We get this question a lot:
“Can you spray my whole yard so bees and wasps won’t come around at all this year?”
It’s understandable — no one wants stinging insects ruining their outdoor space. But the honest answer is: there’s no way to completely stop bees and wasps from flying onto your property. They’re wild insects, and they can travel anywhere they want.
That said, there are proven ways to reduce their presence, discourage nesting, and keep your property less attractive to them. Here’s how:
1. Remove What Attracts Them
Bees and wasps are drawn to food, water, and shelter. You can make your property less appealing by removing these attractants:
• Keep trash cans tightly sealed and clean up food or drink spills — especially sugary ones like soda or fruit juice.
• Avoid leaving pet food outside, especially in warm weather.
• Relocate or limit flowering plants near gathering areas if you’re trying to avoid bee activity.
• Eliminate standing water in birdbaths, buckets, clogged gutters, or plant trays. Bees and wasps need water just like any other creature.
2. Seal Up Common Nesting Spots
Wasps often build nests in sheltered areas like roof eaves, attic vents, and sheds. While you can’t stop them from trying, you can make it harder for them to succeed:
• Seal cracks and gaps in siding, soffits, decks, and sheds.
• Use fine mesh screens over attic vents and other small openings.
• Inspect early in the season (spring) to catch small nests before they grow.
• Remove starter nests when they’re still small — this is the best time to prevent a full colony from developing.
3. Use Wasp Traps
Wasp traps are one of the simplest and most effective tools for reducing wasp populations — especially when used early in the season.
In spring, fertilized wasp queens emerge from hibernation and begin searching for new nesting sites. Hanging traps during this time can catch these queens before they establish a colony, potentially preventing entire nests from forming later in the summer.
Traps are baited with sweet attractants and work by luring wasps inside, where they become trapped and eventually die. While they won’t eliminate all wasps, they can significantly reduce activity when used consistently and strategically around your property.
For best results, place traps around the perimeter of your yard or near known nesting areas — but not too close to where people gather.
Find our DIY Wasp & Hornet Trap post HERE
4. Treatments Only Work on Active Nests — Not Prevention
This is important to understand: there is no spray that prevents wasps or bees from nesting in the first place.
Unlike ants or spiders, you can’t pre-treat a property to block bee or wasp nests entirely. Treatments can only be applied after a nest is located and active. That’s why being proactive and observant is key.
Spotting a nest early allows you to have it removed before it becomes large and dangerous. If you see repeated wasp activity in one area, it’s worth calling in a professional to inspect and safely remove the colony if one is found.
Need help dealing with wasps or bees?
So, while we can’t promise a 100% bee and wasp-free property all season long, we can absolutely help reduce the risk, deter new nests, and safely remove any that show up.
We offer thorough inspections, nest removals, and helpful advice on keeping your property less attractive to stinging insects. Contact us today to schedule a visit or ask a question — we’re here to help.
