How To Repel Wasps Using One Natural Fragrance They Can't Stand

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Having annoying, stinging wasps invading your outdoor space or home is a terrifying experience for most, but you may be able to repel wasps naturally with the help of one common essential oil. Peppermint oil has long been suggested on social media and by online pest control blogs as an effective solution against wasps and other insects due to its strong scent. Though natural, homemade deterrents are sometimes myths, science has shown that peppermint essential oils can have an impact on wasp behavior. A 2013 study looked at how different essential oils performed at repelling social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Several essential oils, including peppermint oil, were able to successfully repel both paper wasps and yellowjackets thanks to these pets finding the scent unbearable. You can use it to deter wasps by combining it with dish soap and water in a spray bottle.

Peppermint oil has been shown to be an essential oil that can help keep pests out of your home and garden. Another study published in Molecules in 2023 discussed how peppermint oil can be used against flies, mosquitoes, and ants, and found that it could also be effective against black bean aphids. While peppermint oil is capable of repelling certain insects and wasps, the concentration of the essential oils is a vital component in scientific studies. When using peppermint essential oil to keep wasps away from your patio, consider how strong your solution is, where you're spraying it, and how often you might need to reapply to keep it working effectively. If you have continued issues with wasps building nests in or on your home, it's best to contact a pest control specialist.

While the minty fresh scent of peppermint oil may smell pleasing to you, this pungent fragrance is part of the reason why wasps don't want to come near this essential oil. The compounds within the peppermint essential oil that give it that signature scent are likely what repels the wasps. In a 2014 study, the compounds within essential oils known as volatiles were tested for their capabilities as wasp deterrents. The menthol and menthone found in peppermint oil helped to repel wasps, and this is likely what helps to keep them away when you use this essential oil as a natural repellent.

There are commercial wasp sprays for sale that contain peppermint and other essential oils, like EcoSmart Wasp and Hornet Killer at Home Depot for $15. Alternatively, you can make your own peppermint oil spray to repel wasps from wood and other areas. Combine about 15 drops of the essential oil with a little bit of dish soap in a spray bottle and fill with water. Spritz your solution anywhere you've seen wasps hanging out, such as on windowsills, around your exterior doors, or on the railings of your deck. When you use your peppermint oil outdoors as a wasp control method, you'll probably have to reapply it often. As the essential oils are washed away by the rain or evaporate, the smell will fade with the oil and stop working as well.