Wasp Free Summers

I hate bugs. I really do. When we moved to our home there were a couple of corners where there were small wasp nests... edges of the unused garage door, under the eaves, beside the porch. All creatures have to live somewhere and we humans have to share space, but I prefer if it's not wasps on my house. My spouse graciously took down the nests.

A natural nest - photo from pixabay.com

I've used wasp traps before and they are okay, but it's 'icky' and I'm killing them. I decided to keep them away using a very easy, natural solution which is chemical free, environmentally friendly, and does not harm the wasps. It uses wasp psychology: I simply set up my house as an 'occupied territory'.

Many species of wasps (yellow jackets, hornets etc) are territorial and won't build nest within at least 100 feet of another nest. If there is an existing wasp nest, they will simply leave the area. I bought a dollar-store paper-lantern looking wasp nest to hang and with the 100-200ft radius, that's my whole yard! Two years and no wasp nests... I don't even think about it.

Even easier, you can make your own for free from a simple paper bag and a little string. Poke two holes in the bottom of the paper bag and create a string loop to hang it from. Fill the paper bag with crumpled balls of newspaper to keep it's shape and then twist the bottom to create the same general shape as a natural nest. Use a twist-tie or string to tie the bottom shut so the bag holds its shape. Done!

About 5 minutes a year work (to hang it and take it down) and no wasps! That's Lazy genius!

Tips: I bought an inexpensive wall bracket hanger to place in an inconspicuous place close to my deck to hang this 'decoy wasp nest' from - it's under the eaves and out of the wind and rain. Ideally, the nest should be at about 6-8 foot height to look more 'natural' to the wasps - and to keep the paper safe, hang it in a sheltered spot. (I have lost 2 to storms and you do need to take it down in about mid-fall putting it back up in spring) Hang it near your eating area to provide better protection.

This was the last brand I bought...  I like how these look (unobtrusive and neat). It was two to a pack and inexpensive. I lost them to storms so now I know better! Found on: www.natural-insect-control.com

Get Crackin'

Quiche, omelets, pies, cakes, french toast... it's very easy to go through eggs!

Hang onto those egg shells because they are gold for gardeners. You can put spent eggshells in a brown paper bag in a ventilated area (I have mine in the mudroom) and they will never mold or smell. You can smash up the eggshells and use them to compost calcium-loving shrubs and plants.

They can also be used to create a crushed eggshell ring around plants that are slug/snail prone since they don't like to crawl over the sharp eggshells to get to the tender plants shoots.

Don't you love it when frugal wisdom you learned from your parents really works?!

The Lazy fun is grabbing the hammer and smashing them up in their paper bag before I take them out to the garden. Great way to take out your frustration and it only takes a few minutes!