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Wasps

Keep Bees and Wasps Away Naturally: A Guide to Repellent Plants

by Gregory April 20, 2024

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Bees, Flowers, and the Plants That Deter Them

Introduction

Bees and flowers are a natural pair, but for some people, bees can be a nuisance. If you’re looking for ways to keep bees away from your yard or garden, using plants is a safe and effective solution.

Do Bees Dislike Certain Flowers?

You may be disappointed to learn that there aren’t many flowers that bees actively avoid. In fact, most flowers go to great lengths to attract bees because they’re essential for pollination. Without pollination, flowers can’t produce the seeds that will grow into next year’s plants.

Plants That Deter Bees and Wasps

While there aren’t many plants that specifically repel bees, there are a few that can help discourage them. Wormwood (Artemisia) is one of the few plants that has been shown to deter wasps. Other plants that may help include mint, eucalyptus, and citronella.

Incorporating Non-Flowering Plants

Since there aren’t many flowering plants that repel bees, one option is to incorporate non-flowering plants into your landscape. Evergreen shrubs and various foliage plants with insignificant blooms can be effective in deterring bees.

Strategic Placement of Flowering Plants

If you do have flowering plants, place them further away from the areas where you spend the most time. This will help reduce the likelihood of bees coming into contact with you.

Other Plants That Deter Insects

While the focus of this article is on plants that deter bees and wasps, there are other plants that can help repel other annoying insects. For example:

Garlic and chives can help get rid of aphids.
Basil can help control flies and mosquitoes.
Mint can help deter ants.
Pennyroyal can help get rid of fleas.
Petunias can help control leafhoppers.

Additional Tips for Keeping Bees Away

In addition to using plants, there are other things you can do to help deter bees and wasps:

Avoid using bright colors and floral patterns in your outdoor decor.
Keep food and drinks covered when you’re outside.
Seal up any cracks or holes in your home or yard where bees or wasps could enter.
If you’re having a picnic or gathering outdoors, consider using insect repellent.

Conclusion

Keeping bees and wasps away from your yard or garden can be a challenge, but it’s possible with a little planning and effort. By using plants that deter bees and wasps, incorporating non-flowering plants, and following these additional tips, you can create a more enjoyable outdoor space for yourself and your family.

Wildlife Gardening

What’s Buzzing in Your Garden in April: A Guide to Garden Wildlife

by Gregory April 13, 2024

written by Gregory 2 minutes read

What’s Buzzing in Your Garden in April

Insects and Bees

April brings a flurry of insects to your garden. Look out for different types of bees, including bumblebees, mining bees, and hoverflies. Butterflies and moths are also making an appearance. Queen wasps are starting to emerge from hibernation, and they’re hungry for garden pests.

Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are waking up from their winter snooze. Help them out by providing meaty food and water. They’ll be busy building up their energy for breeding season.

Birds

Garden birds are busy feeding their young. One baby blue tit needs to eat up to 100 caterpillars a day! Plant native plants like foxglove and hawthorn to attract more natural food for them.

Red Mason Bees

Red mason bees are building their nests now. They use mud to create individual cells for their eggs. You can help them by providing a dish of mud or keeping a patch of ground well-watered.

Tadpoles

Tadpoles are growing fast in April. Frog tadpoles turn brown with gold speckles, while toad tadpoles stay black. Soon, they’ll start developing legs and eventually transform into frogs.

Queen Wasps

Queen wasps are busy building nests and laying eggs. They feed their young caterpillars, aphids, and other garden pests. Wasps actually help your plants by eating these pests.

Tips for Helping Garden Wildlife

Break bad habits like using pesticides and herbicides.
Plant a variety of native plants to attract insects and birds.
Create a hedgehog-friendly garden with dense undergrowth and compost heaps.
Put out food and water for emerging hedgehogs.
Provide a bee hotel for red mason bees.
Create a wildlife pond for tadpoles and other aquatic creatures.

Insects and Pests

Wasps: Beneficial Predators, Not Just Pests

by Donna January 23, 2024

written by Donna 4 minutes read

Wasps: Beneficial Predators with a Bad Reputation

Introduction

Wasps are often seen as pests that ruin picnics and sting people. However, these insects play a vital role in our ecosystem. They are natural pest controllers and pollinators. By understanding their lifecycle and behavior, we can learn to coexist with wasps and appreciate their benefits.

