Wasps won't come near you in garden with this 22p natural repellent
If you're planning to soak up the sunshine outside you need to follow this hack which will keep wasps at bay
With high temperatures becoming the norm this month, the temptation to spend time in the garden, either relaxing or dining al-fresco, is great. Weekend forecasts for Scotland are looking positive and many will be planning to spend time off from work outdoors enjoying the sunshine while it's here.
The only downside to the hot weather is the appearance of wasps. Their season began in April and this year's prolonged warm weather has seen them become a familiar nuisance. They are particularly annoying when you're sat outside and they begin buzzing around you.
While a painful sting is annoying for most and will reduce your enjoyment of being outdoors, for some people with allergies, a wasp sting can cause life-threatening anaphylaxis.
There's also the risk of infestation. If wasps decide to build a nest in your home or garden, their numbers can multiply rapidly and removal by pest control professionals can cost as much as £200.
So keeping them at bay is key to being able to enjoy sitting in the garden. But how?
The solution, according to experts, is a 22 pence kitchen staple.
Josh Novell, garden expert at Polhill Garden Centre said: 'Garlic is a surprisingly effective wasp repellent.
'Its strong smell overwhelms a wasp's senses and naturally drives them away. It's safe, cheap, and easy to use.'
Three ways to use garlic to repel wasps
'Place minced garlic in a small bowl near outdoor seating or food.'
'Fill a spray bottle with water and 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Then shake well, and spray around patios, doors, and bins.'
'Or, consider growing garlic in garden beds or containers.'
Many people's first instinct is to set out a jar of jam or sugary water to lure wasps, but Josh warns this can actually make things worse.
'Sweet traps can attract wasps from neighbouring areas, increasing activity rather than reducing it,' he explained. 'You're unintentionally drawing them in.'
There are other natural, low-cost ways to keep wasps away. One makes use of a common scrap many will have.
Josh said: 'Burning coffee grounds is a great wasp deterrent. Just place some dry grounds in a heatproof bowl and light them like incense.'
'Fresh mint or peppermint oil can also work really well. Wasps hate the scent, so place a few mint sprigs on the table or dab peppermint oil around doorframes.'
'And of course, always clean up spills and cover food and drink when eating outside. Even a half-empty glass can quickly draw them in.'
The garlic hack comes as gardeners were urged to plant a £1.08 herb to deter Asian hornets from your gardens and homes.
The invasive species were accidentally introduced to the UK in 2016 and decimate bee populations.
Planting mint in the garden or in pots in your house is a known deterrent for these hornets.
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Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Daily Record
Wasps won't come near you in garden with this 22p natural repellent
If you're planning to soak up the sunshine outside you need to follow this hack which will keep wasps at bay With high temperatures becoming the norm this month, the temptation to spend time in the garden, either relaxing or dining al-fresco, is great. Weekend forecasts for Scotland are looking positive and many will be planning to spend time off from work outdoors enjoying the sunshine while it's here. The only downside to the hot weather is the appearance of wasps. Their season began in April and this year's prolonged warm weather has seen them become a familiar nuisance. They are particularly annoying when you're sat outside and they begin buzzing around you. While a painful sting is annoying for most and will reduce your enjoyment of being outdoors, for some people with allergies, a wasp sting can cause life-threatening anaphylaxis. There's also the risk of infestation. If wasps decide to build a nest in your home or garden, their numbers can multiply rapidly and removal by pest control professionals can cost as much as £200. So keeping them at bay is key to being able to enjoy sitting in the garden. But how? The solution, according to experts, is a 22 pence kitchen staple. Josh Novell, garden expert at Polhill Garden Centre said: 'Garlic is a surprisingly effective wasp repellent. 'Its strong smell overwhelms a wasp's senses and naturally drives them away. It's safe, cheap, and easy to use.' Three ways to use garlic to repel wasps 'Place minced garlic in a small bowl near outdoor seating or food.' 'Fill a spray bottle with water and 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Then shake well, and spray around patios, doors, and bins.' 'Or, consider growing garlic in garden beds or containers.' Many people's first instinct is to set out a jar of jam or sugary water to lure wasps, but Josh warns this can actually make things worse. 'Sweet traps can attract wasps from neighbouring areas, increasing activity rather than reducing it,' he explained. 'You're unintentionally drawing them in.' There are other natural, low-cost ways to keep wasps away. One makes use of a common scrap many will have. Josh said: 'Burning coffee grounds is a great wasp deterrent. Just place some dry grounds in a heatproof bowl and light them like incense.' 'Fresh mint or peppermint oil can also work really well. Wasps hate the scent, so place a few mint sprigs on the table or dab peppermint oil around doorframes.' 'And of course, always clean up spills and cover food and drink when eating outside. Even a half-empty glass can quickly draw them in.' The garlic hack comes as gardeners were urged to plant a £1.08 herb to deter Asian hornets from your gardens and homes. The invasive species were accidentally introduced to the UK in 2016 and decimate bee populations. Planting mint in the garden or in pots in your house is a known deterrent for these hornets.
