There are many tricks and remedies against annoying wasps. Home remedies are particularly common and are usually the most nature and animal friendly. However, the effectiveness thing is rather poor. But lemon can definitely help – in a variety of variations.
How can lemon be used against wasps?
Lemon helps against wasps by cutting it open and peppering it with cloves to release lemony smells that deter wasps. Alternatively, lemon verbena or lemongrass oil (citronella) can be used, as both also have lemony aromas.
Wasps and citrus smell
Where many of us humans lift our noses with pleasure, wasps are more likely to say no thanks. This is the case with some smells. For example, with herbaceous, aromatic scents of essential oils or dry, bitter southern herbs such as lavender, thyme or oregano. But wasps also don't like citrusy, especially lemony smells. That's why many expulsion methods rely on a lemony odor barrier. For example in the form of:
- Sliced lemon (possibly studded with cloves)
- Lemon Verbena
- Lemongrass oil (citronella)
All of these variants spread a more or less intense and slightly different colored lemon smell. All of them have a certain effect and can be selected depending on your own smell preference.
Lemon half
The cut lemon is very simple and widely used as a home remedy. It is laid out with the cut half facing upwards so that the citrus-aromatic vapors are released as unhindered as possible. This works more effectively in warm temperatures, but the fruit then dries out more quickly. If you stick a few cloves into the cut side, the aromatics will be specifically extracted from the pulp. In addition, the sweet, spicy smell of cloves is also unpleasant for wasps.
Lemon Verbena
What you can also try to drive away wasps is lemon verbena. The plant, which comes from South America, exudes a strong, herbaceous lemon scent and can be quite unpleasant for wasps. On the one hand, you benefit from the lemon verbena through its aromatic scent, and on the other hand, you can also use it to brew a wonderful home tea.
Lemongrass oil
Essential oils are generally relatively effective against wasps. You can let it evaporate in an aroma lamp and rub it on your garden furniture or your own skin. The essential oil of lemongrass is mainly sold under the name citronella oil and deters not only wasps but also mosquitoes. Because of its scent, which is popular with our noses, citronella is also an ingredient in many room fragrance or hygiene products.
Don't expect too much
For all anti-wasp agents that rely on odor barriers, it must be remembered that their effectiveness is only moderate and, above all, depends on the situation. This doesn't stop them from having a table set with lemonade glasses, fruit cakes and sausage plates.
