How To Keep Wasps Out Of Patio Umbrella(2023) – 8 Ways

How to keep wasps out of patio umbrella? Are you exhausted from sharing your patio umbrella with those buzzing, stinging wasps? You’re not alone!

In this guide, we’ll show you how to keep those pesky creatures away from your patio umbrella so that you can spend your time without worrying about them.

Wasps can turn a lovely daytime into a real buzzkill in just no time. Furthermore, they’re not only irritating but can also sting if they feel threatened. Which is why, it becomes even more important to learn how to keep them away from your patio.

Here, we’ll also talk about finding their hiding spots and what you can do to stop them from returning, so read the guide till the end.

Why Do Wasps Love Your Patio Umbrellas?

Have you ever thought why those creepy wasps choose your patio umbrella as their home sweet home? It’s a common question of many patio umbrella owners. However, its answer lies in the wasp’s nature.

Wasps require a secure place to make their nests and grow their young, like any other creature out there. Your umbrella provides them with the perfect spot. It’s cozy, sheltered, and high above the ground, which keeps their nest safe from various predators like dragonflies, centipedes, hoverflies, beetles, spiders, and many more.

Plus, wasps are attracted to places where they can find food quickly and easily. If you’ve ever enjoyed a meal under your umbrella, that’s like a neon signal asking them to join.

Wasps are one of those curious creatures who are always searching for sugary joys and protein-rich snacks – just what our outdoor meal offers.

Furthermore, these wasps are territorial. When they find a suitable spot to live, they don’t want to share it with anyone. So, if they’ve set up base in your umbrella once, they’ll keep returning and make it their go-to nesting point.

Is Wasps In Your Patio Umbrella a Problem?

Yes, wasps in your patio umbrella are really a problem. Even a single wasp is dangerous. Wasps can be annoying and even unsafe for various reasons mentioned below:

Firstly, wasp stings hurt too bad. When a wasp feels threatened, it can sting, and their stings are very painful. For some people who are allergic, these stings can even lead to severe health problems.

Secondly, wasps can be very stubborn. Once they declare your umbrella is their new home, they’re not likely to leave it so easily. This means you might have unwanted guests buzzing around every time you come out to enjoy your patio area.

Thirdly, wasps are attracted to food, more specifically sugary things. If you’re having a picnic under your umbrella, they will likely join in and make your lunchtime stressful.

Lastly, but more importantly, wasps can be a safety hazard. If you have children or pets, a wasp sting can be unbearable for them. Which can even lead to more severe health issues later. Plus, the panic caused by wasps can lead to accidents.

How To Keep Wasps Out of Patio Umbrella – 8 Tips

1. Clean the Umbrella Regularly

Cleaning the patio umbrella regularly is a simple but really powerful way to keep wasps away. You see, wasps become like Sherlock when they come to find food. Even small traces of spilled drinks, leftover food crumbs, or sticky spots can attract them easily.

So, what can you do? Just clean your patio umbrella regularly. When you’re finished eating or spending time out, take some time to wipe down the umbrella’s surface with a damp cloth. Furthermore, always pay special attention to the folds and crevices where pieces of food and sugary residues might be hidden.

A bucket of soapy water and a soft cloth can do the job for you. Scrub any debris or stains away, then rinse it with clean water and let it dry. This move will not only remove the tempting food sources but also eliminate the odors that can attract wasps back to your relaxing space.

Remember, a clean umbrella isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an environment that wasps find dull. So, make it a habit to tidy up, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying your personal space without those uninvited visitors.

2. Cover Your Food

Covering the food properly is a handy trick to keep wasps away from your patio meals. Wasps are constantly searching for delicious snacks, especially when you’re enjoying a meal under the patio umbrella.

Here’s how food coverings can help:

Whether it’s a picnic or a barbecue, covering your favourite food is like putting protection around your meal when you’re eating out of your home. You can use various covers, like food nets or cloths, to protect your dishes.

These covers act as barriers and make it hard for wasps to get your meals. Wasps could be better at guiding through barriers, so they’re less likely to land on your plate when it’s thoroughly covered.

Covering the food also stops those food smells from floating through the air, which can, again, attract wasps from afar. It’s a pretty simple but effective way to enjoy your peaceful meals.

3. Citronella Candles

Citronella candles are like mystical securities against wasps. These unique candles don’t just give off a pleasant, lemony scent, but they also keep wasps away from your patio.

