The ginger root is a true all-rounder: Whether for refining dishes or as a home remedy for a wide variety of ailments – the popular tuber has it all. But can ginger also repel wasps and if so, how? We explain!
Ginger against wasps
Ginger roots are not only convincing in terms of taste, but are also extremely healthy. This is mainly because the tubers are anti-inflammatory and at the same time stimulate the immune system. Especially for colds, a homemade ginger tea can provide relief and promote the healing process. Amateur gardeners can also take advantage of the smell of ginger, because it is said to help drive away wasps. This is because the insects apparently do not like the smell and accordingly avoid the “area” around it. To drive away the troublemakers with ginger roots, it is best to proceed as follows:
- Freshly cut open ginger bulb
- place ginger slices in a bowl
- Lay out the bowl on the terrace or balcony
Ginger syrup
Another control option would be to kill the wasps with a wasp trap. For this purpose, you can use, for example, a jam jar, which you fill halfway with water. Then add an attractant, such as ginger syrup, and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. The insects are attracted and partly “fought” by this, but this method has two disadvantages: First, most likely only older and weaker animals will fall into the trap. Secondly, around 98 percent of all wasp species are protected by law and therefore may not be killed. Although the insects can be quite annoying, the troublemakers are extremely valuable for the ecosystem:
- help with pollination
- pollinate even when it rains
- hunt other insects
- natural enemy of mosquitoes, aphids and spiders
A better alternative for the application of ginger against wasps, is in a live trap. To do this, put the ginger syrup on a paper towel and place it, instead of the liquid, in the trap.
Note: Since wasps like to hunt aphids, you should always check plants for infestation!
Alternative home remedies
First and foremost, odors attract the beneficial insects, with sweet foods being particularly enticing to them. Of course, if you are having a leisurely meal outdoors, you can take advantage of this and place a bowl of sweet fruit a little away from the table. Alternatively, it is possible to keep the insects away by using other smells. For this purpose, the scents of the following plants have proven especially effective:
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Lemon balm