Does Vinegar Help Against Wasps?

Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 09:00 pm

Vinegar can be used as a natural remedy to deter wasps, but its effectiveness may vary. Here are a few ways vinegar can be used to help against wasps:

1. Vinegar Traps:
   • Create a simple vinegar trap by filling a container with vinegar and adding a few drops of dish soap. The dish soap reduces the surface tension of the vinegar, making it more effective at drowning wasps.
   • Cover the container with plastic wrap or a lid, and poke small holes in it to allow wasps to enter.
   • Wasps will be attracted to the vinegar’s scent, enter the container, and be unable to escape.
2. Spray Repellent:
   • You can create a homemade wasp repellent spray by mixing equal parts of water and white vinegar.
   • Place the mixture in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where wasps tend to build nests or congregate.
   • Be cautious when using this spray as it may also deter other insects, including beneficial ones like bees.
3. Clean and Deter Nests:
   • If you’ve identified a wasp nest, you can use a solution of vinegar and water to clean the area.
   • After removing the nest, spray the area with the vinegar solution, as the scent may deter wasps from rebuilding in the same location.

While vinegar can be a helpful deterrent for wasps, it’s essential to note that it may not be a foolproof method, especially if you have a significant wasp infestation or a large nest. In such cases, it’s advisable to contact professional pest control services to ensure the safe and effective removal of the wasp nest.

Additionally, keep in mind that some wasp species can become more aggressive when they feel threatened. Therefore, when dealing with wasps, always exercise caution and consider your safety first. Wear protective clothing and use vinegar or other methods to deter them from your property or specific areas rather than engaging with them directly if possible.

Vinegar against wasps

However, a reasonable reason to expel wasps is already present when they bother people. With the help of various household remedies, the black and yellow flying insects can be quickly dealt with. The animals have a sensitive olfactory system. This peculiarity should be used to drive them away. Wasps are sensitive to incense, lemon with spiked cloves, lavender, basil and garlic.

In addition, animal friendly wasp repellent can also be done over overripe fruit, raw meat or a bowl of sugar water and likewise vinegar. Vinegar or vinegar smell does not drive away the small fliers, but they are magically attracted by it. Vinegar serves here rather as an attractant for wasps.

To use vinegar, the flight behavior of the insects should be carefully observed beforehand. After that, the attractant can then be placed at some distance, at least 10 meters from the terrace, but within the flight path. The wasps will retreat to this place and the terrace will be free of the pests.

Tip: Vinegar has proven very successful as an attractant. Bees and bumblebees find this odor off-putting and avoid the mixture. The vinegar should make up one third of the liquid.

Live trap

However, if all home remedies fail and the wasps continue to spread, then a wasp live trap can provide relief. This is a vessel specially prepared with attractants. This attracts and distracts the wasps. The small fliers are only caught here and can be released at a later time. Different substances can be used as bait such as

• Sugar water
• beer/ fruit juice (apple, orange)
• overripe grapes and of course
• vinegar

Build your own wasp trap

A wasp trap made from old PET bottles is a simple alternative to commercially available traps. You will need:

• an empty PET bottle without a lid
• bait solution
• scissors or box cutter

With just a few simple steps, such a wasp trap is quickly made. It does not even require much skill.

1. cut off the upper third of the bottle
2. place bait solution in the lower part
3. insert the cut end upside down into the bottle like a funnel
4. do not fasten funnel
5. tapered entrance becomes a trap
6. wasps can hardly get out again
7. can be released in a remote place
8. easy cleaning
9. can be used several times

Bait solution

For the live trap, a mixture with vinegar has proven effective in attracting wasps. The following is needed to prepare the bait solution

• a shot glass of vinegar
• a pinch of salt and
• 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar
• napkin or kitchen towel

All the ingredients must be mixed well. Then, a napkin, alternatively a kitchen towel, is soaked with this liquid and placed in the lower part of the PET bottle. Remains from the shot glass can be confidently still distributed on the napkin. Only now the trap must still be closed, as described above.

Correct placement

Of course, it is of little use if the live trap is located in the immediate vicinity of the dining table. The following should be taken into account when setting up the trap

• at least 5 to 10 meters distance to the dining table or terrace
• Set up against the direction of the wind
• otherwise wasps will be attracted by the scent of food
• at best set up several wasp traps

A release of the small fliers should take place if possible, if it becomes already somewhat dark. The wasps are then somewhat calmer and do not react with increased aggressiveness. Only the funnel must now be removed slowly and carefully from the bottle.

Tip: A wasp live trap is also suitable for setting up indoors, should the black and yellow insects ever stray into the house.

Why a live trap?

The trade offers different variations of wasp traps. However, here the wasps find an agonizing death by drowning. According to information by the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), it usually only affects weak animals, the active and strong ones can partially escape. Furthermore it should be considered

• Wasps are useful
• eat pests
• when dying they secrete a pheromone
• thereby attracting further aggressive conspecifics

A good alternative here is the use of a live trap, then man and also wasp can be happy.

However, there is no patent remedy for wasp defense. Good information, precautions and proper behavior can make coexistence with wasps peaceful. It should always be kept calm and the wasps should not be irritated unnecessarily, for example by hitting them, spraying them with water or blowing them away. Wasps are then just like people, they can react quite irritated.