Wasps don’t like the smell of citronella. When you light these candles and place them near your patio, the scent creates a protective bubble, which wasps and other pesky insects are more likely to avoid.

So, why do citronella candles work so well? The secret is in the citronella oil, which we get from lemongrass. It acts as a natural repellent that complicates and repulses the wasps.

You can find these candles in many shapes and sizes, including pretty lanterns. These candles not only make your private area smell fresh but also add a relaxing glare to your nights.

4. Wasp Traps Can Help

Wasp traps are some clever traps that tend to attract wasps away from your outdoor joy. These handy devices use some tricks to attract wasps and then keep them trapped until the user wants them.

There’s usually a special bait that wasps find compelling. It might mimic the scent of sweet things or a potential nest site. When the wasps follow their noses (or antennae) to the trap, they can’t go back.

Wasp traps come in various designs. Some look like hanging bags, while others resemble containers with a top that has small holes. Its simple idea is to make it easy for wasps to enter but hard to escape.

You can find these traps in online stores or even make your own using sweet liquids like soda or fruit juice. You want to make sure to place them a bit away from you sitting area so the wasps are drawn away from your patio.

5. Use Repellent Plants

Repellent plants are special plants that have a hidden power: they can help keep wasps away.

Wasps typically have a strong sense of smell, and some scents irritate them. Repellent plants release odors that wasps find unpleasant. Mint, basil, and lavender are three of these hero plants that you can consider to get rid of these pesky creatures.

When you plant them near your patio, they create a defensive wall. Wasps are less likely to come close because they don’t like the smell of these plants.

Furthermore, growing these plants is very easy. You don’t need to be a gardening expert for them to grow. They usually grow in pots or in the ground, and they can add a lovely touch of green and fragrance to your patio environment.

More importantly, these plants aren’t just ideal for holding wasps away; they also have other benefits. Mint and basil can be used in cooking, and lavender has a calming fragrance.

6. Make Peppermint Oil Spray

Still reading this how to keep wasps out of patio umbrella guide? Check out this one of the best tricks for that.

You can consider it as a natural wasp repellent that can also be prepared at home. Wasps don’t like the strong, minty scent of peppermint, which makes this spray an effective way to keep them away from your patio umbrella.

In order to prepare this spray, all you need is water and a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Mix them together in a spray bottle, and you’ve got yourself a handy wasp deterrent.

Once you have your peppermint oil spray ready, simply spray it around your patio umbrella. Try to cover spots where wasps like to hang out(or where to see wasps the most), such as near food or sweet drinks. Peppermint scent confuses and repels the wasps and makes them less likely to visit again.

The best part is that peppermint oil spray is natural and safe for you, your family, and the environment. Plus, it won’t harm the wasps; it just enables them to find another place to live.

7. Buy Ultrasonic Repellents

Ultrasonic Repellent devices use high-pitched sounds that humans can’t hear but push wasps and other creatures, including bats, away.

The idea behind ultrasonic repellents is pretty straightforward: These tools emit sounds at a frequency that annoys and confuses the wasps. These sounds disrupt their communication and navigation and make them uncomfortable. As a result of which, wasps drive away from your patio umbrella.

Using ultrasonic repellents is not rocket science; it’s just a piece of cake. You just have to plug them into an electrical outlet, and they will do the rest of the work on their own.

However, it’s essential to note that the effectiveness of ultrasonic repellents can vary. They work better in smaller and enclosed spaces where the sound waves can bounce off walls. On the other hand, outdoors and in other open areas, their effect might be restricted. Still, it’s worth trying them once.

In case you’re dealing with too many wasp problems, ultrasonic repellents can be part of your overall strategy to kick them out.

You can combine them with other methods like cleaning, food coverings, and repellent plants for the best results.

8. Get Professional Help:

If you’re still unable to kick wasps out of your patio umbrella even after performing all the methods mentioned above, in that case, you should look forward to getting professional help to get this work done.

Sometimes, even after making the best efforts, wasps can be persistent and even build nests around your patio umbrella. That’s when it’s time to bring the professionals into the game.

These pest control experts have known wasps for ages, and they carry special tools and safe methods to remove wasp nests and colonies without harming you or the environment.

When you hire experts, they first inspect your area to find the wasp nests. Then, they go through the right treatments to get rid of them, which may involve using specialized sprays or traps.

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