What Are Wasps?

Wasps are closely related to bees, but they are carnivores. There are over 7,000 species of wasps in the UK. Most wasps are solitary, meaning they live alone and build their own nests. However, some wasps are social, meaning they live in large colonies with a queen and worker wasps.

The Lifecycle of Wasps

Solitary Wasps: Solitary wasps mate and then build a small nest in which they lay eggs. The female wasp stocks the nest with insects, grubs, and spiders to feed her young. The female wasp dies after laying her eggs, and her young develop and emerge from the nest on their own.
Social Wasps: Social wasps live in colonies with a queen and worker wasps. The queen wasp lays eggs, and the worker wasps gather food to feed the grubs. In return for food, the grubs secrete a sugary solution that the worker wasps drink.

Wasps as Pest Controllers

Wasps are voracious predators of other insects, including caterpillars, aphids, and other garden pests. By eating these pests, wasps help to keep our gardens healthy and productive. Some solitary wasps even specialize in hunting a particular type of insect.

Wasps as Pollinators

Wasps also play a role in pollination. Some wasps have a close relationship with specific flowers, such as figworts and angelica. When these wasps visit the flowers to feed on nectar, they inadvertently transfer pollen between the flowers, helping them to reproduce.

Why Are Wasps Annoying?

Only a few species of wasps are responsible for the problems that we experience in summer. These wasps are typically workers from social wasp colonies. In late summer, when the queen wasp stops laying eggs, the worker wasps are no longer needed to feed the grubs. With no job to do, these wasps become more active and start to seek out sugary foods. This is when they are most likely to come into contact with humans and cause problems.

How to Deter Wasps

There are several things you can do to deter wasps from your home and garden:

Avoid leaving sugary foods and drinks unattended.
Keep your garbage cans covered.
Avoid wearing perfume or scented products in the garden.
Hang a fake wasp nest in your garden.
Plant wasp-repelling plants, such as mint, basil, and lavender.

How to Remove a Wasp Nest

If wasps are nesting in your home or garden, it is important to remove the nest. However, it is best to leave this task to a professional. Wasps can be aggressive when they feel threatened, and it can be dangerous to try to remove the nest yourself.

Conclusion

Wasps are beneficial insects that play an important role in our ecosystem. By understanding their lifecycle and behavior, we can learn to coexist with wasps and appreciate their benefits. By taking simple steps to deter wasps, we can reduce the likelihood of being stung and enjoy our gardens without fear.

Insects and Beneficials

Wasps: Beneficial Pollinators and Predators in Your Garden

by Gregory November 4, 2023

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Wasps: Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

Introduction

Wasps are often seen as pests, but they play a crucial role in our ecosystem as pollinators and predators of harmful insects. Understanding their behavior and importance can help us appreciate these misunderstood creatures.

Do Wasps Pollinate?

Yes, wasps are pollinators! Despite their reputation for stinging, some species of wasps are essential for pollinating certain plants, including figs. Wasps visit flowers to feed on nectar, and in the process, they inadvertently transfer pollen from one flower to another, aiding in fertilization and fruit production.

Wasps vs. Bees: Identifying the Pollinators

Wasps and bees belong to the same insect order, Hymenoptera, but they have distinct physical characteristics that help us differentiate them. Wasps are typically hairless or have very little hair, while bees are covered in fuzzy hairs. Wasps also have a slender waist, whereas bees have a chubbier appearance. Additionally, bees have stout legs, while wasps have long, dangling legs.

Social Wasps: The Main Pollinators

Social wasps, such as yellow jackets and paper wasps, are the most active pollinators among wasps. They live in colonies with a queen and workers that perform specialized tasks. By the end of summer, social wasps focus on nectar sources to supplement their diet, which helps them continue pollinating.

Wasps as Beneficial Predators

In addition to pollinating, wasps are voracious predators that help control populations of harmful insects. They prey on caterpillars, aphids, flies, and other pests that can damage our gardens and crops. Some species of wasps even lay eggs on insect larvae, which hatch and feed on the host, further reducing pest populations.