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The 22p Tesco buy to stop wasps from coming inside your house this summer – and why to steer clear of ‘sweet traps'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE'RE having an unseasonably warm May. So much so, millions of Brits have been warned they face a potential drought after some areas experienced the driest start to a year for nearly a century. 2 Along with the lovely weather comes a familiar nuisance: wasps Credit: Getty Mercury rising means that we sun-loving Brits will be spending as much time soaking up the weather as possible. From al fresco dining and getting the paddling pool inflated, to simply having the backdoor open for 12 hours a day, we all have our preferences. But along with the lovely weather comes a familiar nuisance: wasps. These flying critters are the last thing anyone wants crashing their BBQ or garden shenanigans. Wasp season began in April, and this year's uncharacteristically warm spring has created perfect conditions for them to thrive. Painful stings can quickly ruin a sunny afternoon, and for those with allergies can even trigger life-threatening anaphylaxis. There's also the risk of infestation. If wasps decide to build a nest in your home or garden, their numbers can multiply rapidly and removal by pest control professionals can cost as much as £200. You don't need to suffer, though. There's a simple, natural solution that could cost as little as 22p sitting in your kitchen that'll send wasps packing, according to garden expert at Polhill Garden Centre, Josh Novell. 'Garlic is a surprisingly effective wasp repellent,' he says. 'Its strong smell overwhelms a wasp's senses and naturally drives them away. 'It's safe, cheap, and easy to use.' How to use garlic to repel wasps 2 The strong smell of garlic overwhelms a wasp's senses and naturally drives them away Credit: Getty 'Place minced garlic in a small bowl near outdoor seating or food,' Josh recommends. Or, you can fill a spray bottle with water and two teaspoons of garlic powder, and then spray it around patios, doors and bins. The garlic odour will linger and deter wasps. Josh's other nugget of advice was to consider growing garlic in garden beds or containers - it's a win-win for repelling wasps and ensuring you're always stocked up on the culinary essential. Many people's first instinct is to set out a jar of jam or sugary water to lure wasps, but Josh warns this can actually make things worse. 'Sweet traps can attract wasps from neighbouring areas, increasing activity rather than reducing it,' he says. 'You're unintentionally drawing them in.'
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Keep wasps away from you and your garden by using this 22p kitchen item
Keep wasps away from you and your garden by using this 22p kitchen item You probably have the kitchen item already in your cupboards as experts say 'they don't like the smell' Using jam or honey could make things worse, Josh says (Image: Getty ) With temperatures staying high across the UK, many Brits are spending more time outside, with plans to enjoy the warm weather this weekend. But along with the balmy conditions come a familiar nuisance - wasps. These insects are the last thing anyone wants swarming around their BBQ or picnic. According to the Met Office, Friday (May 16) will be another sunny day with highs of 22C. "Feeling warm in the light winds and strong sunshine with high UV levels," it adds. The weekend is set to be warm and sunny, too. Wasp season began in April, and this year's prolonged warm weather has created perfect conditions for them to thrive . Painful stings can quickly ruin a sunny afternoon, and for those with allergies, they can even trigger life-threatening anaphylaxis. There's also the risk of infestation. If wasps decide to build a nest in your home or garden, their numbers can multiply rapidly, and removal by pest control professionals can cost as much as £200 . However, Josh Novell, garden specialist at Polhill Garden Centre, says there's a simple, natural solution that could cost as little as 22p, and it's probably already in your kitchen. You can get a four-pack of garlic at Aldi for 89p, which breaks down to 22p per one. Garlic cloves are good at repelling wasps (Image: Getty ) Article continues below "Garlic is a surprisingly effective wasp repellent," explains Josh. "Its strong smell overwhelms a wasp's senses and naturally drives them away. It's safe, cheap, and easy to use." According to pest control company Eliminate, wasps indeed do not like the smell of garlic. The organisation says: "You can plant garlic around your home and garden to help repel wasps. You can also crush garlic cloves and place them in areas where wasps are likely to be." If you want to add garlic plants to your garden, start by separating a garlic bulb into its individual cloves while leaving the papery skins on. Position each clove with the pointed end facing upwards and the flat end downwards, planting them 2.5-5 cm deep and spaced 15-20 cm apart. Choose well-draining soil and aim to plant in late autumn or early spring, based on your local climate. Three ways to use garlic to repel wasps Josh suggests: "Place minced garlic in a small bowl near outdoor seating or food." He adds: "Fill a spray bottle with water and 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Then shake well, and spray around patios, doors, and bins.' "Or, consider growing garlic in garden beds or containers," he also recommends. Many people's first instinct is to set out a jar of jam or sugary water to lure wasps, but Josh warns this can actually make things worse. "Sweet traps can attract wasps from neighbouring areas, increasing activity rather than reducing it," he explains. "You're unintentionally drawing them in." A wasp sting can be painful Other natural, low-cost ways to keep wasps away Josh says: "Burning coffee grounds is a great wasp deterrent. Just place some dry grounds in a heatproof bowl and light them like incense. Fresh mint or peppermint oil can also work really well. "Wasps hate the scent, so place a few mint sprigs on the table or dab peppermint oil around doorframes. And of course, always clean up spills and cover food and drink when eating outside. Even a half-empty glass can quickly draw them in." Why keep wasps away? While many people view wasps unfavourably because of their painful stings and aggressive behaviour, as well as their habit of building nests close to human habitats, they serve an important purpose in our ecosystem by aiding in pollination and controlling pests. Article continues below If you've been stung by a wasp, to alleviate the pain, start by removing the stinger if it's still in place. Clean the area with soap and water, then use a cold compress or ice pack to help minimise swelling. If you can, elevate the affected area and consider taking some over-the-counter pain relievers or antihistamines to ease itching.
