Get Rid of Wasp Nest in Patio Umbrella
If you spot a nest inside of your patio umbrella, you’re likely dealing with wasps and not bees. This is based on the different areas that wasps like to build their nests. You have the option to knock down the nest to remove it, but you could end up angering some wasps that come back to get inside their nest right at the time in the evening that you’re sitting down on your patio to relax for the evening.
Do you have wasps inside of your patio umbrella? We have some information that can help you safely remove the nest while preventing this problem in the future.
Why Do Wasps Nest in Umbrellas?
Wasps aren’t super picky when it comes to the location of their nest. They want to choose an area that is away from the outside elements. Rain isn’t something that they like to be around, so your patio umbrella makes perfect sense for their home.
The problem is, they don’t know that you’ll be periodically opening and closing the umbrella when needed.
How to Get Rid of Wasps in Your Patio Umbrella
You may be tempted to grab a broom and knock that wasp nest down, but this isn’t a good idea for the most part. Knocking down the nest will incite some pretty aggressive behavior from the wasps that are now rendered homeless by your actions.
You don’t really have the option of moving the nest to another location away from your patio, so your best method of removal is to get a pesticide spray made, especially for wasps.
Spray the nest late in the day when you see many wasps going back into the nest. This allows you to kill as many of them as possible without them coming at you. Depending on how big their nest has gotten before you noticed it, you may need to reapply the product to the nest the next day to kill all of the wasps.
Once all activity has ceased, you can remove the nest. It’s a good idea to wash off your patio umbrella before you start using your patio again. You may have a buildup of pesticides on the umbrella.
How to Keep Wasps Out of a Umbrellas
If you find that your patio umbrella is prone to being the perfect home for wasps and other insects, there are a few different things that you can do to prevent a wasp problem in the future.
If you have a shed or a garage nearby, you can put your umbrella away when it’s not in use. If wasps don’t have access to the umbrella when you’re not around, then it’s very unlikely that you’re going to form a nest.
There are also preventative products that you can use to prevent wasps from building a nest. Citronella is a natural oil that keeps insects away without the use of chemicals. You can place a few citronella candles around your patio or right on your table outside. Light them when you’re going to be outside enjoying this space.
You can also avoid wearing strong perfumes when you’re outside. Flowery scents can attract wasps, and they may figure out that your umbrella is a great place to make their nest.
Types of Wasps That Nest in Umbrellas
Any of the wasp varieties that form paper nests are the more likely culprit when it comes to building a nest in your umbrella outside. Their nests are formed by the cellulose created from nearby trees and the saliva of the wasps.
These nests are generally built under your home’s eaves or inside a safe structure like your patio umbrella. Your patio umbrella isn’t likely to be a target for a wasp species like the ground wasp.
If you have found a very large wasp nest inside your patio umbrella and you’re very nervous about taking care of the problem on your own, call in a professional to help you get rid of the wasps. They can also give you some personalized tips for preventing a wasp problem in the future.
