden if you let it, so either keep it in pots or prune it back often. Mint likes sunshine but will grow in almost any environment.
Various sources