Attracting Pollinating Wasps to Your Garden

To encourage pollinating wasps to visit your garden, provide them with attractive flowers that offer shallow blooms. Wasps prefer white and yellow flowers since they can’t see the color red but can detect UV light. Avoid using pesticides, as they can harm beneficial insects like wasps.

Repelling Wasps from Your Home

While wasps are beneficial in the garden, it’s understandable to want to keep them away from your home and outdoor living spaces. To discourage wasps from nesting near your home, keep the area clean and free of debris. Remove any ripe or fallen fruit that can attract them. You can also purchase a decoy wasp nest, such as a Waspinator, to deter wasps from building nests in your yard.

Conclusion

Wasps are multifaceted creatures that provide important pollination and pest control services in our environment. By understanding their behavior and implementing eco-friendly management strategies, we can coexist with these beneficial insects while enjoying the fruits of their labor in our gardens.

Gardening

Summer Gardening Problems? Here Are 12 Easy Solutions

by Gregory March 13, 2020

written by Gregory 4 minutes read

Summer Gardening Problems Solved

Introduction

Summer is a great time to enjoy your garden, but it can also bring its share of challenges. From pests and diseases to weeds and heat, there’s always something that can go wrong. But don’t worry, with a little know-how, you can overcome these problems and keep your garden looking its best all season long.

Insect Attacks

Insects are one of the most common problems gardeners face in the summer. Aphids, whiteflies, and other pests can quickly damage your plants, leaving them looking wilted and unhealthy. To prevent insect attacks, try planting a variety of plants in your garden. This will make it more difficult for pests to find their favorite food source. You can also encourage beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, into your garden. These insects eat aphids and other pests, helping to keep your plants healthy.

Plants Stopping Flowering

If your plants are not flowering, there could be a few reasons. One possibility is that they are not getting enough sunlight. Make sure your plants are getting at least six hours of sunlight per day. Another possibility is that your plants are not getting enough water. Water your plants deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Finally, your plants may not be getting enough nutrients. Fertilize your plants according to the package directions.

Brown Lawn

A brown lawn is a common problem in the summer, especially during hot, dry weather. To prevent your lawn from turning brown, water it deeply and regularly. You should also raise the height of cut on your lawn mower. This will help the grass to retain moisture and stay green.

Moles

Moles can be a nuisance in the garden. They can damage your lawn and flower beds by digging tunnels and mounds. To get rid of moles, you can try using traps or repellents. You can also try planting certain plants that moles dislike, such as daffodils and marigolds.

Wilting Plants

Wilting plants are a sign that they are not getting enough water. Water your plants deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. You can also try mulching around your plants to help retain moisture.

Wasps

Wasps can be a nuisance in the garden, especially in the late summer when they are looking for food. To prevent wasps from becoming a problem, keep your garden clean of fallen fruit and other food sources. You can also try hanging up wasp traps or fake wasp nests.

Green Pond

A green pond is a sign of algae growth. Algae can make your pond look unsightly and can also be harmful to fish and other aquatic life. To prevent algae growth, keep your pond clean of debris and make sure it has plenty of plants. You can also try using an algaecide to kill algae.

Rabbits and Deer

Rabbits and deer can damage your garden by eating your plants. To prevent rabbits and deer from becoming a problem, you can try fencing your garden or using repellents. You can also try planting plants that rabbits and deer do not like, such as lavender and rosemary.

Mildew and Blackspot on Roses

Mildew and blackspot are two common fungal diseases that can affect roses. To prevent these diseases, make sure your roses are getting plenty of sunlight and air circulation. You can also try using a fungicide to kill the fungus.

Weeds

Weeds are a common problem in any garden. To prevent weeds from taking over, try planting your beds more densely so that there is less space for weeds to grow. You can also try mulching around your plants to help suppress weeds.

Greenhouse Overheating

Greenhouses can get very hot in the summer, which can damage your plants. To prevent your greenhouse from overheating, make sure you have enough ventilation. You can also try using blinds or whitewash to block out the sun.

Birds Eating Fruit

Birds can be a nuisance in the garden, especially when they are eating your fruit. To prevent birds from eating your fruit, try covering your fruit trees and bushes with netting. You can also try using bird repellents.