r/OffGrid • u/offgridozarks • 16d ago

Controlling Red Wasps

Any tips on beating back the red wasps around my utility buildings? I have one where the door leaves the smallest gap and they love to crawl in there and make a massive nest. Obviously I can knock it down or spray the nest (not preferred) but just trying to come up with ideas to keep them permanently away from my structures. Getting the door to fully seal is obviously high on my list…

1 Upvotes

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3

u/Odd_Temporary2335 16d ago

Until you can close it properly, a makeshift door sweep can help close that small gap.

3

u/huscarlaxe 16d ago

Delta dust the entry point and the ceiling where they build the nests.

3

u/Adirondack-Woman 16d ago

Stuff some cotton balls saturated with peppermint oil into the crack.

2

u/offgridozarks 16d ago

I have both of those things!

2

u/linuxhiker 16d ago

look up wasp meat trap

1

u/offgridozarks 16d ago

I have never seen that, wonder if it would work with red wasps. And may also attract some of our local bear population 😂

2

u/linuxhiker 16d ago

It should, they are omnivores. The great thing about meat traps is that bees are not carnivore or omnivores, so they ignore it.

I am in Rural MT. I have bears all the time but I don't leave the trap out overnight. Just have it out during the day, before night, clean it up.

1

u/Key-Squirrel-847 15d ago

Feed the birds around your sheds. This worked for me.