how to get rid of wasps in potted plants

How to Get Rid of Wasps in Potted Plants – A Complete Guide

Wasps can be a real nuisance when they start building nests in your potted plants. Their papery nests tucked into the soil can often go unnoticed until suddenly you have a full-blown wasp infestation buzzing around your patio. Getting rid of wasp nests in containers takes some strategy and knowledge about what attracts them in the first place. With the right techniques, you can banish wasps from your pots in effective and eco-friendly ways.

Why Wasps Love Nesting in Potted Plants

Understanding what draws wasps to potted plants helps you deter nests proactively:

• Ready-made shelter – The soil provides an ideal place for wasps to construct nests protected from rain, wind, and sun

• Hidden cavities – Drainage holes at the bottom of pots allow wasps easy entry to tuck nests inside out of view.

• Camouflage – Foliage and flowers conceal nests that are hard for predators to spot.

• Building materials – Wasps chew up fibers from potting soil to manufacture the papery gray nest structures.

• Water source – Moist potting mix and watering provide wasps with a convenient drinking source.

Signs Wasps Have Infested Pot Plants

Be vigilant for these common clues wasps may be nesting in soil of containers:

• More buzzing around the plant, especially very early and late in the day when wasps are most active.

• Dirt scattered on the soil surface as wasps excavate underground nesting tunnels.

• Tiny round holes in the soil that serve as entry/exit points for wasps.

• Aggressive wasps swarming when you water or touch the plant.

• Visible wasp traffic flying in and out of drainage cavities underneath pots.

• Pile of insect body parts near nest holes that wasps have discarded after eating soft innards.

Catching an infestation early before it multiplies is key for safety and easier removal. Do frequent container inspections to spot nests in initial stages.

Dangers of Wasp Nests in Potted Plants

While a couple visiting wasps are no big threat, established nests pose risks making removal a priority:

• More wasps means higher chance of painful stings while gardening.

• Pets or curious kids can accidentally disturb nests and get attacked.

• Colonies can rapidly expand, spreading to infest more nearby potted plants.

• Large nests block water and nutrients from reaching plant roots.

• Extensive tunnels dug through soil damage fragile plant root systems.

• Some wasps eat ripening fruit, damaging tomatoes, squash and other edible plants.

Taking quick action to eliminate nests restricts wasp populations and prevents hazards.

When to Remove Nests – Day vs Night

Carefully consider when you tackle wasp nest removal:

• Night removal is safer since wasps are far less active after dark. But nests are harder to locate at night.

• Day removal makes it easier to identify nest spots and entry holes. But you risk aggravating active wasps and getting stung.

For minimal risk of rousing wasps, do removals after sundown when colonies are docile inside nests. Scout for exact nest placement during daytime first.

Organic Wasp Deterrents for Potted Plants

As a non-toxic first line of defense, deter wasps from settling into containers with natural repellents:

• Place pungent flowers like marigolds, lavender or geraniums in pots’ soil.

• Sprinkle strong smelling dried herbs such as mint, thyme and oregano atop the soil.

• Put mesh screens over drainage cavities to obstruct wasp access through bottom holes.

• Mist pots and soil with essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass or tea tree oil mixed in water.

• Grow plants like catnip, rue and wormwood that research shows can repel wasps.

These organic options may prevent initial nests but are less effective at evicting established colonies.

Safe DIY Methods to Remove Wasp Nests from Pots

When you have an active nest, safer DIY removal tactics include:

• Spray soapy water directly into nest entrances after dark – the soap damages wasp breathing and flight.

• Pour boiling water from an electric kettle into nest holes at night – scalding heat instantly kills wasps.

• Prune away sections of nest protruding from the soil at night – drop clippings in soapy water to finish off wasps.

• Seal pots overnight with plastic wrap – traps emerging wasps inside that eventually die.

• Make natural insecticidal garlic spray – blend garlic cloves and mineral oil then spray on nests.

Take safety measures donning protective clothing, gloves and goggles since some wasps may escape. Only apply methods after dark when wasp activity has ceased.

Professional Exterminator Removal of Wasp Nests in Pots

In challenging cases, hiring a pest control expert may be the best route:

• For nests deep inside large pots that are hard to access fully.

• If you have severe allergies to wasp stings.

• When expensive or sentimental plants are at risk of collateral damage.

• For enormous nests with hundreds of aggressive wasps present.

• If nests are very high up near eaves above hanging potted plants.

Exterminators have commercial pesticides and powered sprayers that can eliminate hard-to-reach nests safely. They’ll also have proper protective gear for large infestations.

Preventing Future Wasps Nests in Potted Plants

The key to keeping wasps away for good is altering containers to be less appealing nest spots:

• Use thicker clay or concrete pots rather than flimsy plastic more prone to burrowing.

• Add a sand layer on top of potting soil to obstruct nest excavation.

• Seal drainage cavities completely with fine mesh screens.

• Refresh the top couple inches of potting mix monthly to disturb initiated nest tunnels.

• Cultivate strongly scented herbs and flowers that wasps don’t like.

• Position pots in shadier spots – wasps favor sunny warm locations for nest building.

• Avoid overwatering – excess moisture encourages thirsty wasps to nest.

With diligence and deterrents, you can banish wasps from potted plants for good. Don’t tolerate pesky wasps on your patio – use these smart organic and conventional removal strategies. Your container plants will thank you!