Wasps, neighbors and our yard

[tracymom1]

Not sure where to put this one - please move if needed.

We are urban dwellers and our very close (like within 3 feet of our building) neighbors have 2 wasp nests under their gutters/up in their roof. We have a variety of beautiful flowers and a small swimming pool in our yard that they are outrageously attracted to. This is a very small space and I am getting worried about the amount of wasps that have invaded our yard.

I was just sitting out in the yard and a swarm of them were out their with me. Normally I would not mind but my 2yo is very nervous around them (I think because they are soooo big) and the baby keeps trying to grab at them

Is there anything I can do to make my yard a bit less attractive to them? My neighbor knows the nests are there and keeps saying she will do something about it but never does. I don't think they have the money for someone to come out and get rid of it.

Is there anything natural that will repel them?
Thanks!

[ivymae]

Are you in a position to pay someone to come take care of them? If so, I would offer and be done with it. If not, I would put up as many wasp catchers as you can afford (you can also make your own out of soda bottles). I've heard wasps don't like babypowder, but dn't use it so I've never tested it.

[FarmerCathy]

I agree. I would put some wasp catchers up. I think its a pretty easy do yourself thing. Hope you are able to deal with them soon, I really don't like wasps, I've been bitten too many times.

[kittywitty]

I guess I'm on the other end of this. We welcome in wasps because they're beneficial. My kids have learned not to be scared of them and even put out water for them. They haven't been stung once. I just tell them to leave them alone and not to swat at them.

I don't know of anything not extremely toxic that repels them.

[tracymom1]

Originally Posted by kittywitty

I guess I'm on the other end of this. We welcome in wasps because they're beneficial. My kids have learned not to be scared of them and even put out water for them. They haven't been stung once. I just tell them to leave them alone and not to swat at them.

Unfortunately, the 1 year old does not have the impulse control needed to leave them alone and she is constantly trying to get them. And there are A LOT of them to be gotten...

This is a really big infestation - if it were tolerable, I would not ever think of trying to get rid of them. We are going to talk to the neighbors and see if we can possibly help out with the cost of nest removal. I don't want to take it upon ourselves to pay for the whole thing and I certainly do not want to be responsible for her property (she is totally the type to sue me if something goes wrong) but maybe if we offer to help with the cost she will do something about it.

[annekevdbroek]

Well, wasps fall into my non-toxic exception rule. They can be aggressive. I got cellulitus from a wasp sting and seem to have very bad reactions to their stings (e.g. whole limb swells up). You can get wasp killer spray that shoots 12'. You spray it at dusk when the bugs are less likely to be active. It is highly effective and I would imagine you could do it from your yard into theirs. A can will cost maybe $5. No need to pay someone to come out and do it.

The problem with wasp traps is that they are designed to attract wasps, which you do not want to do.

[mattemma04]

I would spray them from your yard.I have used the foam stuff that sprays far.This year I had on hand some ortho home defense with bifen in it.That stuff is a quick knock down.It is the same as the stuff used by a bug company I hired to remove a hornet nest in the kids plastic play house.Does not spray as far as the foam,but it worked well enough for me to use it on the wasps in nesting inside my grill.

The neighbor knows and it does not affect them enough to care.Spray at night and in the am hopefully they will be dead.If not spray again.
No need to keep at the neighbor or keep waiting while you worry for yourself and the kids.


I too allow wasps in the yard as long as they are not nesting in places that put my family at risk.

Good luck with the neighbor whatever you decide.Lol,she would proabably sue if the spray damages her siding.Pest company sprayed the huge playhouse nest 1 time and they were dead in minutes.Cost about $70.