Essential oils have a lot of good things in store for us: They envelop us with their wonderful scent, have various healing properties - and keep annoying insects such as wasps away. However, how effective they are depends on how and under what circumstances they are used.
Citronella oil repels wasps
What ethereal scents wasps loathe
Although ethereal scents are intense, they are usually extremely pleasant for our human nose. Wasps, on the other hand, can't stand some of them at all. They generally have an aversion to citrusy, herbaceous and tart odors in particular. Wasp repellent essential oils are accordingly for example:
- lavender oil
- basil oil
- Lemongrass Oil (Citronella)
- clove oil
How to use the oils?
Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways to control wasps. For example through:
- Allow to evaporate in the fragrance lamp
- Spray via water disperser
- Rubbing furniture and possible nesting sites
- Rub your own body
aroma lamp
A classic fragrance lamp effectively releases the aromatic substances of the oils and spreads them in the air. A positive side effect of this method is the open flame. Fire and smoke also have a wasp-repellent effect.
water disperser
You can also mix some oil with water and spread it in the air using a spray disperser. The practical thing about this method is that it can be used in a very targeted and situational way, i.e. when the wasps really come.
Rubbing furniture and possible nesting sites
In order to be able to relax at the seating area in the gazebo, it can also help to rub essential oil into the furniture. It is best absorbed by wooden furniture. In places where wasp queens might choose to nest in spring - such as niches in the roof beams - essential oil can also have a deterrent effect.
Rub yourself in
If you absolutely cannot have it when a wasp settles on your own arm, you can also rub the oil yourself. However, it is important for allergy sufferers to dilute the oil beforehand.
When essential oils don't help
The wasp repellent effect of essential oils is there, but only to a limited extent. In certain situations, their scents cannot do anything. For example, at the dinner table full of sweet and savory delicacies or with existing nests.